CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 02: Candace Parker #3 of the Chicago Sky high fives Kahleah Copper #2 as she is introduced prior to the game against the Dallas Wings during the first half at Wintrust Arena on August 02, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** ORG XMIT: 775805699
Michael Reaves, Getty
Candace Parker is headed back west.
After two seasons with the Sky, including leading the franchise to its first ever WNBA championship, Parker has agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Aces she shared on social media.
The two-time WNBA champion took meetings with the Sparks, Sky and the Aces before making her decision.
Parker’s ties to the Aces organization aren’t as deep as those to the Sky and the Sparks, but what they can offer is a clear opportunity at another ring. The added tie to point guard Chelsea Gray, who Parker won a WNBA title with in 2016 with the Sparks is a bonus.
What the Aces offer Parker as well is an opportunity to be closer to Los Angeles, the city isn’t where she was born but became home after she was drafted by the Sparks with the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft. Family was arguably the most important factor in Parker’s free agency.
Her decision to sign with the Sky in 2021 paid dividends with a title in her first season along with two more All-Star nods. In her two seasons with the Sky Parker averaged 13.2 points, 4.3 assists and 8.5 rebounds. At 36 years old she is still playing some of her best basketball exemplified in her playoff performance during the Sky’s semifinals run last year.
She averaged a double double in the Sky’s eight playoff games last year with 14.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. It was the first time in her career she’s averaged a playoff double double playing in more than six playoff games.
Parker has previously said there were only two franchises she would ever consider playing for. After winning championships with both, her stance changed in an effort to go for a third. The Aces are early favorites in title contention for the 2023 season. No team has won back-to-back titles since the 2002/03 Sparks.
Parker hinted following the Sky’s Game 5 loss to the Sun in the semifinals that retirement could be a possibility. Ultimately her decision to return for a 16th season reflects her confidence in her ability to continue playing at the high level she holds herself to.
from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/cqlfhZL
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