Candace Parker References Changing Teams in Hall of Fame Speech

Candace Parker was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Springfield, Massachusetts, culminating a weekend of enshrinement events that began on Friday in Uncasville, Connecticut. The three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP delivered a memorable speech during the ceremony, reflecting on a career defined by both on-court success and personal evolution. A line from her address, in which she said she "changed teams both literally and figuratively," quickly resonated, with clips circulating widely.

The "literally" referred to her distinguished playing career, which saw her win championships with three different franchises: the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016, the Chicago Sky in 2021, and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. She is the only WNBA player to achieve that milestone. The "figuratively" aspect of her statement was a personal reflection on her life and decision to live openly. Parker, who has two children, married her partner Anya Petrakova after a previous marriage ended. Her family was present on stage during the earlier ring and jacket presentation on Friday, August 14, where her daughter helped her put on the Hall of Fame jacket.