Candace Parker has received her orange jacket and is set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame today. Given her stacked WNBA resume spanning 16 seasons, it’s been a long time coming for the Sparks legend.
Her presenter is set to be Dwyane Wade. According to Parker, this decision was rooted in sentimentality.
Candace Parker Reveals Why Dwyane Wade Is Her HOF Presenter
The clear-cut connection between Wade and Parker is the fact that they’re both from Chicago. However, aside from their shared bond, Parker revealed exactly why she bestowed such an honor on the Miami Heat legend.
“D’s like a brother. I think my brothers get upset because I always call him a brother. But he really is,” said Parker during her media availability. “My oldest brother and him had the same agent. He always told DWade he better look out for me. And throughout my entire career, he has done just that.”
Parker consulted Dwyane several times throughout her career. It was Wade who gave her the confidence to join her hometown Chicago Sky during her 2021 free agency.
“He’s been somebody that has always been on the sidelines celebrating me and making me make sure I smell my flowers. And, it was really cool. I don’t know if you saw the video when I asked him to be the presenter. Like, he literally almost cried,” continued Parker.
Candace Parker on why she chose Dwyane Wade as one of her Hall of Fame presenters:
“D’s like a brother. I think my brothers get upset because I always call him a brother. But he really is. He’s been a part of my career. My oldest brother and him had the same agent, Hank Thomas.… https://t.co/otJFo572S5 pic.twitter.com/EAnyHXCqg8
— Heat Diehards (@HeatDiehards) August 15, 2026
In the video that she’s referencing, she hands Wade a letter while they’re on a plane ride together. Upon reading it, he begins to realize what it says, bringing a smile to his face. He would go to hug her right after.
The two clearly share a brilliant, sibling-like bond that will last a lifetime.
Wade has since expressed enormous gratitude for being chosen as one of her presenters.
“In someone’s biggest moment, you don’t expect to be there. I was going to be there just as her brother. I’m just honored to be able to be there and I’m going to smile the whole time,” said Wade on a podcast with Candace and Aliyah Boston.
D-Wade isn’t Candace’s only presenter, however. He joins Tamika Catchings, Allen Iverson, and Cheryl Miller for the monumental occasion.
While Parker certainly appreciates their presence on stage with her, she’s made it quite clear that having her ‘big brother’ D-Wade with her means just as much to her, if not more.
