Candace Parker always said sheB次元官网网址檇 know when it would be time to retire. That day came Sunday.

The three-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist announced on social media that her career was over after 16 seasons.

B次元官网网址淭he competitor in me always wants 1 more, but itB次元官网网址檚 time,B次元官网网址� Parker wrote in an Instagram post. B次元官网网址淢y HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.B次元官网网址�

Parker, 38, had told The Associated Press in November she wanted to play another season if she could get healthy from a foot injury that kept her off the court last season. But she cautioned that she didnB次元官网网址檛 want to B次元官网网址渃heat the game,B次元官网网址� or herself, and expressed the same in announcing her retirement ahead of the AcesB次元官网网址� attempt to win a third title in a row. Parker has had 10 surgeries over her career.

B次元官网网址淚 promised IB次元官网网址檇 never cheat the game & that IB次元官网网址檇 leave it in a better place than I came into it. B次元官网网址� I always wanted to walk off the court with no parade or tour, just privately with the ones I love,B次元官网网址� she wrote. B次元官网网址淲hat now was to be my last game, I walked off the court with my daughter. I ended the journey just as I started it, with her.B次元官网网址�

Parker played her first 13 seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Sparks, establishing her dominance early as a No. 1 pick who won Rookie of the Year and league MVP in the same season. Parker was the only WNBA player to accomplish that feat, averaging 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists while helping the Sparks to a 10-win improvement in 2008.

Parker earned her second MVP award in 2013 and won her first title in 2016 with the Sparks. SheB次元官网网址檇 go on to win a second title with the Chicago Sky in 2021 and a third with the Las Vegas Aces last season. SheB次元官网网址檚 the only player in league history to win a championship with three different teams.

B次元官网网址淭he memories Candace Parker created for a generation of womenB次元官网网址檚 basketball fans will remain ingrained in our collective conscience forever, but she has given so much more to the game beyond her accolades and statistics,B次元官网网址� The Aces said in a statement. B次元官网网址淎s a teammate and mentor, a mother and wife, a baller, broadcaster, and businesswoman she has inspired countless young people, both boys and girls, to chase and achieve their dreams.B次元官网网址�

Parker played for the late Pat SummittB次元官网网址檚 last two national championship teams at Tennessee in 2007 and 2008. She then left with one year of eligibility remaining.

She won Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 before shockingly being left off the 2016 team.

B次元官网网址淚 think obviously Candace has had an amazing career. IB次元官网网址檓 a little bit sad about it because you love going up against her, the legend that she is,B次元官网网址� Liberty star Breanna Stewart said. B次元官网网址淲hat she has done on and off the court has been amazing for our league. Appreciate all sheB次元官网网址檚 done to help me get to where I am. WeB次元官网网址檒l definitely miss her this season.B次元官网网址�

Liberty coach Sandy Brondello coached Parker overseas in Russia for a few years during the winter.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 a trailblazer. Just a wonderful human being and what sheB次元官网网址檚 done for this sport,B次元官网网址� Brondello said. B次元官网网址楬opefully itB次元官网网址檚 celebrated. IB次元官网网址檝e got a lot of respect for her. Our kids grew up together when I was coaching in Russia. ItB次元官网网址檚 kind of sad. Everyone knows when itB次元官网网址檚 the right time.B次元官网网址�

Parker began working in broadcasting during her playing career. She has worked as an analyst for the NCAA Tournament with CBS Sports and for NBA TV.

She had surgery on her foot in July 2023 and told the AP it still pained her at the end of last year.

B次元官网网址淭his offseason hasnB次元官网网址檛 been fun on a foot that isnB次元官网网址檛 cooperating,B次元官网网址� she wrote in her post Sunday. B次元官网网址淢y mission in life, like Pat Summitt always said, is to B次元官网网址榗hase people and passions and you will never fail.B次元官网网址� Being a wife & mom still remains priority #1 & IB次元官网网址檝e learned that time flies, so I plan to enjoy my family to the fullest!B次元官网网址�

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AP Sports Writer Ryan Kryska in Hoboken, New Jersey, contributed to this report.

Doug Feinberg, The Associated Press