Layshia
Layshia Clarendon (he/they/she) is impactful on and off the basketball court. A visionary with a career that spans elite competition, media, and coalition-building, Layshia brings a dynamic, lived perspective to conversations about sport, identity, and leadership.
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With unparalleled on-court success, Layshia is a 12-year WNBA veteran boasting a 2017 All Star appearance, and a gold medal in the 2018 World Cup. Layshia was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team in 2013, leading the Bears to their first Final Four Appearance and was named Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year. Layshia was recently inducted into the University of California Sports Hall of Fame.
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Active off the court, in 2020 Layshia became the founding leader of the league’s Social Justice Council, driving industry-wide efforts to advance community dialogue, advocacy, and education. Most notably dedicating the season to Breonna Taylor, centering the #SayHerName campaign and fighting for American democracy by flipping a senate seat. One of Layshia’s proudest career accomplishments is serving six years as the WNBPA Vice President, aiding in the groundbreaking 2019 CBA negotiations that reshaped standards for players across the league.
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While still playing at the highest levels in the WNBA, Layshia served as a game and studio analyst for the Pac-12 Network. Known for their expert commentary and analysis, Clarendon is one of the most prominent voices in women’s basketball. Layshia was an in-studio analyst for the Golden State Valkyries in their inaugural 2025 season and currently works as game and in-studio analyst for ESPN, the ACC Network, and the Seattle Storm.
the Court
Beyond
Layshia served two terms as Vice President of the WNBA Players Association, playing a key role in negotiating a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement that has helped set a new standard for women’s professional sports leagues.
In 2020, they became the first openly trans and nonbinary player in WNBA history, using their platform to advocate for equity, belonging, and visibility across sport and culture.
Layshia is a sought-after speaker, writer, and cultural voice, with work featured in The Players’ Tribune, ESPN, Esquire, and Mic.
Layshia founded The Layshia Clarendon Foundation, in partnership with Athletes for Impact, to invest in gender-affirming care rooted in equity and belonging.
To date, the Foundation has provided $40,000 in grants to Black and Latine trans individuals, supporting access to vital care that was previously out of reach due to lack of insurance or systemic barriers.