WNBA legend Candace Parker began her induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with a playful jab at her personal life, telling the audience, "I changed teams both literally and figuratively." The remark drew surprised cheers.
Parker, 40, was inducted Saturday alongside fellow trailblazers Elena Delle Donne and Chamique Holdsclaw. The ceremony took place at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts.
During her speech, Parker reflected on her decorated career, which saw her drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008 and later win championships with the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. She also brought a basketball to the podium, referencing their shared history, including milestones like dunking on UConn, having a signature shoe, and being the first woman on the cover of NBA2K.
Parker's personal life has included a marriage to former college basketball player Shelden Williams, with whom she has a daughter, Lailaa, born in 2009. The couple divorced in 2016. In 2021, Parker publicly came out as lesbian, announcing her marriage to former basketball player Anna Petrakova, which had taken place two years prior. They have since welcomed two sons, Airr in 2022 and Hartt in 2024.
Parker's induction class also included the 1996 U.S. Olympic women's basketball team, Amar'e Stoudemire, Joey Crawford, Doc Rivers, Mike D'Antoni, and Mark Few.
Elena Delle Donne also delivered a moving speech, dedicating a portion to her sister Lizzie, who is blind and deaf, calling her the strongest person she knows. Delle Donne's career highlights include MVP awards and leading the Washington Mystics to their first WNBA championship in 2019. She achieved a rare shooting efficiency feat, surpassing 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line.
Chamique Holdsclaw honored her former coach Pat Summitt, who died in 2016. Holdsclaw was a key player in Tennessee's three consecutive national titles from 1996-98 under Summitt, a period that set NCAA records for wins. Holdsclaw also acknowledged the 1996 Olympic team, recalling having posters of its players as a high school student.