"I would want to play for her" - Candace Parker reacts to University of Tennessee coach's bold statement after 2 straight losses

WNBA legend Candace Parker reacted to the Tennessee Volunteers women's basketball coach Kim Caldwell's words about her senior players. After losing the second consecutive game following a perfect 13-0 record, Caldwell sent a message to those who say that senior players aren't hers and urged her to focus on rebuilding.

With an Instagram story, Parker expressed her respect for Caldwell and said that she would have wanted to play for the 36-year-old.

"I would want to play for her 🧡🧡🧡," Parker captioned her story.

Candace Parker hyped up Tennessee's coach

It comes after Kim Caldwell was fired up following an 89-87 loss to the LSU Tigers on Jan. 9. After dropping to 13-2, Caldwell had a clear message to those who say that she has time to rebuild the squad.

"For me personally ... I get a little bit offended with, 'You have time to rebuild, you have time to rebuild. These seniors aren't your players.' That offends me. They are my players. They chose to stay, and I chose to coach them," she told reporters.

"So I don't want to wait. I don't want people to say 'When you get your players in here.' These are my players," Caldwell continued. "I want to win for them. I want to win right now. And so these games that we can't get back, and they can't get back, yes maybe they are establishing something for the future.

"But I want them to be able to have the experience too. I want them to get what they deserve," Caldwell added.

Caldwell is coaching her first season while being pregnant with her first child, which makes her early success even more impressive. The season is still young, so she will have the chance to take her squad to the promised land.

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Candace Parker named an inspiration for Caitlin Clark

While she praised Kim Caldwell for her attitude after a loss, Candace Parker was praised for being an inspiration to one of the biggest sensations in women's basketball, Caitlin Clark.

On being named TIME's 2024 Athlete of the Year, Clark lauded Parker, who has also previously won the award.

"I grew up a fan of Candace Parker and the people who came before me and to be honored in this way, is super special, and I’m thankful. It was a great year for women’s basketball and women’s sports."

After a terrific college tenure, Candace Parker marked an era in the WNBA, paving the way for other stars that came after her.