Candace Parker has never shied away from expressing admiration for the late great Kobe Bryant. “We in the WNBA feel like Kobe was the person that uplifted our league… I think just in terms of him having his daughters and really teaching the game.” The relationship started in 2008 and continues today as the WNBA legend coaches Bryant’s kids. So it was no surprise that see wants them in attendance for her huge honor on June 29th.

“You know, I was drafted in 2008 when it was like Kobe era, you know, when he was trying to win that championship with Pau. And, um I was able to be in LA when they were there. So I think to have Vanessa and the girls there, to have Pau there, would be amazing.” On the recent Monday night edition of NBA on TNT, the 3x WNBA champion shared the list of people she would love to have courtside. To those who are unaware, the occasion is her jersey retirement!

The Los Angeles Sparks will retire Sparks legend Candace Parker’s No. 3 jersey against the Chicago Sky on June 29. Sky is the same franchise for which Candace Parker won a championship back in 2021. It was her second of the career, after winning the first with the Sparks back in 2016. After winning the championship with Sky, the 38-year-old credited Vanessa Bryant for the pre-game pep talk, which inspired the win.

“The advice I got from Vanessa before the game was ‘play Gigi’s way’ and I think we did that all playoffs. So I just wanted to acknowledge his contribution, and V (Vanessa) said if Gigi could play, she would play as hard as she could, and so I think that was huge in our team and just overcoming everything that came today.” Five years have passed since Kobe Bryant’s tragic loss, and yet the Mamba Mentality lives on.

Apart from the 5x NBA champion’s family, Parker’s list also had the names of other icons. Like Lisa Leslie and Michael Cooper, their presence would be a “super special” feeling. Apart from them, the 2x WNBA MVP also wants Chelsea Gray and other players with whom she shared the locker room.

Candace Parker dons another hat for Kobe Bryant’s family

The current Adidas women’s basketball president previously credited Vanessa for carrying on the legacy of the Lakers’ legend. “But it means a lot to me that Vanessa [Bryant] is still so connected to the game of basketball… She wants her daughters to be a part of it and to understand the legacy that they come from, but also build their own, which I think is cool.” To help Vanessa and Kobe Bryant’s kids build their legacy, “Aunty Candace” is right there to help.

In her Instagram story, she wrote, “Look at the wrist loaded under the ball…. On her toes… Basketball in her blood! #MiniMamba Aunty Candace is so proud of you BB and you too COACH @Vanessa Bryant.“

Parker revealed that she had the opportunity to work out with Kobe Bryant, who helped her with footwork movements. Further explained that the Lakers’ legend called it ‘Build your House.’ So when she had the training session with Bianka, she called it a cool moment. But the moment of her jersey hanging in the rafters will definitely be another cool moment for the WNBA icon.