Candace Parker was honored in a major way when her No. 3 jersey was officially retired by the Los Angeles Sparks during a game at Crypto.com Arena.
Her jersey now hangs in the rafters alongside WNBA legends Lisa Leslie and Penny Toler, making her only the third player in Sparks history to receive this recognition.
Parker was the top pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft after a standout college career at Tennessee.
She spent 13 of her 16 seasons with the Sparks and led the team to a championship in 2016, where she was named Finals MVP.
She later went on to win two more titles, one with her hometown team, the Chicago Sky, in 2021 and another with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023, which turned out to be her final season.
At 39, Parker leaves behind a powerful legacy as a five-time WNBA All-Star, a champion in three different cities, and a trailblazer in the sport.
Candace Parker Embraces Life After Basketball, Focusing On Family With Wife Anna And Their Three Children
Candace Parker, a retired WNBA legend, is a proud mom of three children and shares a close, loving family life with her wife, Anna Petrakova.
Her oldest child, Lailaa Nicole Williams, is now 16 years old and was born during Candace’s early playing days.
Lailaa is from Candace’s previous marriage to former NBA player Shelden Williams.
Growing up around basketball, Lailaa developed a love for the game and even traveled with her mom to countries like Turkey, Spain, and China during her overseas career.
She’s also been involved in sports off the court, joining her mom as a part-owner of Angel City FC, a women’s soccer team.
Candace’s second child, Airr Larry Petrakov Parker, was born in February 2022 and is her first child with Anna.
His name carries meaning from basketball: “Airr” reflects his parents’ love of the sport, and “Larry” honors Candace’s father.
He’s a lively toddler, often seen in family photos, and Candace has shared that he brings back memories of raising Lailaa as a baby.
In May 2024, Candace and Anna welcomed their third child, Hartt Summitt Petrakov Parker.
His middle name is a tribute to Pat Summitt, Candace’s former coach at the University of Tennessee, who had a major impact on her life.
Hartt joined the family shortly after Candace announced her retirement from basketball, a decision she made to spend more time with her kids.
Now living in Los Angeles, Candace and Anna are focused on raising their children together.
They often share joyful family moments online, and Candace has said that being a mom is her biggest priority.
With a home full of love, laughter, and a strong bond through basketball, the Parker-Petrakova family is enjoying life together, on and off the court.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In high school, she made history by winning the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award in both 2003 and 2004, becoming the first female athlete to win it twice and the second person ever to achieve this distinction.
- While playing for the University of Tennessee, she led her team to back-to-back national championships in 2007 and 2008.
- After entering the WNBA, she signed big endorsement deals with Adidas and Gatorade.
