WNBA Las Vegas Aces

World Champion Las Vegas Aces Sign Two-Time MVP, Two-Time WNBA Champion Candace Parker

Published on February 1, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Las Vegas Aces News 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," said Williams. "Candace is a future Hall of Famer, a proven champion, and most importantly, an incredible woman. She is a talented play maker, an exceptional leader, and an invaluable piece toward our quest for another championship title. We look forward to welcoming Candace and her family to Las Vegas."

"My family is my reason and my purpose," said Parker in announcing her decision to sign with Las Vegas over the weekend. "They have given me the greatest joys I've ever experienced, and continue to show me new levels of love and devotion I never knew existed.

"As I've gone through free agency this time around, of course I'm thinking of where I can compete for my third championship, but the words home and family are what I kept coming back to."

"After evaluating the landscape together with my family, we've decided the Las Vegas Aces are the right organization for us at this point in our lives. To play for a championship close to home is the perfect situation for us. I'm looking forward to continuing the journey this summer in Las Vegas."

The 6-4 forward/center is a 10-time All-WNBA honoree, who played her 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 a 10-win improvement in 2008.

A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Parker led LA to 11 playoff appearances, including the 2016 WNBA Championship. She earned her second MVP award in 2013 when she averaged 17.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

The Tennessee grad signed as a free agent with Chicago on February 1, 2021, and led the Sky to their first-ever WNBA Championship that same year.

As a collegian, Parker led the Lady Vols to National Championships as a junior (2006-07) and senior (2007-08), earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player accolades both years.

Since 2018, Parker has worked as an analyst and commentator for NBA on TNT, during the WNBA offseason. In 2019, she worked as an analyst for the NCAA Division I Men's 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

WNBA Defensive Player of the Year 1 2020

WNBA All-Defensive Second Team 2 2009, 2012

WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player 1 2016

WNBA Rookie of the Year 1 2008

WNBA All-Star Most Valuable Player 1 2013

Olympic Gold Medalist 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 Most Outstanding Player 2 2006-07, 2007-08

PARKER'S CAREER RANKINGS

Statistic 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 MVP and WNBA Champion Candace Parker and two-time WNBA Champion Alysa Clark as free agents during the offseason in its quest to become the league's first repeat champion in more than two decades.

Las Vegas begins defense of its championship on Saturday, May 20 at Seattle at 12 pm PT, and its first home game is slated for Saturday, May 27 against Los Angeles at 6 pm. The Aces are also hosting AT&T All-Star Weekend for the third time in five years on July 14-15. For ticket information, please visit LasVegasAces.com.

Check out the Las Vegas Aces Statistics

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from February 1, 2023


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