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WNBA Legend Candace Parker Reveals If She 'Resents' Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 10:27 PM ET

Before Caitlin Clark and this current generation of WNBA players took women's basketball to new heights, Candace Parker was the face of the league.

Parker, the No. 1 pick from the 2008 WNBA Draft, played for the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces during her career. She left the hardwood behind with three championships, seven All-Star appearances and two MVPs.

Since 2018, Parker has been covering the NBA and NCAA men's basketball for TNT. Of course, she offers her thoughts on the WNBA from time to time.

During an appearance on ESPN's "First Take" this Tuesday, Parker was asked about the future of the WNBA.

Parker made it clear that she doesn't resent Clark and all the other stars benefitting from the WNBA's rise in popularity.

"I'm asked so many times if I'm resentful in any type of way for where the WNBA is right now," Parker told Stephen A. Smith. "My job was to leave the game better than I came into it. You think Cheryl Miller was resentful of me that I had a league to play in? No, she's being the mentor she is and cheering on JuJu Watkins. I'm doing the same for Caitlin Clark and all the women in the WNBA."

Parker did share some of her complaints about the WNBA, with her main one being how the focus isn't always on the product.

"Now everybody has a Twitter finger. Everybody can have reach to the WNBA and make comments. But really the key is let’s keep it about basketball," Parker said. "That's my thing. When we do that, we're able to grow the game."

If we had to guess, Parker isn't the only former WNBA player who feels this way.

Do you think Parker has done a good job lifting up the next generation of WNBA stars?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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