Magic Johnson Delivers Heartwarming Message for Candace Parker After WNBA Retirement

Eventually, Parker joined the big leagues when the Los Angeles Sparks selected her using the first pick in the 2008 Draft. She would go on to become the first player in league history to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player after averaging 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game.

While she dominated the WNBA in the years since, it wouldn’t be until 2016 when Parker won her first championship for the Sparks. The seven-time All-Star would achieve this feat two more times in her career -one with the Chicago Sky in 2021 and the most recent with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.

All in all Parker spent 16 years playing in the WNBA, achieving countless accolades along the way. These include two Finals MVPs, an All-Star Game MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and the first person in league history to win championships with three different teams.

Candace Parker Receives Heartwarming Message From Magic Johnson After WNBA Retirement

After Parker’s retirement announcement, various personalities have sent their messages to the WNBA star. Among those is Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson with a post he shared on X:

“A person who I love and respect, a champion both at the collegiate and professional level, is retiring from the game – @Candace_Parker!

You said that you wanted to leave the game better than when you entered it – and your time at Tennessee, and 16 years in the league, have been nothing but historic in women’s basketball today.

I’m so blessed to have witnessed your greatness first-hand in your 13 seasons with my Sparks, including our 2016 WNBA Championship! You are leaving this game as a legend with so many things to be proud of; The first player to ever win three championships with three teams, 10-time All-WNBA honoree, two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time league MVP, and the first player to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season. We can’t forget your two NCAA championships with Tennessee!

Your achievements off the court have been just as impressive as your time on it. You have excelled as an analyst, businesswoman, wife, and mother, and have been a tremendous friend to Cookie and I over the years. I’m so excited to see you put the dedication you gave to the game into your next business ventures!

Thank you for 13 incredible years in purple and gold. Thank you for being an amazing role model and staple in the basketball community. And thank you for leaving the game better than when you entered!” Johnson tweeted.

Being part of the same city connected Parker and Johnson together. At the same time, both stars were prodigies when they entered their respective leagues, and made an impact during the entirety of their professional careers.

While Parker is off riding into the sunset, new names such as Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark , Sparks star Cameron Brink, and Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, are set to inherit a league she built. Without a doubt, the Los Angeles legend did leave behind a place she made better after 16 years of playing for the WNBA.