Just recently, Candace Parker surprised the sporting world when she announced her retirement from the WNBA. And just like NBA legend Magic Johnson and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese , New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart was shocked when she learned about the news.
Parker first entered the league as the Los Angeles Spark’ first overall pick in the 2008 Draft. Right from the get-go, the 6’4″ forward center out of Tennessee made an impact on her team by averaging 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game. As a result of her first year in the league, Parker became the first player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in 2008.
It wasn’t until 2016 when Parker won her first championship with the Sparks. Since then, she has won two more rings with the Chicago Sky in 2021 and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.
By the end of her legendary stint, Parker has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments in the WNBA. Apart from becoming a three-time champion, she was also named to seven All-Star Games, led the league in rebounding for three seasons, won the Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, and became the first individual to win rings with three different teams.
New York Liberty Star Breanna Stewart Shocked Over WNBA Legend Candace Parker’s Retirement
Much like everybody else, Breanna Stewart was caught by surprise when she learned of Parker’s retirement. Her reaction can be seen in a video shared by Bleacher Report on Instagram:
For her part, Stewart is a two-time MVP and Finals MVP who led the Seattle Storm to a pair of championships. She is also Rookie of the Year awardee in 2016, and named to five All-Star Games.
Even though Parker has left the WNBA, new stars are more than ready to fill the void, such as Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese. These women are set to make their debut next month to make up for Parker’s absence in the league.
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