After 16 seasons of playing basketball, Candace Parker has announced her decision to retire. Looking back on her impressive career, it is safe to say that Parker has made an impact on the game and young athletes worldwide. Her many accomplishments, individual accolades and longevity have cemented her place in WNBA history.

From an early age, Parker stood out when she became the first woman to enter and win the slam dunk contest at the McDonald’s All-American Game on Mar. 29, 2004. She made slam dunk history yet again when she became the first woman to dunk in a NCAA tournament game.

In her first season of the WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks, she was the first person to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. Her many accomplishments over the years translated into winning championships with each of the three teams she played for: the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces.

Now that Parker has officially retired from the WNBA, she has plans to continue pursuing a career in broadcasting as an analyst and commentator, and has expressed interest in WNBA team ownership.