The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony was held on Saturday in Springfield. Leading the charge for the WNBA, Dawn Staley, Candace Parker, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Elena Delle Donne entered the coveted group. Parker, who is a legend of the game herself, did not pass up the opportunity to rub shoulders with other legends.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Candace Parker concluded the emotional night with her heartfelt speech and was seen receiving the respect from her peers. The NBA on Prime even shared a video of her speaking with the other legends. Parker can be seen interacting with Minnesota Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett, ‘the Big Ticket’. Parker also found women’s basketball pioneer Cheryl Miller, whom she exchanged polite kisses and words with. Parker, now a Hall of Famer herself, interacted with two other Hall of Famers, two-time NBA champion Ray Allen and seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady.
“Greatness everywhere you look at the @Hoophall 🤩,” read the post.
A visibly emotional Candace Parker expressed her love for the game of basketball, per ESPN.
“Man, it’s crazy because all the legends have told me about the heaviness of this room, right? But growing up, I looked at all of you all, and now the heaviness is that you guys are looking at me. So, I’m just super grateful to be here. It was never just a game, and today I hope to tell you a story about a love story.”
Parker played in the WNBA for 16 seasons, becoming a three-time WNBA Champion, as she won championships across two different decades and distinct franchises: Los Angeles Sparks (2016), Chicago Sky (2021), and Las Vegas Aces (2023).
This makes her the only player in WNBA history to win a league title with three different teams.
Parker is the only player in WNBA history to win both Rookie of the Year and league MVP in the same season, doing so in 2008. Across her career, she was selected to the All-WNBA First Team seven times and the Second Team thrice. Candace Parker was joined by her NBA counterparts during the ceremony.
Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire, referee Joey Crawford, and Mike D’Antoni represented the NBA among the Hall of Fame’s newest entrants. The ceremonial night started on an emotional note as tributes poured in for Don Nelson, the Hall of Fame coach with a history of decades in the game that influenced so many players and coaches. Doc Rivers, who was also inducted on the night, was particularly emotional when mentioning Don Nelson, fondly recalling their initial time together, per NBA.com.
“It probably was the most illegal thing Nellie did: I practiced with the Bucks when I was at Marquette. Dave Wohl was an assistant for Nellie; Dave would pick me up, and I’d literally practice with the Bucks my freshman and sophomore years.”
In addition to the WNBA and NBA honorees, the 1996 USA Basketball women’s national team was inducted into the Hall of Fame, with Dawn Staley being inducted a second time since her individual entrance happening back in 2013. The 1996 USA Basketball women’s national team found a place in the Hall of Fame not only for winning the Olympic gold in Atlanta, but also for the incredible impact they had in furthering the world of women’s basketball.
But for Parker, the night couldn’t have been more perfect.
Candace Parker Received The Award From Her Role Models
It was a perfect award presentation for Candace Parker, who had the fortune of having her role models, Cheryl Miller and Dwyane Wade, present at the podium beside her. Parker left no stone unturned while mentioning the impact that Miller had on her.
“There was a guard from USC who moved like nothing we had ever seen before. She was coached by Pat Summitt, and then 1984 Olympic gold medalist. Her name was Cheryl Miller, and she broke the mold and set the stage for what was to come and what is today.”
Candace Parker had previously mentioned her special bond with NBA legend Dwyane Wade over the weekend, per ESPN.
“D’s like a brother. My brothers get upset because I always call him ‘like a brother.’ He’s been a part of my career. Being a teammate now in our post-careers, at TNT and at Amazon … yeah, he’s been somebody who has always been on the sideline celebrating me.”
Candace Parker can now enjoy being a Hall of Famer just like the legends that sat beside her on the night.