Layshia Clarendon

12-Year WNBA Veteran, First Openly Transgender & Non-Binary Player in WNBA History

Layshia Clarendon

12-Year WNBA Veteran, First Openly Transgender & Non-Binary Player in WNBA History

Add to List Availability & Fees

Biography

Layshia Clarendon is a recently retired 12-year WNBA veteran point guard. In their two terms as WNBPA vice president, they helped negotiate a groundbreaking CBA agreement that will serve as a bedrock for women’s professional sports leagues moving forward. In 2018, Clarendon captured gold with Team USA in the FIBA World Championships. The previous season, Layshia was named a WNBA All-Star, led the league in total assists, and broke the franchise record for assists in a single season with the Atlanta Dream.

Clarendon was Cal’s leading scorer while in college, where they led the Golden Bears to the first Final Four in school history. During their senior season, they were an All-Pac-12 first-team selection and the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In 2022, Layshia was inducted into the Pac-12 Hall of Fame.

Clarendon is a noted social advocate, speaker and writer who is often asked to lend their voice and perspective on a range of social issues. In 2020, Layshia Clarendon became the first out trans and nonbinary player in WNBA history. As an anchor athlete for Athletes for Impact, Layshia launched The Layshia Clarendon Foundation in 2021 to help broaden healthcare access for trans and nonbinary people. They have also been published in The Players’ Tribune, Mic, Esquire and ESPN.

Drawing on their experiences as a professional athlete, labor leader and advocate for LGBTQIA+ equity, Clarendon speaks with universities, organizations, corporations, and community groups about leadership, identity, mental health and building more inclusive spaces in sports and society. Layshia Clarendon works in partnership with APB Speakers for speaking engagements worldwide.

Speaker Videos

Layshia Clarendon's Historic WNBA Career

WNBA Player Layshia Clarendon on Top Surgery Experience

Speech Topics

Rising Above: A Personal Journey of Resilience & Humanity

In this powerful and deeply personal keynote, Layshia Clarendon shares a story of perseverance, courage, and the determination to rise above life’s challenges. From overcoming personal adversity to breaking barriers in professional basketball, Clarendon reflects on the moments that tested their strength and ultimately shaped their purpose. Through honest storytelling and heartfelt reflection, they explore the universal lessons of resilience, identity, and personal growth that connect people across all walks of life. Clarendon reminds audiences that setbacks do not define us, but how we respond to them can transform our lives. This inspiring talk encourages listeners to face challenges with courage, compassion, and a renewed belief in their own potential.

Audiences will learn:

How resilience and perseverance can transform adversity into personal strength.
Why embracing vulnerability and authenticity can deepen connection and leadership.
How individuals can approach life’s challenges with courage, hope, and determination.

Sports as a Catalyst for Change: Stories that Move Society Forward

In this inspiring keynote, Layshia Clarendon explores how sports can extend far beyond competition to become a powerful force for cultural and social change. Drawing from their own journey in professional basketball and the experiences of athletes who have used their platforms to advocate for progress, Clarendon highlights how stories of perseverance, courage, and leadership resonate far beyond the arena. They examine how athletes have shaped important conversations about justice, representation, and community. Through thoughtful storytelling and reflection, Clarendon demonstrates how authenticity and purpose can transform influence into impact. This keynote reminds audiences that the real power of sports lies not only in victory, but in the values and stories that inspire society to move forward.

Audiences will learn:

How athletes can use their platforms to influence conversations about leadership, justice, and community.
Why storytelling in sports has the power to inspire cultural change beyond the playing field.
How individuals can use their own experiences and voices to drive meaningful impact.