It is a somber day in the realm of women’s basketball. Candace Parker officially and rather ‘privately‘ announced her retirement from the WNBA on social media Sunday, marking the close of the remarkable career of one of the sport’s revered figures. It seems disappointment regarding the news of her departure has transcended beyond the basketball community, reaching even into the world of soccer, where Megan Rapinoe has penned a heartfelt tribute to the iconic Las Vegas Aces star.

The former USWNT star took to Instagram stories and reshared the lengthy heartfelt note posted by Parker earlier. Additionally, she wrote a caption saying, “Legendary career from day☝🏻️[one]! Congrats @candaceparker.” Rapinoe sent her best wishes to the 2x WNBA MVP for her life ahead and even hailed the Aces forward ever since she began her professional journey. Such a heartfelt message was required, given what Parker wrote to shed tears of her own fans.

“I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it,” she wrote aside from posting a childhood picture of herself playing with basketball. “The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time. My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it,” added Parker. Notably, the 38-year-old spent 13 out of her 16 WNBA seasons with the Sparks before making a notable move to Chicago ahead of the 2021 season, which was considered a significant shift in a league accustomed to minimal free-agency activity. 

Following two seasons with the Sky, Parker then joined the Aces. Nevertheless, coming back, Parker would be impressed with Rapinoe’s message. Joining the former OL Reign star was also her beloved fiance. 

Sue Bird also joined Megan Rapinoe to raise the glass on Candace Parker’s ‘epic’ career

Sue Bird also shared Candace Parker’s emotional message on her Instagram story. The former WNBA star wrote, “Perfectly said…Congratulations @candaceparker. To an epic career🥂❤.” This must have been huge for Parker, considering it came from a WNBA icon. Notably, Parker faced a left foot injury during her debut season with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. 

This led her to get sidelined for the rest of the campaign and undergo surgery. Her Hall of Fame career ended with her final game on July 7. Despite initially re-signing with the Aces on Feb. 7 for a year deal, she disclosed that her foot ‘isn’t cooperating.’ She also said that undergoing yet another surgery was ‘no fun’, particularly after enduring 10 surgeries throughout her career.

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Candace Parker may have bid farewell to the court forever. Still, her memory stays forever, not just in the hearts of basketball faithful, but also in fellow women’s sports icons like Megan Rapinoe.