Candace Parker's No. 3 Jersey to Be Retired by Los Angeles Sparks on June 29

The Los Angeles Sparks will honor Candace Parker by retiring her No. 3 jersey on June 29, the team announced Thursday.

The ceremony will take place at halftime of the Sparks' home game against the Chicago Sky.

Parker, who played her first 13 WNBA seasons with the Sparks, retired from her playing career in 2024. She joins Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11) as the third player to have her number retired by the franchise.

The celebration will honor Parker's impact on "the franchise, the WNBA, and the game of basketball," the Sparks said. The on-court ceremony will feature appearances from Parker's former teammates and coaches, according to the team.

Magic Johnson, co-owner of the Sparks, called Parker "the best all-around player that has ever played in the WNBA" in the team's announcement.

Selected by the Sparks with the top pick of the 2008 draft, Parker went on to become the first and only player in WNBA history to be named both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.

Parker made history again in 2013 as the fifth WNBA player to receive multiple MVP honors and then picked up her first Finals MVP award while leading the Sparks to a championship in 2016. She was named Defensive Player of the Year during her final season with the franchise in 2020.

By the time Parker left to join her hometown Chicago Sky in 2021, she had earned the all-time franchise lead with 1,331 career assists.

“Holding the record for assists reminds me that basketball is never just about individual success — it’s about elevating others and being a part of something bigger than yourself," Parker said in a statement shared by the Sparks. "This jersey represents all the moments, all the connections, and all the love that got me here.”

Parker finished her Sparks career having averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists while adding 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals in 337 regular-season games.

After two seasons and a championship with the Sky, Parker finished out her playing career with one campaign for the Las Vegas Aces. She has since worked as an analyst and commentator for Turner Sports.