President Joe Biden made a noticeable gaffe during a White House event honouring the two-time WNBA champions Las Vegas Aces. President Biden praised the team’s consecutive victories and acknowledged key individuals, albeit with a notable mix-up.
President Biden mistakenly referred to the retired basketball star Candace Parker as a coach in his speech, stating, “While she couldn’t be here, I want to acknowledge someone who we consider one of the greatest all-time coaches, Candace Parker.” However, Parker never held a coaching position with the team.
He continued to commend Parker’s illustrious career accurately: “She played 16 seasons in the league, won two Olympic Gold Medals, earned two regular season MVPs, and a Finals MVP. And look — going out on top of the world with her third ring, she announced her retirement from the game. We know she has a whole world in front of her.”
As the New York Post reported, the event also highlighted the Aces’ recent triumph over the Liberty in the WNBA Finals, a victory led by two-time league MVP A’Ja Wilson.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate for the 2024 US Elections, introduced the team, praising Wilson as “simply one of the best basketball players in the world.”
“I kinda like that back-to-back,” Biden commented, appreciating the Las Vegas Aces’ consecutive wins.
In addition to her sports achievements, Candace Parker was recently named Adidas’ new president of women’s basketball.
