When Angel Reese was drafted to the Chicago Sky, she had to decide on what number to wear. Reese wore No. 10 throughout her college career at LSU and Maryland, but that would go to her new teammate Kamilla Cardoso, the third overall pick in the draft.
As Reese thought about her decision, she considered No. 3 briefly. That was the number that Candace Parker wore throughout her 16-year WNBA career, including two seasons in Chicago. Reese, who is 17 years younger than Parker, drew inspiration from her game growing up and thought it would be a good way to pay homage to the legend.
However, after some more thought, she decided against it and settled on No. 5. Reese explained that she figured a player of Parker’s status would soon have her jersey retired.
“I’ve always watched Candace Parker,” she told Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times. “She’s been an amazing player. A big guard. I always admired her. When I came here, since I couldn’t get 10, I wanted to get (No. 3). But I was like, ‘Wait, Candace is going to get her jersey retired very soon.’ So I knew she was gonna get her jersey retired soon because she’s an amazing player, amazing mom, amazing person. She’s always been super inspiring to me. I always will love her and watch her game.”
Parker, who won a championship with the Las Vegas Aces this past season, announced her retirement from the WNBA on Sunday. Her career accomplishments include two MVP awards, three WNBA titles, seven All-Star Game appearances and two Olympic gold medals.
She ends her career ninth all-time in scoring with 6,574 points, third with 3,467 rebounds, seventh with 1,634 assists and fifth with 639 blocks. Additionally, Parker was a two-time national champion in college at Tennessee under the legendary Pat Summitt.
Reese also won a national championship in college and will now look to follow in the footsteps of Parker as she embarks on her pro career. The women’s game has seen a surge in popularity of late thanks to her and other names such as Caitlin Clark, but she knows none of that would be possible had players like Parker not paved the path before her.
It was watching Parker and others that inspired Reese to follow her dream of playing basketball. Now as one career ends and another begins, she’ll hope she can do the same for the next generation.
More must-reads: