Image Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Candace Parker Receives Rare WNBA Honors as Chicago Sky Pay Tribute to Her With Second Jersey Retirement

Candace Parker is now the only second player in WNBA to have her jersey retired from multiple franchises.

Image Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Former Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker received rare WNBA honors. She became the only second WNBA player to have her jersey retired by multiple franchises. The Chicago Sky raised her No. 3 jersey to the rafters on Monday, August 25, during the halftime ceremony of the Sky’s 79-74 loss to the Las Vegas Aces. Notably, Parker played for three franchises, including the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces in her 15-year-long career. She has also won one championship each with all three of them.

The ceremony saw the presence of her high school coach Andy Nussbaum, Jennifer Hudson, and her former Sky teammate Kahleah Copper. Notably, Parker is one of the most enduring figures in the WNBA with a staggering resume. Apart from being a three-time WNBA champion, she won two WNBA MVPs and seven All-Star appearances. Not only this, but Parker is also the only player in the history of the league to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.

Candace Parker walked out with her son for her jersey retirement ceremony 💙 pic.twitter.com/4STDpnSNxh
— espnW (@espnW) August 26, 2025

Candace Parker Thanks Chicago Sky in Emotional Speech

Parker, who walked out on the court along with her young son, thanked the entire Chicago Sky organization. In her speech, she said, “My heart will always belong to the state of Illinois, the city of Naperville and the city of Chicago.” Parker, who grew up in suburban Naperville added, “It’s not just where I’m from, it’s the core of who I am.” Not only this, but to show her affection, Parker wore jeans with images of her teammates on them.

Candace Parker gets a standing ovation in her hometown ahead of her jersey retirement with the @chicagosky pic.twitter.com/8WeNftGGtn
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 26, 2025

In her speech, she added, “I’d like to thank all of you all. To my parents and having the audacity to tell a little girl in a world that little girls themselves to be bigger, to be bolder. To my brothers who are still my age to this day. My family, to my coaches, to my trainers, to doctors, teachers, mentors, opponents, teammates, the entire Sky organization.”

No. 3 is officially in the rafters in Chicago FOREVER 💐

Candace Parker, the hometown hero. pic.twitter.com/ZSCgXycOlG
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 26, 2025

Notably, the Sky’s 2021 title is the only championship title the franchise won since the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series win. In their WNBA championship year, Parker led the Sky in rebounds. She also finished second to Kahleah Copper in scoring. In addition, the 39-year-old holds franchise records in playoffs for most double-doubles, blocks and rebounds.

Candace Parker

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.