Lady Vols basketball legend Candace Parker, one of the greatest players of all time, will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, first reported by Cora Hall of KnoxNews.
Parker was in her first year of eligibility to be inducted and received enough votes for the honor. She joins a class that includes Elena Delle Donne, Isabelle Fijalkowski, Amaya Valdemoro, Cheryl Reeve, Kim Muhl, Doris Burke and Barbara Kennedy-Dixon.
“We are honored to pay tribute to eight distinguished legends of this exceptional sport,” said WBHOF President Dana Hart. “They exemplify the highest standards in women’s basketball and have made substantial contributions to the sport, along with shaping the game’s historical trajectory.”
The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville.
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Parker played under Pat Summitt at Tennessee from 2004-2008. In that time, she was a two-time national champion and was twice named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. In her final 2008 season, she was named the AP Player of the Year, USBWA Player of the Year (2x), Naismith College Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award winner (2x) and an All-American (3x).
Parker was a three-time WNBA champion as a pro with the LA Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. She was MVP in the first finals win and a two-time league MVP. She was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, as well.
Parker announced her retirement from basketball in April of 2024. Since then, she has continued to appear as an analyst on TV broadcasts of basketball games, a role she started during her career. She has also made multiple appearances on Tennessee’s campus, most recently as the ESPN College GameDay guest picker for the Vols’ football game vs. Georgia.
