Candace Parker did it her way and the Sparks retire the 2-time MVP's jersey

LOS ANGELES (AP) — If Candace Parker could put music to her jersey retirement ceremony, it would be “I Did It My Way,” the Jay-Z remix of Frank Sinatra’s hit.

Parker’s No. 3 Los Angeles Sparks jersey was raised to the rafters of Crypto.com Arena during Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky.

After being the No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA draft out of Tennessee, Parker spent 13 of her 16 seasons with LA and won a championship with the Sparks in 2016, when she was MVP of the WNBA Finals. She added titles with her hometown Sky in 2021 and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023, her final season.

The 39-year-old Parker is the third Sparks player to have her jersey retired, joining Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11).

The five-time All-Star has always had big dreams.

“I represent coming from a family that told me I could do and be anything. I’m really proud of that kid,” Parker said. “I think I’d do things exactly the same way because it’s why I’m sitting here. I made mistakes and took two steps forward and one back, but I was always moving forward.”

Parker, who wore an orange outfit as an ode to her college days, walked on to the court during the first timeout and got a standing ovation. Fans were given yellow jerseys that read “That’s our Ace” with the number 3 incorporated into the design.

This was the first of two jersey retirement ceremonies for Parker. Chicago will retire her jersey later this summer.

“When I got drafted out here, it’s become home,” Parker said. “I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else. It’s super important to see this jersey in the rafters before any others because my 13 years here were super special. It was ups, downs, wins, losses, heartaches and rewards but it’s super special to share that with my teammates and coaches with an organization that bet on me with the first pick in the 2008 WNBA draft. That was a long time ago.”

Parker and fans watched tribute videos from luminaries including former Lakers player and Sparks coach Michael Cooper and Sparks owner Magic Johnson.

Leslie, who played with Parker at the end of her career, introduced Parker during a halftime ceremony and was emotional as Parker spoke.

“No. 3 will hang in the rafters because nobody else can do what Candace Parker has done for the LA Sparks,” Leslie told the crowd.

In Johnson’s tribute video, he said the jersey retirement is the ultimate honor.

“That means you’re a super, super, superstar in the game of basketball to be right up there next to me, Kareem, Kobe and so many greats,” Johnson said. “That will be a special moment and a great way to say to herself, ‘Look at me, I really have arrived.’”

Parker, who was flanked by her family for the ceremony, was a two-time WNBA MVP with the Sparks, in 2008 and 2013. She’s the franchise’s career assists leader with 1,331 and is second in rebounds and points. She averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists along with 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals.

During her second season, Parker gave birth to a daughter. She returned to practice weeks later, and Lailaa Williams, now 16, was a welcome addition at practices and games throughout Parker’s years in LA.

“Candace Parker’s impact on the WNBA is immeasurable. From the moment she stepped onto the court as a rookie, winning both MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season, she has continually redefined greatness,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelberg said.

“Beyond her accolades, Candace has been a leader, a mentor, and a trailblazer — inspiring the next generation of athletes with her skill, resilience, and passion for the game. She has used her platform to elevate women’s sports, leaving a lasting legacy that transcends the court.”

Angel Reese, one of Parker's successors as a face of the league, had 24 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Sky to a 92-85 win over the Sparks.

Parker, who also has two young sons, has worked has a broadcaster and author since her playing career ended. Her book, “The Can-Do Mindset: How to Cultivate Resilience, Follow Your Heart, and Fight for Your Passions,” was published this month.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

The jersey of former Los Angeles Sparks player Candace Parker is displayed during her jersey retirement ceremony during a WNBA basketball game between the Sparks and the Chicago Sky, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Former Los Angeles Sparks player Candace Parker speaks during her jersey retirement ceremony during a WNBA basketball game between the Sparks and the Chicago Sky, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Former Los Angeles Sparks player Candace Parker, left, and former teammate Lisa Leslie, right, embrace during Parker's jersey retirement ceremony during a WNBA basketball game between the Sparks and the Chicago Sky, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

The jersey of former Los Angeles Sparks player Candace Parker, center, looks on with her family during her jersey retirement ceremony during a WNBA basketball game between the Sparks and the Chicago Sky, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Former Los Angeles Sparks player Candace Parker, second from left, reacts with her family during her jersey retirement ceremony during a WNBA basketball game between the Sparks and the Chicago Sky, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

T-shirts are laid out on seats to honor former Los Angeles Sparks player Candace Parker prior to a a WNBA basketball game against Chicago Sky, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

A general view of an LED screen is seen with Candace Parker jersey retirement signage prior to a WNBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Chicago Sky, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

A Candace Parker shirt worn by Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum is seen before a WNBA basketball game against Chicago Sky, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

A general view of the Jumbotron is seen with Candace Parker jersey retirement signage prior to a WNBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Chicago Sky, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

CHICAGO (AP) — Davis Martin tossed six innings of four-hit ball to lead the Chicago White Sox past Toronto 3-0 on Sunday for their first three-game sweep of the Blue Jays in 10 years.

Miguel Vargas had an RBI triple, and Lenyn Sosa and Austin Hays each drove in a run as the White Sox opened 3-0 at home for the first time since 2004. Luisangel Acuña got two hits for Chicago (4-5), which last swept the Blue Jays in April 2016 at Toronto.

Martin (2-0) struck out six and walked two in his second consecutive sharp start. Chris Murphy, Chicago's third reliever, worked around a walk in the ninth for his first save this season and the second of his career.

Ernie Clement had two of Toronto's six hits as the AL champion Blue Jays (4-5) dropped their fourth straight game and were shut out for the first time this season.

Eric Lauer (1-1) pitched the first two innings for Toronto, yielding two runs and three hits while walking three. Three relievers followed.

Tanner Murray made his major league debut at shortstop for the White Sox after getting called up from Triple-A. Murray ranged to his left to snare Addison Barger’s grounder up the middle with the bases loaded in the third, then threw out Barger at first to end the threat.

Toronto catcher Brandon Valenzuela singled in the first at-bat of his big league debut. He was called up Saturday from Triple-A Buffalo after Alejandro Kirk got injured.

The White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first. Chase Meidroth scored when Vargas’ sinking liner skipped past center fielder Daulton Varsho for a triple.

Sosa’s run-scoring double in the third made it 2-0. Hays singled home run in the fourth.

Blue Jays: RHP Max Scherzer (1-0, 1.50 ERA) faces Dodgers LHP Justin Wrobleski (0-0, 6.75) on Monday in Toronto.

White Sox: RHP Erick Fedde (0-1, 5.40) starts Monday at home against Baltimore.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tanner Murray fields a grounder hit by Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Toronto Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago White Sox's Miguel Vargas (20) celebrates at third base after hitting an RBI triple during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Chicago, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami (5) celebrates with teammate Colson Montgomery, center right, after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago White Sox starter Davis Martin delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Chicago, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)