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Candace Parker will honor Kobe Bryant this summer: Will Vanessa Bryant and Pau Gasol attend the ceremony?

legendary career

Candace Parker will honor Kobe Bryant this summer: Will Vanessa Bryant and Pau Gasol attend the ceremony?

From training sessions to sideline pep talks, their connection ran deep


Shirley Gomez
Senior Writer
APRIL 2, 2025 10:21 AM EDT

Candace Parker has never been shy about admiring the late, great Kobe Bryant. From training sessions to sideline pep talks, their connection ran deep. Now, as she gears up for one of the most significant moments of her career, she's ensuring his presence is felt in the best way possible.

Mark your calendars for June 29 because the Los Angeles Sparks are set to retire Candace Parker's iconic No. 3 jersey. The ceremony, taking place against the Chicago Sky (her second championship team), will celebrate Parker's legendary career. And if she has her way, some very special guests will be courtside.

Candace Parker attends the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)© Getty Images for W+P
Candace Parker attends the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)

On a recent episode of NBA on TNT, the 3x WNBA champion shared the names of those she'd love to see at the event: Vanessa Bryant and her daughters, along with Lakers legend Pau Gasol. "I was drafted in 2008 when it was like Kobe era, you know, when he was trying to win that championship with Pau," Parker said. "So I think to have Vanessa and the girls there, to have Pau there, would be amazing."

The Mamba Mentality Lives On

Parker's connection with Kobe Bryant started in 2008 but didn't end with his passing. She's continued to honor his legacy in countless ways, coaching his daughters, supporting Vanessa, and embracing the Mamba Mentality on and off the court.

Candace Parker #3 of the Las Vegas Aces warms up before a game against the Connecticut Sun at Michelob ULTRA Arena on July 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. T© Getty Images
Candace Parker #3 of the Las Vegas Aces warms up before a game against the Connecticut Sun at Michelob ULTRA Arena on July 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. T

During the Chicago Sky's 2021 championship run, Parker credited a pre-game pep talk from Vanessa Bryant as the spark that fueled her team's victory. "The advice I got from Vanessa before the game was 'play Gigi's way' and I think we did that all playoffs," Parker said, as reported by Yahoo. "If Gigi could play, she would play as hard as she could."

Aunty Candace's Courtside Coaching

Beyond the game, Parker has taken on a mentor role for Kobe's daughters. She often shares moments of their basketball progress, giving Vanessa credit for keeping them connected to the sport.

Candace Parker attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on October 26, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  © Getty Images
Candace Parker attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on October 26, 2023, in Los Angeles, California.

"But it means a lot to me that Vanessa [Bryant] is still so connected to the game of basketball," Parker said. "She wants her daughters to be a part of it and to understand the legacy that they come from, but also build their own, which I think is cool."

Parker even gave a special shoutout to Bianka Bella Bryant, sharing a clip of her practicing hoops with the caption: "Look at the wrist loaded under the ball… On her toes… Basketball in her blood! #MiniMamba Aunty Candace is so proud of you BB and you too COACH @VanessaBryant."

A Full-Circle Moment

As Parker prepares to see her jersey hanging in the rafters, she reflects on the lessons Kobe taught her. She recalls their training sessions, mainly his "Build Your House" footwork drills. Now, passing those teachings down to the next generation makes the honor even more meaningful.

Candace Parker #3 of the Las Vegas Aces shoots a free throw in the second quarter of a game against the Indiana Fever at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 26, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. © Getty Images
Candace Parker #3 of the Las Vegas Aces shoots a free throw in the second quarter of a game against the Indiana Fever at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 26, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Candace Parker's journey has always been intertwined with Kobe's legacy, from the Mamba Academy to the Sparks' rafters. And on June 29, as she takes her rightful place among WNBA legends, she'll do so with the Mamba Mentality leading the way.

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