Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so much little, together we can do so much”. Even the greatest athletes of all time couldn’t have progressed as far as they did without having some valuable teammates. Would Michael Jordan have managed to elevate the 90s Chicago Bulls if he didn’t have Scottie Pippen beside him? Would Magic Johnson have gained early fame without the support of Kareem-Abdul Jabbar? The impact that teammates have is precious. Therefore, it makes sense that Candace Parker loves her 2 former teammates enough that she can’t choose between them.

With just hours remaining until Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, the official X account of the WNBA highlighted Candace Parker engaging in a Q&A session. When the interviewer asked whether Parker is rooting for a specific team, she replied that “You know, it’s tough because, you know, I won a championship with Kah (Kahleah Copper). I would say that Chelsea (Gray) and Kah are my two favourite teammates that I’ve ever played with. And so, again, it’s a ‘Win-Win’. I think every game I end with a smile because you know somebody that I love is moving on”.

From 2016 to 2020, Chelsea Gray played for the Los Angeles Sparks. Gray created quite a memorable impression right from the early years with the Sparks, with Parker stating back in 2017 that Gray is “unstoppable” when she can control the pace on the floor and showcase her heightened passing ability. Alana Beard and Parker compared Gray’s game to that of Nikki Teasley, “but with a motor”. As Parker further added about Gray, “Her court vision and her ability to create for herself and others is what I’ve been most impressed with”.

Both Parker and Gray left the team in 2021 after choosing to sign with different franchises during free agency.

Candace Parker served as a teammate to Kahleah Copper during the former’s sole season stint with the Chicago Sky. Parker’s debut practice with the Sky fell around the same time period when she had celebrated her 35th birthday. Copper knew this. Therefore, as Parker recalled, “When I got here, it was right after my birthday and Kah is big on making sure you celebrate your birthday. I just thought it was really cool. I’ve never gotten a cake for my birthday at training camp.”

Going forward, Copper cherished having Parker as her mentor. As the 4x WNBA All-Star once recalled, “From Day 1, she challenged me. She was on me every single day like, ‘No, you’re going to be that person for us, you’re going to be that defender for us, you’re capable. I think that her challenging me and just who she is, I’m like, damn, if she thinks I can do it, for sure I can do it. She’s really taken me under her wing, teaching me on and off the court … She’s played a major part in also keeping me level-headed.”

Both Gray and Copper continued to be close to Parker after the 3x WNBA champion retired from the WNBA. In fact, when Candace Parker’s jersey was retired by the Chicago Sky in late August, both of her favorite teammates were in attendance. Chelsea Gray, along with Jackie Young, pulled up wearing the jerseys from Parker’s Naperville Central High School days. Copper flew all the way from Phoenix when her team’s season run was still going on to give a heartfelt speech to Parker during the ceremony. The woman-of-the-hour herself had worn denims that had images of her former squad’s members on them.

Given the admiration the former player shares for her 2 former teammates, we can make an exception and not blame her for not being able to choose between the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces. However, let’s hope she doesn’t remain neutral in the future, too. After all, the same might not be allowed in her new job.

Candace Parker Is Set To Lead Amazon Prime Video’s WNBA Coverage

Amazon Prime Video Sports’ global head of production, Jared Stacy, recently appeared on the Sports Media Podcast with The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch. He used the opportunity to announce that Michael Grady and Candace Parker would be the lead broadcast crew for the streamer’s WNBA coverage. Not all details regarding the same are finalized, as Stacy revealed that “We’re still working through the rest of it”.

Thanks to the new 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal that the NBA signed, the coverage of the games is headed to ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. The ‘NBA on Prime Video’ show is already set to have renowned names like Stan Van Gundy, Brent Barry, and Dell Curry as color commentators. Candace Parker, along with Dwyane Wade and Steve Nash, was previously announced to commentate on games under agreements that allow the three to serve as color commentators and studio analysts. Now, we know that Parker’s role with Prime Video will be expanded to include the WNBA as well.

Candace Parker has an abundance of broadcasting experience backing her. She had served as a studio and game analyst for NBA on TNT since 2018. Parker was also reportedly the first woman to serve as a color commentator for the NBA All-Star game in 2023. On top of that, she was also part of Turner Sports’ coverage of the men’s NCAA tournament. Therefore, with Prime Video, she is only set to add on to her experience.

While Candace Parker might refuse to choose, you can. Would you like to see Kahleah Copper or Chelsea Gray’s squad lift the 2025 WNBA championship trophy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.