Wikipedia

Layshia Clarendon

Layshia Renee Clarendon (born May 2, 1991) is an American former professional basketball player. They played eleven seasons in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Clarendon was the first openly non-binary WNBA player, and the first active WNBA player to have top surgery.[1]

Layshia Clarendon
Clarendon squaring up to take a shot
Clarendon in 2019
Personal information
Born (1991-05-02) May 2, 1991 (age 33)
San Bernardino, California, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Listed weight158 lb (72 kg)
Career information
High schoolCajon (San Bernardino, California)
CollegeCalifornia (2009–2013)
WNBA draft2013: 1st round, 9th overall pick
Selected by the Indiana Fever
Playing career2013–2024
PositionShooting guard
Number25
Career history
2013–2015Indiana Fever
2016–2018Atlanta Dream
2018–2019Connecticut Sun
2020–2021New York Liberty
2021Minnesota Lynx
2023–2024Los Angeles Sparks
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals
Women's basketball
Representing the  United States
World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2018 Spain
U19 World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2009 U19 Bangkok

College career

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Clarendon completed their college career at the University of California, Berkeley in 2013.[2] The 2012–2013 season saw them become a leader of the team and received national recognition for their abilities, culminating in their place as a finalist for the Senior Class Award.[3][4]

According to Clarendon's coach Lindsay Gottlieb, "[Clarendon was] vocal in terms of helping us achieve those goals and being a leader off the court and talking to her teammates, but you're never necessarily going to notice that on the court."[5]

For the 2012–2013 regular season, the Clarendon-led Bears lived up to expectations, compiling a 28–2 record (excluding the Pac-12 Tournament) and earning a 2nd seed in the NCAA tournament.[6] Clarendon and the Bears also enjoyed post season success, resulting in the team's first Final Four appearance.[7][8] The Bears lost in the national semifinals to Louisville.[9]

National team career

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Clarendon was named to the USA Women's U19 team which represented the US in the 2009 U19 World's Championship, held in Bangkok, Thailand in July and August 2009.[10] Clarendon scored 4.5 points per game, and helped the USA team to an 8–1 record and the gold medal.[11]

Clarendon was named to the senior team roster for the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and helped the team to a 6–0 record and the gold medal.[12]

Professional career

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WNBA

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Indiana Fever (2013–2015)

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Clarendon was selected ninth overall in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever.[13] During Clarendon's rookie year, they played in 30 games and averaged just under 20 minutes per game. Clarendon played three years for the Fever helping make the playoffs in every year that they were part of the team. They reached the WNBA Finals in their last season with the Fever, falling just short of a title.

Atlanta Dream (2016–2018)

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On May 2, the Fever traded Clarendon to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for a 2nd round pick in the 2017 WNBA draft.[14]

Clarendon immediately became the Dream's starting point guard in their first season – starting 32 out of 34 games. In their first start for the Dream, Clarendon set a new career-high with 19 points and grabbed six boards in 31 minutes of action against their former team – the Indiana Fever. They also had a career-high with 19 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists in the Dream's win over the Connecticut Sun.[15]

On February 1, Clarendon signed a multi-year deal with the Dream – bringing them back to Atlanta for the 2017 season.[16] Clarendon again had a fantastic season making their 1st All-Star game. At the All-Star game, Clarendon recorded 14 points and 10 assists.[17] Clarendon also registered a "unofficial" triple double during the year when they recorded 15 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in Atlanta's overtime win over Phoenix. The league reviewed the stats and ultimately took away 2 assists and Clarendon's triple double was taken away.[18]

During the 2018 season, Clarendon played 18 games with the Dream before being traded to the Connecticut Sun.[19]

Connecticut Sun (2018–2019)

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Clarendon joined the Sun midway through the season and played in 15 games for the Sun. They averaged 5.4 points per game and 2.7 assists. They scored a season-high 14 points in the Sun's victory over the Lynx on August 17.

Clarendon was hoping to be a key reserve for the Sun going into the 2019 season but their season got derailed after sustaining an ankle injury that required surgery. After surgery, Clarendon was expected to be out for three-to-four months.[20] The Sun had a very successful season making it all the way to the WNBA Finals and Clarendon was hoping to make it back in time to play, but ultimately wasn't ready and healthy to play.[21]

New York Liberty (2020–2021)

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Clarendon signed with the New York Liberty on February 10.[22] Coach Walt Hopkins stated that Clarendon "is an elite facilitator and floor general with an extremely high basketball IQ... 'not only leads vocally, but also by consistently modeling a tireless work ethic and respect for those around her. She is going to be a massive boon to our roster and our team culture – both on, and off of the court.'"[23] Clarendon was expected to be a mentor to incoming #1 Draft Pick Sabrina Ionescu. When Ionescu went down with an ankle injury, Clarendon became a bigger part of the team. Clarendon stepped into a starting role with the Liberty and averaged career-highs in field goal percentage with 46.5% and points with 11.5. They also averaged 2.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contest.[24]

Clarendon made the 2021 Liberty roster, but only played three minutes in the opening night game vs the Indiana Fever. After failing to appear in the next two games for the Liberty, Clarendon was waived from the roster.[25]

Minnesota Lynx (2021)

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Clarendon signed a hardship contract with the Lynx on May 31 due to the Lynx falling under the roster number due to multiple injuries. Clarendon played that night for the Lynx and sparked a run to help the Lynx get their first win of the season. Clarendon finished with 12 points that game.[26] Due to how hardship contracts work, Clarendon had to be released multiple times once the injured players became healthy. Unfortunately for the Lynx, they continued to have injuries to many players, which worked out well for Clarendon, as they continued to be signed to the Lynx. On July 2, 2021, Clarendon was able to sign with the Lynx on a Rest of the Season deal.[27] Clarendon had a strong season for the Lynx, but struggled as the year ended with a right fibula injury.[28] They finished the season averaging 10.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.1 rebounds.

During the 2022 offseason, Clarendon signed to return to Minnesota.[29] On May 3, 2022, after going through all of training camp with the Lynx, Clarendon was waived and did not make the final roster.[30]

Los Angeles Sparks (2023–2024)

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On February 7, 2023, Clarendon signed a training camp contract with the Los Angeles Sparks.[31] They made the roster and started in 24 games for the team. On September 7, 2023, Clarendon recorded a career-high 30 points in an 89-96 loss to the New York Liberty.[32][33]

On February 1, 2024, Clarendon re-signed with the Sparks for the 2024 WNBA season.[34] On May 15, 2024, in the first game of the season, Clarendon recorded their first career triple-double, posting 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in an 81-92 loss to the Atlanta Dream. They became only the fourth player in Sparks history (after Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, and Chelsea Gray) to achieve this feat.[35] Clarendon appeared in 21 games during the season but missed most of the games following the Olympic break due to mental health reasons. Clarendon retired from the WNBA on September 20, 2024 after eleven seasons.[36]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader

WNBA

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Regular season

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Stats current through end of 2024 season

WNBA regular season statistics[37]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2013 Indiana 30 4 19.4 .331 .259 .409 1.8 1.8 0.5 0.0 1.3 4.2
2014 Indiana 29 3 13.7 .402 .316 .708 1.4 1.2 0.4 0.0 1.0 4.2
2015 Indiana 29 12 20.8 .445 .406 .765 2.7 2.0 0.7 0.0 1.6 6.7
2016 Atlanta 34 32 28.2 .466 .346 .765 4.3 3.5 0.7 0.1 2.2 10.4
2017 Atlanta 34 33 29.8 .378 .180 .879 3.8 6.6 0.9 0.1 2.6 10.7
2018 Atlanta 18 4 17.3 .329 .143 .800 2.1 1.7 0.4 0.0 1.3 4.3
Connecticut 15 0 15.9 .492 .000 .826 1.6 2.7 0.5 0.0 0.9 5.4
2019 Connecticut 9 0 15.3 .419 1.000 .857 2.4 2.1 0.3 0.0 0.9 6.2
2020 New York 19 19 26.1 .465 .341 .873 2.5 3.9 0.9 0.0 3.4 11.5
2021 New York 1 0 3.0 — — — 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.0
Minnesota 21 20 25.7 .517 .357 .784 3.1 5.7 0.6 0.0 3.0 10.4
2022 Did not play (waived)
2023 Los Angeles 24 24 28.6 .497 .457 .915 3.0 3.4 1.1 0.0 2.3 11.1
2024 Los Angeles 21 12 16.0 .427 .350 .870 1.8 2.6 0.7 0.0 1.2 4.3
Career 11 years, 6 teams 284 163 22.2 .432 .318 .810 2.7 3.2 0.7 0.0 1.9 7.6
All-Star 1 0 17.7 .600 .500 — 2.0 10.0 1.0 0.0 2.0 14.0

Playoffs

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WNBA playoff statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2013 Indiana 4 0 15.3 .476 .600 .250 0.5 2.0 0.5 0.0 1.5 6.0
2014 Indiana 5 0 7.4 .231 .000 — 1.2 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.8 1.2
2015 Indiana 9 0 6.1 .500 .000 1.000 0.7 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.3 1.3
2016 Atlanta 2 2 32.0 .533 .250 .625 6.0 6.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 11.0
2018 Connecticut 1 0 10.0 .500 — — 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.0
2021 Minnesota 1 1 12.0 .000 .000 — 1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0
Career 6 years, 4 teams 22 3 10.9 .435 .333 .571 1.2 1.3 0.3 0.1 0.9 3.0

College

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NCAA statistics[38]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2009–10 California 37 28 24.9 .362 .262 .787 4.5 2.3 0.8 0.1 2.5 8.9
2010–11 California 34 34 33.5 .400 .337 .696 5.4 3.5 1.5 0.1 3.2 13.2
2011–12 California 35 35 33.8 .413 .327 .698 3.9 2.6 1.5 0.1 2.0 12.8
2012–13 California 36 36 35.5 .452 .325 .665 4.0 2.8 1.7 0.1 1.9 16.4
Career 142 133 31.8 .410 .313 .697 4.4 2.8 1.4 0.1 2.4 12.8

Activism

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In 2015, Clarendon won Outsports' "Female Hero of the Year", for using their platform in support of LGBTQ+ people in sports.[39] Clarendon stated that they wish to "open closet doors for women across sports".[39]

In 2017, Clarendon discussed the issues within the WNBA in regards to the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people.[40] Clarendon stated that during their early career playing for the Indiana Fever, the team was attempting to include LGBTQ+ individuals by participating in a "Diversity Night" during Pride month, which Clarendon felt was confusingly named, as a way to avoid the true purpose of Pride month.[40] As Clarendon began playing for other teams, they stated that they saw the league becoming more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community.[40]

In 2020, the WNBA and the Players Association branded the upcoming season "Social Justice Season", to emphasize issues including race, gun violence, LGBTQ+ advocacy. Clarendon was named as one of the players on the league's Social Justice Council, which was tasked with engaging community conversations, advocacy, and education on topics surrounding social justice.[41]

The beginning of the 2020 season saw Clarendon involved in protest around the shooting of Breonna Taylor and the "Say her Name" campaign which had begun in 2014. Black Lives Matter was also a predominant message and was visible on the courts during the season.[42]

The Commissioner of the WNBA, Cathy Engelbert, has shown her support for Clarendon by saying, "We are so proud that Layshia is part of the WNBA and we know that their voice and continued advocacy will not only support and help honor and uplift many other non-binary and trans people."[43] The New York Liberty and the WNBA players' union have also shown their support for the transition. The owner of the New York Liberty team, Joseph Tsai released a statement supporting Clarendon saying that they are "a proud embodiment of our belief that our strength lies in our truth and no one should live constrained by societal boundaries."[44]

Personal life

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In 2017, Clarendon married Jessica Dolan.[45] Clarendon and Dolan announced the birth of "#babyC" on December 25, 2020, and have not released the name or assigned sex at birth of the baby.[46] Clarendon later stated they were raising "Baby C" with gender expansiveness.[47]

Circa 2020, Clarendon came out as non-binary.[48] Clarendon uses she/her, they/them and he/him pronouns.[49][50] In 2015, Clarendon identified as "black, gay, female, non-cisgender and Christian".[51]

In 2021, Clarendon underwent chest masculinization surgery to remove breast tissue.[52][47]

References

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  1. ^ Kleen, Brendon. "WNBA's Layshia Clarendon Shares Story Of Top Surgery As Team, Union, Commissioner Show Support". Forbes. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "Layshia Clarendon – Women's Basketball". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  3. ^ Kahrizi, Kamin (February 10, 2013). "Player Spotlight: Layshia Clarendon". The Daily Californian. Archived from the original on February 26, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  4. ^ Layshia Clarendon. "Layshia Clarendon, California". Senior Class Award. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  5. ^ "Clarendon A Quiet Superstar". Pac-12 Conference. February 29, 2012. Archived from the original on May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  6. ^ "No. 6 Cal Beats Arizona WBB, 91–86". KVOA. February 10, 2013. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  7. ^ "Spokane Bound Cal Readies For Sweet 16". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. March 27, 2013. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013.
  8. ^ Almond, Elliott (April 1, 2013). "Cal women's basketball team reaches its first Final Four". The Mercury News. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  9. ^ "Louisville makes title game with second-half rally". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 7, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  10. ^ "U19 World's Championship for women Thailand". FIBA. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  11. ^ "Eighth FIBA Women's U19 World Championship – 2009". USA Basketball. November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  12. ^ "Clarendon Named To World Cup Roster". California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  13. ^ Lee, Seung Y. (April 16, 2013). "Layshia Clarendon drafted by WNBA team Indiana Fever in first round". The Daily Californian. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  14. ^ "Indiana trades Layshia Clarendon to Atlanta for draft pick". ESPN. May 10, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  15. ^ "2016 Player Review: Layshia Clarendon". WNBA. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "Atlanta Dream Re-sign Layshia Clarendon". WNBA. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  17. ^ Kunnath, Avinash (July 24, 2017). "Cal in the WNBA: Layshia Clarendon is an All-Star on the court and an activist off of it". californiagoldenblog.com. SB Nation. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  18. ^ "Layshia Clarendon's triple-double gone with the assists". ESPN. July 26, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  19. ^ "Dream Trade Layshia Clarendon, Draft Pick to Sun For Alex Bentley". WNBA. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  20. ^ Heavren, Natalie (June 25, 2019). "Layshia Clarendon undergoes ankle surgery — here's what it means for Connecticut Sun". High Post Hoops. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  21. ^ Allard, Marc. "WNBA: Connecticut Sun's Clarendon hoping to return for final series". Norwich Bulletin. Retrieved July 7, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  22. ^ "The WNBA's First Out Trans Player Was Just Cut From the New York Liberty". them. May 20, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  23. ^ Magliocchetti, Geoff (February 11, 2020). "New York Liberty sign guard Layshia Clarendon". Elite Sports NY. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  24. ^ "2020 Season in Review: Layshia Clarendon". liberty.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  25. ^ "New York Liberty Waive Layshia Clarendon". liberty.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  26. ^ FARAUDO, JEFF (May 31, 2021). "Back in the WNBA, Layshia Clarendon Sparks Minnesota Lynx to its First Victory". si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  27. ^ Youngblood, Kent (July 2, 2021). "Lynx sign Layshia Clarendon for the remainder of WNBA season". Star Tribune. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  28. ^ Hansen, Mitchell (April 21, 2022). "LAYSHIA CLARENDON PREPARES FOR FIRST FULL SEASON AS KEY PIECE FOR THE MINNESOTA LYNX". winsidr.com. WINSIDR. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  29. ^ Youngblood, Kent (February 2022). "Layshia Clarendon will be re-signed by Lynx after strong 2021 season". startribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  30. ^ Ryan, Shannon. "Lynx waive guard Layshia Clarendon ahead of 2022 WNBA season". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  31. ^ "Sparks Sign Veteran Guard Layshia Clarendon". Los Angeles Sparks. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  32. ^ Staff and news service reports | news@scng. com (September 8, 2023). "Sparks' playoff odds shrink after loss to Liberty". Orange County Register. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  33. ^ Mendez-Yapkowitz, David (August 3, 2023). "Sparks' Layshia Clarendon brings toughness on court". The Next. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  34. ^ "Sparks Re-Sign Layshia Clarendon and Rae Burrell". Los Angeles Sparks. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  35. ^ Ruby, Cameron (May 17, 2024). "Layshia Clarendon records first career triple-double". The Next. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  36. ^ "Sparks Guard Layshia Clarendon Announces Retirement". Los Angeles Sparks.
  37. ^ "Layshia Clarendon WNBA Stats". Basketball Reference.
  38. ^ "Women's Basketball Player stats". NCAA. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  39. ^ a b Outsports (December 21, 2015). "Female Hero of the Year: Layshia Clarendon". Outsports. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  40. ^ a b c Gibbs, Lindsay (June 30, 2017). "A gender nonconforming WNBA star is pushing the league forward on LGBTQ inclusion". ThinkProgress. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  41. ^ "WNBA Announces A 2020 Season Dedicated To Social Justice". WNBA. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  42. ^ Valenzuela, Sarah (January 2021). "Liberty's Layshia Clarendon defined exactly what it meant to be Black and play pro sports in 2020". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  43. ^ Kleen, Brendon. "WNBA's Layshia Clarendon Shares Story Of Top Surgery As Team, Union, Commissioner Show Support". Forbes. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  44. ^ Zillgitt, Jeff. "'No one can erase us.' New York Liberty's Layshia Clarendon has successful top surgery". USA Today. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  45. ^ Zeigler, Cyd (November 15, 2017). "Layshia Clarendon married her wife last weekend at their alma mater". Outsports. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  46. ^ Weldon, Shelby (December 25, 2020). "WNBA's Layshia Clarendon and wife Jessica welcome new baby". Outsports. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  47. ^ a b Chideya, Farai (March 19, 2021). "Our Body Politic: March 19, 2021 episode". Simplecast. KCRW, KPCC, and KQED. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  48. ^ Weldon, Shelby (June 8, 2020). "New York Liberty's Layshia Clarendon shares their coming out story". Outsports. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  49. ^ Bar-Lavi, Dani (August 18, 2020). "'Being Black and Non-Binary Is My Superpower': Layshia Clarendon on Race, Gender, Social Justice and the WNBA". Sports Are From Venus. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  50. ^ Kim, Michelle (February 1, 2021). "WNBA's First Openly Trans Player Got Top Surgery. Their Team Gives Full Support". them. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  51. ^ Layshia Clarendon (August 21, 2015). "Keeping the Faith". The Players' Tribune. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  52. ^ "WNBA's Layshia Clarendon has surgery to remove breasts". 8News. January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
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