“You Can Absolutely Do Both Things”: Candace Parker’s Heroics With Chicago Sky & TNT Gigs Revealed, Courtesy of Lexie Brown

“The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time.” Those were the heartfelt words of Candace Parker in her retirement announcement earlier this year, a moment that took many by surprise, especially since she was set to help the Las Vegas Aces pursue a third consecutive championship. However, just a month after hanging up her jersey, Parker seamlessly transitioned to another role, stepping into the position of president of Adidas’ women’s basketball association. Even during her WNBA career, Parker balanced various commitments, a dedication that hasn’t gone unnoticed by her former Chicago Sky teammate.

Lexie Brown, now a star with the Los Angeles Sparks, appeared on Khristina Williams’ podcast, where the discussion naturally gravitated toward Candace Parker’s impressive legacy. When Williams asked Brown to reflect on her time sharing a locker room with the 2x MVP during her stint with the Chicago Sky, she couldn’t help but shower Parker with praise. “For me, I’m looking. I’m still looking at Candace like. It’s Candace Parker. It’s like someone I just get to watch and admire all the time,” said Brown.

The 29-year-old guard reminisced about her year alongside Parker at the Chicago Sky in 2021, a season that culminated in their only championship victory. Brown was particularly struck by Parker’s ability to balance her on-court performance with her off-court commitments, showcasing a level of professionalism and grace that left a lasting impression on her.

“Coming into a new city, coming into the new team, promising his championship and then also going to do her TNT thing. Like, I think that that was one of my favorite things about being with Candace. We would see her on TNT and then we would have practice in the morning and she’d be pulling up and she still have her lashes on from makeup that she had on during the show. So it was like. That’s really, really when I got motivated to. Oh, you can absolutely do both things at the same time and be great at both,” mentioned Brown.

Now playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, where Candace Parker spent the majority of her illustrious 13-season career—including leading the team to a championship in 2016—Lexie Brown feels a unique connection to her predecessor. Parker left the Sparks in 2020 to join the Chicago Sky, where she quickly made her mark by winning a championship in her first season.

Brown’s admiration for Parker underscores the profound impact Parker has had on her teammates, both on and off the court as her dedication to various off-court commitments, including her work with TNT, serves as a testament to the inspiration.

Candace Parker: From court to corporate

“Know IM A BUSINESS, man, not a businessman. This is the beginning … I’m attacking business, private equity, ownership (I will own both a NBA & WNBA team), broadcasting, production, boardrooms, beach volleyball, dominoes (sorry babe it’s going to get more real) with the same intensity & focus I did basketball,” Parker had mentioned while retiring and her words reflected the same intensity and focus she brought to the basketball court, revealing that her ambitions extend far beyond sports.

Even before her retirement, Candace Parker was already making waves off the court while playing for the Sparks. She joined the NBA on TNT as an analyst in 2018, bringing her sharp insights and basketball knowledge to a wider audience. Parker solidified her commitment to broadcasting by signing a multiyear extension in 2019, showcasing her ability to juggle both her playing career and her burgeoning media presence.

When Parker announced her retirement, the TNT crew paid heartfelt tribute to her, recognizing not just her remarkable contributions on the court but also her groundbreaking work as a basketball analyst. “Thank you for everything you’ve brought to the game,” remarked Kenny Smith, one of the co-hosts of Inside the NBA.

Parker also has her sights set on owning a team in the future, recently sharing her top city picks for where she’d like to make that dream a reality. As she steps into this exciting new chapter, her groundbreaking legacy in basketball will undoubtedly inspire generations to come, with Lexie Brown already mesmerized.