Lady Vols legend Candace Parker wins third WNBA title, this time with Las Vegas Aces

Candace Parker
signed with the Las Vegas Aces in pursuit of her third WNBA title. And on Wednesday, the
Lady Vols basketball
legend achieved it, although it didn’t play out the way she expected.

When the Aces defeated the New York Liberty 70-69 to capture the championship, Parker watched from the sidelines in civilian attire. She did not see any action during the Aces’ remarkable playoff run towards a back-to-back WNBA title due to her foot injury.

Despite missing point guard Chelsea Gray and veteran starter Kiah Stokes in Game 4 due to injuries, Las Vegas secured the Finals victory with a three games to one lead.

A’ja Wilson, who was named the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year but snubbed for the 2023 MVP award, earned the Finals MVP title. The former South Carolina standout led the Aces with 24 points and 16 rebounds.

Former Tennessee Lady Vols guard Nikki Fargas has now won consecutive WNBA championships as the president of the Aces.

At 37 years old, Parker became the first player in WNBA history to secure three championships with three different teams. Her initial title came in 2016 with the Los Angeles Sparks, the team that selected her as the first overall pick in the 2008 draft. She claimed her second championship with her hometown Chicago Sky when she joined them in 2021.

Parker’s illustrious career includes two WNBA MVP awards, a WNBA Finals MVP, a WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award, and 10 All-WNBA selections. She stands as the sole player in league history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season, and the first to accumulate over 6,000 points, 3,000 rebounds, and 1,500 assists in her career.

Parker has been sidelined for the Aces since July 7 when she underwent surgery on a fracture in her left foot. The 16-year veteransigned with the Aces for the current season, but it remains unknown if it will be her last.

In spite of her injury, Parker played through the fracture, averaging 9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals, contributing to their outstanding 21-2 start to the season.

Parker holds a distinguished position as one of the greatest players to wear a Lady Vols jersey. She competed under the guidance of Pat Summitt from 2004 to 2008, securing back-to-back NCAA titles in 2007 and 2008, which marked Tennessee’s last appearance in the Final Four and national championship victory.

Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Lady Vols legend Candace Parker wins with Aces for third WNBA title