The Sparks gave Candace Parker the jersey retirement ceremony she deserved

Candace Parker getting her Sparks jersey retired guarantees anyone who enters Crypto.com Arena will forever remember her legacy.

LOS ANGELES — When Candace Parker announced her retirement last year, it was obvious she was going to get her jersey retired inside Crypto.com Arena.

On Sunday, during halftime of the Sparks' game against the Sky, the event lived up to the expectation as Parker’s jersey was raised to the rafters.

No accomplishments are missing from her resume.

Across her 13 years in LA and three years between Chicago and Las Vegas, she won the MVP and Rookie of the Year award in 2008, the 2013 MVP Award, the 2016 Finals MVP Award and the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year Award. She was an All-Star seven times, the All-Star MVP in 2013, was named All-WNBA 10 times and led the league in blocks three times, rebounds twice and assists once.

The celebration was appropriate for a player of her caliber.

“When I landed here, Michael Cooper, he said to me, ‘Silk...if you win here, you are a champion forever,’” Parker said. “So there’s one thing on my mind, and we got that. We got that championship.”

Crypto.com Arena had a shirt on every seat celebrating Parker. The Adidas tee had the words “That’s Our Ace” written on it. Ace, her nickname during her playing days, was written in cursive.

Throughout the game, statements from players appeared on the Jumbtron congratulating Parker. Other L.A. legends also joined in the celebration virtually, with Magic Johnson and her former head coach Michael Cooper also commending Parker on her career.

Lisa Leslie, who played two seasons with Parker before retiring, spoke during the ceremony, giving her the highest praise possible in front of the packed L.A. crowd.

“I knew when I handed the key to the L.A. Sparks to Candace Parker, they were in good hands,” Leslie said during her speech. “Nobody else can do what Candace Parker has done for the LA Sparks.”

Adidas Basketball literally gave Parker her flowers. They had a floral installation right outside Crypto.com Arena honoring the Sparks star.

Parker spoke for over four minutes about her legacy, what this moment meant to her and how happy she was to don the Sparks jersey for over a decade.

“I am extremely humbled to have No. 3 up there amongst the greats and I don’t take that for granted,” Parker said.

When her jersey was officially unveiled, Sparks fans erupted in a way they haven’t during the entire 2020s. It was a reminder of what the standard is and what happens when you win in Los Angeles.

“L.A. isn’t just about ball for me anymore,” Parker said. “It’s now where we call home and where we’ll forever call home.”

Parker isn’t just a champion forever; she’s a Los Angeles basketball legend. And now, anyone who ever walks inside Crypto.com Arena will be reminded of just that.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.