WNBA All-Star Candace Parker is returning to the league for the 2023 season.

When the Chicago Sky’s season came to a close, the retirement questions started spinning around Parker. 

“My body is going to be the ultimate deciding factor,” she said in the semifinals. “It’s not fun when you’re not what you’re used to being. You want to go out before that.”

As the offseason progressed, the Sky forward stayed quiet on addressing any retirement rumors until recently.

Parker told the Athletic on the Richard Deitsch podcast that she is intending to return to the league for 2023. 

“Right now, yeah. I’m game. Let’s see if my body is this way in January and February, but I plan to play,” Parker said on the podcast. “I plan to come back, but at the same time, last year, it was the reverse. I couldn’t imagine lacing up the shoes again. Then, a switch flipped in February, and I was ready to go.”

NEW PODCAST: Sometimes you get a guest that really lives up to your expectations.

This week's guest is @Candace_Parker

It's on her burgeoning sports broadcasting career & the strength of vulnerability.

She also plans on playing next year.

LISTEN: https://t.co/Yg2GPBoDXz pic.twitter.com/BlyYRbkjIm

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) November 16, 2022

With that statement, it means that switch could happen again. Come the new year, Parker could say it’s time to hang up the jersey for the final time.

Until anything is solidified, this is promising for Chicago Sky fans. A return to the league could mean another year she stays in the Windy City, depending on free agency. 

Parker is currently in the free agent market after her contract expired with the Sky at the end of the 2022 season. She joins Sky teammates Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot, Emma Meesseman and Azurá Stevens on the open market.

WNBA free agency discussions and moves won’t start until after the new year.

There’s a lot up in the air, but this statement is a sign of getting a chance to see some more fantastic Parker ball fakes.

hahahahahaha…GOTCHAAA 🤪#skytown pic.twitter.com/OLEKx6veMK

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 10, 2022