“I was in LA first”- Candace Parker comically shuts down debate on who owns ‘CP3’ label between her and Chris Paul 

By Ethen Hutton

Modified Oct 04, 2024 07:05 GMT

A question that has plagued both Chris Paul and Candace Parker is who has the right to claim the 'CP3' moniker? If you ask Candace Parker, there's only one right answer.

In an interview with LSU women's basketball star Flau'jae Johnson, Parker made her case for why she is deserving of the nickname. Parker was directly asked, "Who is the real CP3?" Her answer did not disappoint.

"Come on now. First of all, I was in [Los Angeles] first. I guess that's not a question for me, that's a question for everybody else. 'When you think of CP3...' Yeah but I own it. I own it. We joke a lot about it," Park stated with a smile.

Candace Parker is a three-time champion, a feat that has evaded Chris Paul time and time again throughout his 20-year NBA career. Paul is set to enter his 20th NBA season and his first with the San Antonio Spurs. He spent last season with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 9.2 points, 6.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Paul will look for a strong stretch to close his career alongside one of the NBA's best young stars in Victor Wembanyama.

Candace Parker retires ahead of 2024 WNBA season

Candace Parker elected to call it a career back in April, ahead of the 2024 WNBA season. The league played its first season without Parker since the 2007 season.

She took to Instagram to announce her retirement after one of the greatest careers in WNBA history.

Parker penned an emotional caption to close her historic WNBA career, showing her gratitude for basketball and her friends and family in the WNBA.

In her 16-year career, Parker made seven WNBA All-Star appearances and 10 All-WNBA teams. She won two WNBA MVP awards, and three WNBA championships besides being the Defensive Player of the Year in 2020.

Parker played for the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces and averaged 16.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. She finished her career inside the top 10 of the WNBA's all-time leading scorers with 6,574 points.