The Cal 100: No. 66 -- Layshia Clarendon
We count down the top 100 individuals associated with Cal athletics, based on their impact in sports or in the world at large – a wide-open category. See if you agree.
No. 66: Layshia Clarendon
Cal Sports Connection: Clarendon was a four-year starter on the Cal’s women’s basketball team from 2009-10 through 2012-13.
Claim to Fame: Clarendon was a two-time all-Pac-12 selection, played on the 2013 Cal team that reached the Final Four, is in her 10th season in the WNBA, is the first openly non-binary WNBA player, and is an activist for social causes, including LGBTQ issues.
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Layshia Clarendon was a four-year starter and a two-time all-Pac-12 selection for Cal’s women’s basketball team that tied for the Pac-12 title in their senior season and reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
But that’s not the main reason Clarendon is included in the Cal 100.
Clarendon is currently playing her 10th season in the WNBA and is a starter for the Los Angeles Sparks.
But that’s not the main reason Clarendon is included in the Cal 100.
The chief reason Clarendon is one of the Cal 100 is that Clarendon is the first openly non-binary WNBA player and is an activist for social causes, including LGBTQ issues. And the WNBA has embraced their status and stance.
(Clarendon uses she/her, they/them and he/him pronouns)
Our definition for inclusion in the Cal 100 is “based on their impact in sports or in the world at large,” and nobody fits those criteria better than Clarendon.
Clarendon broke barriers in the sports world and the world in general when she came out in 2020 as non-binary. In 2021, Clarendon underwent top surgery, which is an operation to remove breast tissue. They also openly spoke about both issues publicly.
Clarendon and their advocacy of their non-binary status and place in society have been the focus of countless media reports. Clarendon was the subject of cover stories by ESPN and by SI.com as well as an interview by Cal Sports Report.
And Clarendon tweeted a video about his top surgery and related issues, and he showed photos in another tweet soon after the surgery.
"I’m usually not scared to share news publicly but the amount of hate, myths & ignorance actually had me debating sharing this joy," Clarendon wrote in that tweet. "I had Top Surgery! I’m feeling free & euphoric in my body & want Trans people to know and see that we’ve always existed & no one can erase us!"
Clarendon was named Outsports' "Female Hero of the Year" in 2015 for using her platform in support of LGBTQ athletes. Clarendon was named to the WNBA’s Social Justice League and has been an outspoken advocate for a number of social issues.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert showed support for Clarendon in a January 2021 Tweet:
Clarendon established his platform to be an influential pioneer and spokesman for social and individual issues based on his play on the basketball court. A two-time all-conference selection, Clarendon averaged 16.4 points as a senior and was a key component of the Golden Bears team that went 32-4 overall, 16-1 in the Pac-12, earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and reached the Final Four.
Photo courtesy of Cal Athletics
Clarendon was a first-round pick (ninth overall) in the 2013 WNBA draft, and they are currently playing their 10th season in the WNBA. The 32-year-old Clarendon has been a starting guard for the Los Angeles Sparks this season and continues to be a pioneer in sports.
Photo by Kirby Lee
The Cal 100: No. 67 -- Roy Riegels
Cover photo by Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
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