Layshia Clarendon, first openly non-binary WNBA player, retires
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Layshia Clarendon, a guard for the Los Angeles Sparks and a prominent figure in social justice within the WNBA, announced their retirement from professional basketball this week at the age of 33, ‘Inside the Games’ reports. They broke the news on Instagram, concluding a 12-year-long career.
Clarendon, who became the first openly nonbinary and trans player in the league, last played for the Sparks on August 15 in a game against the New York Liberty. Over their career, they maintained averages of 7.6 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game.
Regarding their decision to retire, Clarendon stated, “It just felt right. I’ve done a lot of healing in my life the last five years, and my mind, body, and spirit were all telling me it was time to move on.”
Image Credit: Canva
Clarendon left a significant impact both on and off the basketball court. Besides being a talented player, they were a pioneering advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in sports and an active voice for social justice. Sparks coach Curt Miller highlighted Clarendon's influence, saying, “Layshia has made a huge impact on and off the court throughout their outstanding basketball career. Lay was a true professional, showing up each day with a desire to help our teams compete and improve. Off the court, Lay is a trailblazer and impacted so many with their bravery to be authentic and unapologetic.”
Clarendon’s professional basketball journey started when they were drafted ninth overall by the Indiana Fever in 2013. Throughout their career, they played for various teams, including the Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty, and Minnesota Lynx, before ending their professional journey with the Sparks.
In 2017, a career milestone was reached when Clarendon was selected as a WNBA All-Star while playing for the Dream. Reflecting on this, they said, “I’m very proud of my 2017 All-Star selection. I wanted to be an All-Star in this league, and I proved that to myself. But more than that, I’m proud of the relationships I built and the integrity I carried throughout my career.”
During the WNBA’s 2020 season, held in a bubble because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Clarendon made a poignant statement by supporting the transgender community. Together with their teammates, they wore “Trans Lives Matter” shirts before Clarendon had publicly revealed their gender identity. After the season, they came out as nonbinary and trans, reinforcing their role as a pivotal figure in sports representation advocacy.
Clarendon was also influential in the league's leadership. In 2016, they became the first vice president of the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). In this role, Clarendon was instrumental in negotiating the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, which improved player salaries, travel conditions, and support for players who are parents. They also promoted LGBTQ+ inclusivity within the league and played a leading role in the 2020 season's dedication to the “Say Her Name” campaign, a movement for racial justice.
Lindsay Gottlieb, who coached Clarendon at UC Berkeley when they led the Golden Bears to their first women's basketball Final Four in 2013, emphasised Clarendon’s enduring impact. “The way the W looks and feels right now is largely a testament to the people that have been doing the work. And there’s no one more important in that realm than Layshia.”
Clarendon forged a strong connection with fans, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Regarding this bond, they often acknowledged the emotional support received, saying, “Whenever I ran out of the tunnel and saw signs from fans who were part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I felt special. The fans were also a light for me. So much of this healing work is reciprocal. As much as I stepped out on a limb, I felt really caught and held by the queer fan base in the W. That was truly beautiful, so thank you.”
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