{"id":860117,"date":"2026-08-16T11:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T11:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/860117\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T11:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T11:46:11","slug":"candace-parker-hails-aja-wilson-in-hall-of-fame-speech-as-wnba-goat-breaks-her-scoring-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/860117\/","title":{"rendered":"Candace Parker hails A’ja Wilson in Hall of Fame speech as WNBA ‘GOAT’ breaks her scoring record"},"content":{"rendered":"

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WNBA legend Candace Parker\u2019s speech was one of the highlights of the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony.<\/p>\n

Parker retired from the WNBA three years ago as a three-time champion, two-time MVP and seven-time All-Star.<\/p>\n

The 40-year-old recognised another two of the greatest female basketball players in her speech: Lisa Leslie and A\u2019ja Wilson.<\/p>\n

And Parker\u2019s praise of Wilson<\/a> coincided with the Las Vegas Aces<\/a> star overtaking her in the all-time WNBA scoring charts.<\/p>\n

\"A'jaPhoto by Ethan Miller\/Getty ImagesCandace Parker passes the torch to A\u2019ja Wilson<\/p>\n

Candace Parker spoke glowingly about her \u201cfull circle\u201d moment, starting with playing alongside Lisa Leslie in her rookie season.<\/p>\n

Parker then teamed up with three-time champion A\u2019ja Wilson in the final season of her WNBA<\/a> career with the Las Vegas Aces.<\/p>\n

\u201cFull circle. I came in as a rookie with Lisa Leslie and her greatness, unknowing how time has wings,\u201d Parker said.<\/p>\n

“Full circle. I came in as a rookie with Lisa Leslie and her greatness. \u2026 And I got to pass the torch to a GOAT in A’ja Wilson on the way out.”<\/p>\n

\u2014Candace Parker \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udcaa pic.twitter.com\/t7uLX6SDPs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN (@espn) August 16, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

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\u201cAnd I got to pass the torch to a GOAT in A\u2019ja Wilson on my way out.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE CANDACE PARKER STORIES<\/p>\n

On the same night as Parker\u2019s Hall of Fame speech, Wilson scored 32 points in the Aces\u2019 defeat to the Minnesota Lynx.<\/p>\n

A’ja Wilson passes Candace Parker on the all-time scoring list \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n

With 27 points and counting tonight, A’ja Wilson has passed Candace Parker for 11th place on the WNBA’s all-time regular-season scoring list.<\/p>\n

MIN-LVA | CBS | Paramount+
Tap to watch: https:\/\/t.co\/hcB9v4agpR<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/diKBpHsLLS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 WNBA (@WNBA) August 16, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

This meant that Wilson overtook her former teammate and became the 11th-highest scorer in WNBA history.<\/p>\n

Wilson was already ahead of 16th-placed Lisa Leslie, while she will soon replace Breanna Stewart in the top 10.<\/p>\n

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