Former Tennessee basketball starts Candace Parker and Christ Lofton at the NCAA college basketball game between Tennessee and South Carolina on Thursday, February 15, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.

'I’m Super Humbled': Candace Parker Reacts On LA Sparks Jersey Retirement Announcement

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 10:32 AM ET

On Thursday, the LA Sparks announced that they will be retiring Candace Parker’s No. 3 jersey in the coming 2025-26 WNBA season. The team announced on X that the retirement ceremony for Parker’s jersey will be held on June 29, when they face the team she previously played for, the Chicago Sky.

The three-time WNBA champion expressed her appreciation for her first WNBA team. She responded to the franchise’s announcement about commemorating her on Thursday’s episode of “NCAA Tip-Off” on TNT.

“I appreciate it,” Parker said. “Thirteen amazing years with the organization.

“Oftentimes, when I played in the Staples Center, you look up, and you see the Kareems, you see the Magics, you see the Kobes and to picture Parker next to that, it’s surreal. I’m super humbled by this experience, and I’m just super grateful.”

.@Candace_Parker: “…it’s surreal…I’m super humbled by this experience, and I’m just super grateful.”

‘Ace’ reacts to today’s announcement by the @LASparks about her jersey retirement later this June. https://t.co/9PH4yzrLsp pic.twitter.com/TK1NwXn1MI

— TNT Sports U.S. PR (@TNTSportsUS) March 27, 2025

Candace Parker is the third Sparks player to have her jersey retired by the organization, following Lisa Leslie (#9) and Penny Toler (#11). The WNBA legend played for the Sparks from 2008 until 2020 and made an impact during her stay there. She won the MVP and Rookie of the Year in her debut season, averaging 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks.

Parker won her second MVP honors during her sixth WNBA season, still with the Sparks. She averaged 17.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. She was also named a five-time All-Star as a member of the Sparks, and led the team to a championship in the 2016 season, earning the WNBA Finals MVP honors in the process.

Magic Johnson releases statement following announcement of Candace Parker’s jersey retirement

NBA legend and LA Sparks co-owner Magic Johnson is no stranger to Candace Parker’s influence on the team. Following the team’s announcement that they will be retiring her jersey, Magic issued a statement praising Parker.

“Candace Parker has left an indelible mark on the Los Angeles Sparks, not only as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court, but as a true ambassador of our franchise and women’s basketball as a whole, Johnson said.

Breaking: The Los Angeles Sparks will retire Candace Parker’s No. 3 jersey on June 29, sources told @ramonashelburne.

She becomes the third player to have her jersey retired by the franchise, joining Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie and former player and general manager Penny Toler. pic.twitter.com/6uHRTb7aiE

— ESPN (@espn) March 27, 2025

Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Candace’s Rising Stars general manager Candace Parker looks on during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Apart from commemorating her extraordinary career, the retirement of Parker’s #3 jersey, Magic said, will honor her history with the Sparks.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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