Naperville Central HS star Candace Parker jersey retirement for Chicago Sky set for Monday night WNBA game against Las Vegas Aces
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — Candace Parker will become the second WNBA player to have her number retired by more than one team.

Of course, it’s extra special in the Chicago area because Parker grew up in Naperville.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Parker’s Naperville Central High School Redhawks hoisted the state championship trophy twice during her years at the school. They were the first of many championships Parker would win as a basketball player, from college to the WNBA.

“I think Candace has always been, even though she’s had all kinds of individual accomplishments, she’s always a been a team player. And that goes a long way to winning a championship,” Naperville Central Coach Andy Nussbaum said.

Nussbaum is still close to Parker and her family some 20 years after she played for him at Naperville Central. Hers is the only number retired at the high school.

Her No. 3 will join Allie Quigley’s No. 14 as the only two numbers the Chicago Sky has retired.

“Candace is a legend in every sense of the word. She’s won on every team she played on,” said Elizabeth Williams, with the Chicago Sky.

That includes the Las Vegas Aces, where Sky head coach Tyler Marsh was an assistant when Parker played.

“Candace is a basketball savant. She’s a legend in this league, a legend in this city,” Marsh said.

Among her many accomplishments, Parker is a seven-time WNBA all-star and two-time league MVP. She’s been on three different WNBA championship teams, including the Sky in in 2021, and Las Vegas, the team in town Monday night, where her close friend, Chelsea Gray, plays.

“It’s just huge for the city, herself, her family, and it speaks to the legacy she’s built,” Gray said.

With plenty of friends and family in attendance, it should be a special night for Parker.

Her jersey gets raised to the rafters at halftime.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Court: National Guard troops sent to Illinois by Trump can stay but can’t be deployed for now

Court: National Guard troops sent to Illinois by Trump can stay but can’t be deployed for now

CHICAGO (AP) — National Guard troops sent to Illinois by President Donald…
'Just the right amount of weird': A look inside San Francisco's underground robot fight club

'Just the right amount of weird': A look inside San Francisco's underground robot fight club

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – Hundreds of people lined the block outside an…
Tom Hanks Recalls John Candy Showing Up Hungover After Drinking With Jack Nicholson Before ‘Splash’ Scene

Tom Hanks Reflects on John Candy’s Memorable Hangover Following a Night Out with Jack Nicholson Before Filming ‘Splash’ Scene

John Candy might have been struck on the head by a racquetball…
Seattle jails employed more than 100 unqualified immigrants over several years, whistleblower claims

Whistleblower Alleges Over 100 Unqualified Immigrants Hired in Seattle Jails Over Several Years

A Democratic-led county in Washington state has come under examination following allegations…
Man hauled away by security after urinating on main altar at St. Peter’s Basilica: report

Man hauled away by security after urinating on main altar at St. Peter’s Basilica: report

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A man is accused…
Mark Sanchez's baby mama takes brutal dig at ex-NFL star

Mark Sanchez’s Ex-Partner Throws Shade: A Scathing Remark at Former NFL Quarterback

The mother of Mark Sanchez’s eight-year-old son has spoken out after the…
Meghan posts charming pictures to mark International Day of the Girl

Meghan Markle Celebrates International Day of the Girl with Heartwarming Photos

To commemorate International Day of the Girl, Meghan Markle shared a rare…
Nor'easter to batter East Coast with heavy rain, strong winds: What you need to know about the forest

Nor’easter to batter East Coast with heavy rain, strong winds: What you need to know about the forest

A mid-October nor’easter will continue to intensify as it tracks up the…