Candace Parker wants to play next season if she can get healthy

Candace Parker has her sights set on playing another WNBA season, with one crucial condition: her health. The two-time MVP of the league was sidelined during the Las Vegas Aces’ back-to-back championship run due to foot surgery in July.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Parker expressed cautious optimism about her return, stating, “I’ll weigh my options. If I feel really, really good then I’ll play. That’s a big if. I’ve got to get my foot right. My foot was really bad last year. I don’t want to cheat the game or cheat myself.”

The 37-year-old admitted to playing through her injured left foot throughout the season but only sought an MRI after sustaining injuries to her right ankle and Achilles tendon. The results were shocking: “I did it and it was 89% fractured. It’s crazy how things work out.”

Following surgery, Parker spent 10 1/2 weeks on a scooter and is now slowly regaining mobility. She emphasized the importance of being able to enjoy everyday activities with her kids and prioritize her overall well-being. She is also planning to participate in the premiere of her documentary “Unapologetic” on ESPN.

The film delves into Parker’s journey from her childhood to her extraordinary basketball career, offering a raw and unfiltered look at her personal life. Parker discusses her experience of being left off the 2016 Olympic team, motherhood, her divorce from former NBA player Shelden Williams, and her marriage to her former Russian league teammate Anna Petrakova.

“A lot of those points in the documentary were well done. I’m proud of it. Proud of the way we handled my injuries, we didn’t make excuses,” she said. “The way we handled the USA situation. I’m not going to badmouth people. These are the facts however you want to interpret it.”

Parker’s transparency and resilience shine through in the documentary, showcasing her determination to navigate life’s challenges both on and off the court.