Aces sign Candace Parker, boost depth with Alysha Clark
3:09 p.m. ET
Alexa PhilippouESPN
CloseCovers women’s college basketball and the WNBA Previously covered UConn and the WNBA Connecticut Sun for Hartford Courant Stanford graduate and Baltimore native with additional experience at the Dallas Morning News, Seattle Times and Cincinnati Enquirer
Two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker has officially signed with the Las Vegas Aces, who also announced the signings of two-time WNBA champion Alysha Clark and four-time WNBL champion Cayla George on Wednesday.
Parker, who previously played for the Los Angeles Sparks and spent the past two years with the Chicago Sky, announced on Saturday that she was leaving her hometown Chicago team and joining defending champion Aces, citing a desire to get closer to his family. .
“We are thrilled to have Candace Parker join the Aces family,” Aces general manager Natalie Williams said in a statement. “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.”
Editor’s Choice
1 Related
Widely considered one of the greatest players in league history, Parker is a 10-time All-WNBA selection who won MVP in 2008 and 2013 as well as Finals MVP in 2016, all with the Sparks. She also helped propel the Sky to a title in 2021, her first year playing in Chicago.
ESPN previously reported that Parker, 36, signed with the Aces on a one-year deal.
Parker’s announcement over the weekend sparked talk that the Aces — whose starting five already includes two-time MVP A’ja Wilson, all-WNBA selection Kelsey Plum and Finals MVP 2022 Chelsea Gray – would be favored to repeat as champions in 2023. The signings of Clark and George add to the depth of the Aces which was not their forte last season.
Clark, 35, arrives in Vegas after spending the past two seasons with the Washington Mystics, the first of which was sidelined with a foot injury. The two-time all-defensive team selection also won two championships with the Seattle Storm.
“Having Alysha Clark join the Aces is like winning the lottery,” Williams added. “She’s a savvy defender and talented scorer at all three levels, as well as a seasoned leader who gives us great depth in guard and a small forward.”
George, who has a 15-year career in the WNBL and a longtime member of the Australian national team, played three seasons in the WNBA, his last appearance with the Dallas Wings in 2018.