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Ja Morant, Jamal Crawford, Marcus Spears, and Allyson Felix All React To Candace Parker Joining Las Vegas Aces

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The two-time WNBA and MVP champion Candace Parker plans to sign with the Las Vegas Aces as a free agent, she announced on Saturday on Instagram.

My family is my reason and my purpose. They have given me the greatest joys I’ve ever experienced and continue to show me new levels of love and devotion I never knew existed.

When I made the decision to go to Chicago in 2021, I made the decision to go home and be with my family in the place where it all began. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to win a championship in my hometown and parade down the same streets I watched the Bulls parade down as a young girl first falling in love with the game of basketball.

As I’ve gone through free agency this time around, of course I’m thinking of where I can compete for my third championship, but the words home and family are what I kept coming back to. No different than when I signed with Chicago.

Throughout her 13 years, Lailaa has always sacrificed for me; always put me first; and always supported me in what I wanted or needed to do, even when it was tough on her.

I need to be there for my daughter, for my son, for my wife. I can’t be without them for parts of the season when Lailaa is in school and I won’t miss her volleyball games or school dances simply because of distance. Lailaa starts high school in August and I need to be there for her, just as she’s been there for me.

After evaluating the landscape together with my family, we’ve decided the Las Vegas Aces are the right organization for us at this point in our lives.

I’m forever appreciative of everyone in Chicago – our fans, teammates, coaches, and ownership. But more than the past two seasons, I’m thankful to the city that raised me, the childhood friends I still have to this day, the teachers I still am learning from, and the moments in time that will forever be in my heart.

While Chicago will always be my home, my family’s home is on the west coast.

To play for a championship close to home is the perfect situation for us. I’m looking forward to continuing the journey this summer in Las Vegas ♠️

Candace Parker Instagram

“Candace has done so much for our franchise in her time here,” Sky coach and general manager James Wade said in a statement. “I understand her reasons for wanting to be closer with her immediate family. We wish her nothing but the best. She will always be a part of the Sky family. We will celebrate her time here as she deserves.”

After sending shockwaves throughout the basketball community, members of the basketball community started to react including Jamal Crawford, Allyson Felix, Marcus Spears, and Ja Morant.

“Congrats icon, you deserve to be happy as possible!!, said Jamal Crawford in her Instagram comment section.

Olympic Icon Allyson Felix added, “Congratulations friend! FOE.”

Meanwhile on Twitter, Morant added a smiling emoji.

Finally, Spears tweeted, “Man, Candace Parker going to Las Vegas Aces, my Gawd that’s unfair I’m getting to some of them runs.”

The Aces are coming off a championship run in 2022 and as for Parker, she and the Sky won it all in 2021.

What do you think?

Written by Byron Nelson

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