Feb 14, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Candace Parker before the game during the 2025 NBA Rising Stars Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Sparks’ Candace Parker Earns 2026 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Induction

Originally posted on Los Angeles Sparks on SI
By Ben Geffner | Last updated Nov 12, 2025 3:25 PM ET

Former Los Angeles Sparks' star Candace Parker will be inducted into the 2026 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame class on June 27, per an Oct. 30 announcement.

Headed to the Hall!

Congrats to @Candace_Parker on being named to the 2026 @WBHOF Class. pic.twitter.com/8j5TdhgnTL
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) October 30, 2025

Parker joins WNBA icons Elena Delle Donne and Cheryl Reeve in receiving the honor. ESPN announcer Doris Burke will also be inducted.

"We are honored to pay tribute to eight distinguished legends of this exceptional sport," Hall of Fame president Dana Hart said, per release. "They exemplify the highest standards in women's basketball and have made substantial contributions to the sport, along with shaping the game's historical trajectory."

The announcement comes just months after league legends in Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore were inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in a Sept. 6 ceremony.

The Sparks are retiring Candace Parker’s No. 3 jersey today ⭐️

She’s the only WNBA player top 10 all-time in points, assists, rebounds and blocks pic.twitter.com/CVuC4GB0lJ
— ESPN (@espn) June 29, 2025

Parker will first be eligible for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2027 — after retiring from professional basketball last year.

She spent 13 illustrious seasons with the Sparks and led the purple and gold to a WNBA championship in 2016. Furthermore, Parker had her No. 3 jersey retired into the Crypto.com Arena rafters at halftime of the Sparks' June 29 contest against Chicago.