“I’m Going to Be Depressed”: Candace Parker’s WNBA Retirement Announcement Leaves Las Vegas Aces Fans in Tears

The Las Vegas Aces star has announced her retirement. Candace Parker posted on Instagram about her decision and the fans are in shock. 3x WNBA champion due to injury appeared only in 18 games in 2023. In February this year, she signed a one-year extension with the Aces after winning her third championship.

Candace Parker wrote “🎶Dear Summer “I know you gon miss me…” 🎶 I’m retiring, I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it. The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time. My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it…”

Candace Parker explained how her foot injury hasn’t healed yet, and was part of the decision of her retirement.  The Las Vegas team took to X to show their appreciation for their star. ” …The Las Vegas Aces family is thankful for the role Candace played in the 2023 WNBA championship season, and for giving all of us the opportunity to watch one of the GOATs of the game over the past two decades.” The fans of the game wrote in sweet message to honor Parker’s legacy.

Her 16-year career undoubtedly left a mark that young hoopers are proud to follow. Angel Reese who was drafted #7 in this year’s WNBA draft decided not to take up the #3 jersey for the Chicago Sky. Even though Parker was always super inspiring for Chi Barbie, she knew some of the #3 would be retired because of the contribution of Parker.

Fans love Candace Parker

Fans from all over the world started pairing in their respect for the 16-year veteran. A fan wrote how CP3 deserved a parade and a farewell tour. But understanding the selfless nature of Parker expressed “depressed for a while” for not being able to watch her play a few more times.

Parker had played the 2023 season with an injury but later also injured her right ankle and Achilles tendon. A fan couldn’t find words to describe and could only use crying emoticons to express.

Nobody could predict this sudden retirement announcement. Everybody felt she would come back stronger than before. She was not just a great WNBA player but also led the Lady Vols to back-to-back championships in the NCAA tournament. So fans were naturally expecting her to make a comeback.

The 38-year-old has already started her broadcasting career in 2018 for NBA on TNT, so there is no doubt she could continue with the analyst role.

Parker did win Rookie of the Year and MVP of the year in the same year which signifies her greatness.

Even though Candace Parker has decided to hang her boots, fans would resonate with the last few lines she wrote in her retirement post. “No matter how you prepare for it, you won’t be ready for the gap it leaves in your soul. Forgive me as I mourn a bit, but I’ll be back loving the game differently in a while.”