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Layshia Clarendon, Los Angeles Sparks guard and social justice icon in the WNBA, has announced this week their retirement as a professional at the age of 33. Clarendon shared the news on Instagram, marking the end of a 12-year career.
The American, who made history as the league’s first openly nonbinary and transgender player, last played for their team in a game against the New York Liberty on 15 August. Over the course of their path, they averaged 7.6 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game.
Reflecting on their decision to retire, they said, “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.”
Clarendon’s impact resonated both on and off the court. Beyond being a skilled athlete, they were a groundbreaking advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation in sports and a passionate voice for social justice.
Sparks coach Curt Miller emphasized Clarendon’s influence, stating, “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 journey in professional basketball began when they were drafted ninth overall by the Indiana Fever in 2013. Over the course of their career, they played for several teams, including the Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty, and Minnesota Lynx, before concluding their journey with the Sparks.
A career highlight came in 2017 when they were selected as a WNBA All-Star while playing for the Dream. “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,” Clarendon shared.
During the 2020 WNBA season, held in a bubble due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Clarendon made a powerful statement in support of the transgender community. Alongside their teammates, they wore “Trans Lives Matter” shirts, even though Clarendon had not yet publicly shared their gender identity. After the season ended, they came out as nonbinary and transgender, further cementing their role as a key figure in advocating for representation in sports
Clarendon’s influence also extended to their leadership within the league. In 2016, they were elected as the first vice president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). In this position, Clarendon was pivotal in negotiating the league’s 2020 collective bargaining agreement, which brought significant improvements in player salaries, travel conditions, and support for players who are parents. Additionally, they championed LGBTQIA+ inclusivity throughout the league and played a leading role in dedicating the 2020 season to the “Say Her Name” campaign, a movement advocating for racial justice.
Lindsay Gottlieb, who coached Clarendon at the University of California, Berkeley, where they led the Golden Bears to their first-ever women’s basketball Final Four in 2013, highlighted Clarendon’s lasting legacy. “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 built a deep connection with fans, particularly those in the LGBTQIA+ community. About that bond, they often spoke of the emotional support they 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.
