Two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker retires at 38

Candace Parker, one of the greatest women's basketball players ever, announced her retirement on social media on Sunday.

"I promised I'd never cheat the game, and that I'd leave it in a better place than I came into it," Parker, 38, posted on Instagram. "The competitor in me always wants one more, but it's time. My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it."

Parker joined the Las Vegas Aces in February 2023 on a one-year contract. The last time she played in an official game was in July 2023, before she underwent surgery to fix a foot fracture. Though she re-signed with the team in February on a one-year deal, the veteran revealed that her foot "isn't cooperating."

"It's no fun playing in pain (10 surgeries in my career); it's no fun knowing what you could do, if only...it's no fun hearing 'she isn't the same' when I know why, it's no fun accepting the fact you need surgery AGAIN," Parker wrote in her post.

Parker had one of the most glorious careers of all female basketball players after winning a series of both team and individual honors including two NCAA championships, both as the Most Outstanding Player, three WNBA titles, two WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophies, two Olympic gold medals and a long list of WNBA All-Star, All-WNBA Teams and All-Defensive Teams selections.

"There's only one Candace Parker. One of one," the Aces' head coach Becky Hammon said. "There's not very many people that can say they're the first, but I would say that she's the first who just threw off the labels as a basketball player and was just a baller."

"Although the majority of her career was played in opposing uniforms, we were blessed to have her as part of our championship team a year ago," the Aces said in a statement. "We are saddened that she won't be a part of our three-peat aspirations, but we look forward to welcoming Candace back to Las Vegas as an Aces alum, and we can't wait to see what the next chapter in her life has to offer."