Today is the start of the WNBA season and the midst of the inaugural PWHL playoffs. (Go Boston!) Let’s celebrate with a some awesome family photos from queer parents in both leagues—plus a look at a great new middle grade book about a basketball-loving girl with two moms!
The images below don’t represent all of the queer parents in the leagues—this is just a small selection of recent family photos that caught my eye. (See my post from last month for the names of some additional queer parent WNBA players.) Stay tuned for more posts about the intersection of queer, parents, and sports—and here’s to these role models who show us how to balance career and family!
Candace Parker may have just retired, but as the newly named president of Adidas Women’s Basketball, she’ll likely still be around the court, along with her spouse, Russian Olympian Anna Petrakova, and their three children.
New York Liberty player and two-time Olympic gold medalist Breanna Stewart has two children with former Mercury player and Olympic silver medalist for Spain, Marta Xargay Casademont, and were featured by the Liberty and the league for Mothers’ Day.
Las Vegas Aces player and Olympic gold medalist Chelsea Gray and former American Samoan team player Tipesa Gray had their first baby earlier this year, and each shared for Mothers’ Day.
LA Sparks player Layshia Clarendon, the first out nonbinary WNBA player, and spouse Jessica Dolan, a sports executive, had a child in 2020, who clearly has some baller skills, too.
Seattle Storm player Sami Whitcomb and spouse Kate Malpass have two children and are clearly reveling in their growing family.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner and her spouse, attorney Cherelle Griner, are expecting a child in July.
Sure, I’m a Boston fan, but I’ll admit that PWHL New York player Madison Packer and spouse Anya Battaglino, a former player and hockey executive, have the most adorable family.
Finally, if you know any tweens who love basketball, have two moms, lots of siblings, and/or same-sex crushes—or just tweens who want to read about any of the above, check out Halfway to Harbor, the latest volume in the terrific series The House on Sunrise Lagoon, by Nicole Melleby. Read my full review—and see which queer mom superstar WNBA player gets numerous shoutouts in the book.
Also, if you’ve played college, national-level, or professional women’s sports yourself, check out LaunchBreak, a new online networking platform.
