World Champion Las Vegas Aces Sign Two-Time MVP, Two-Time WNBA Champion Candace Parker
February 1, 2023 – Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) – Las Vegas Aces Press Release
Las Vegas, NV – Las Vegas Aces General Manager Natalie Williams announced today that the team has signed two-time league MVP and two-time WNBA champion Candace Parker as a free agent. .
“We are thrilled to have Candace Parker join the Aces family,” Williams said. “Candace is a future Hall of Famer, a proven champion, and most importantly, an incredible woman. She’s a talented game designer, exceptional leader, and an invaluable piece in our quest for another championship title. We look forward to welcoming Candace and her family to Las Vegas.”
“My family is my sanity and my purpose,” Parker said when announcing his decision to sign with Las Vegas this weekend. “They have given me the greatest joys I have ever known and continue to show me new levels of love and devotion that I never knew existed.
“As I’ve been through free agency this time around, of course I’m thinking about where I can compete for my third championship, but the words home and family are what I keep coming back to.”
“After evaluating the landscape with my family, we decided that the Las Vegas Aces was the right organization for us at this point in our lives. Playing for a championship close to home is the perfect situation for us. I’m looking forward to continue the journey this summer in Las Vegas.”
The 6-4 forward/center is a 10-time All-WNBA winner, having played his first 13 seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Sparks. Parker (36) became the first player in WNBA history to be named Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same season when she averaged 18.5 points, 9, 5 rebounds and 3.4 assists while helping the Sparks to 10 wins in 2008.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Parker led LA to 11 playoff appearances, including the 2016 WNBA championship. She won her second MVP award in 2013 averaging 17.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
The Tennessee graduate signed as a free agent with Chicago on Feb. 1, 2021, and led the Sky to their first-ever WNBA championship that same year.
As a middle schooler, Parker led the Lady Vols to national championships as a junior (2006-07) and senior (2007-08), earning Final Four MVP accolades both years.
Since 2018, Parker has worked as an analyst and commentator for the NBA on TNT, during the WNBA offseason. In 2019, she worked as an analyst for the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship Game and began serving as an analyst and commentator for NBA TV and NCAA Tournament coverage on CBS Sports.
PARKER’S CAREER HONORS
WNBA Champion 2 2016 (LA), 2021 (CHI)
WNBA Most Valuable Player 2 2008, 2013
All-WNBA First Team 7 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2022
All-WNBA Second Team 3 2009, 2015, 2018
WNBA All-Star 7 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
2020 WNBA 1 Defensive Player of the Year
WNBA All-Defensive Second Team 2 2009, 2012
WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player 1 2016
2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year 1
WNBA All-Star Most Valuable Player 1 2013
Olympic Gold Medal 2 2008, 2012
NCAA Championship 2 2006-07, 2007-08
Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year 1 2007-08
John R. Wooden Award 2 2006-07, 2007-08
AP Player of the Year 2 2006-07, 2007-08
Final Four 2 Most Outstanding Player 2006-07, 2007-08
PARKER CAREER RANKINGS
Total/Avg. Rank
Points 6,412 10th
Points per game 16.4 16th
Field goals 2,411 9th
Field goal attempts 5,034 10th
Free throws 1,265 14th
Free throw attempts 1,654 13th
Rebounds 3,370 3rd
Rebounds per game 8.6 6th
Defensive rebounds 2,765 2nd
Defensive rebounds per game 7.1 2nd
Assists 1,567 8th
Assists Per Game 4.0 20th
Steals 494 16th
Blocks 603 5th
Blocks per game 1.54 10th
About the Las Vegas Aces
Led by two-time M’VP A’ja Wilson, Finals MVP Chelsea Gray, All-Star Game MVP Kelsey Plum, Most Improved Player Jackie Young and WNBA Coach of the Year Becky Hammon, the Aces won the franchise’s first WNBA championship in 2022. It also marked the first major professional sports title for the city of Las Vegas.
The team added two-time WNBA MVP and champion Candace Parker and two-time WNBA champion Alysa Clark as free agents this offseason in its quest to become the league’s first repeat champion in addition to two decades.
Las Vegas begins its championship defense Saturday, May 20 in Seattle at 12 p.m. PT, and its first home game is scheduled for Saturday, May 27 against Los Angeles at 6 p.m. The Aces are also hosting AT&T All-Star Weekend for the third time in five years on July 14-15. For more ticket information, please visit LasVegasAces.com.
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