“I’ve learned a lot about myself and my capabilities. It’s allowed me to just power to push on, because some days it’s not easy.”

WNBA All-Star Cheyenne Parker-Tyus lives to embrace the challenge. From multiple moves across the country to coming back from pregnancy and becoming an All-Star with the Atlanta Dream, the New York native doesn’t bat an eye.

Parker-Tyus, who recently gave birth to her second child, sat down with Newsweek to talk about pregnancy and motherhood in the WNBA, her training regimen and what she misses the most about being on the hardwood.

Meeting Motherhood Head-On

When you’re discussing North America’s “Big Four” sports, parenthood doesn’t really enter the equation. An athlete might miss a game or two when their partner is due to give birth; in other situations, we’ll hear about family ties, like how LeBron and Bronny James play together.

The WNBA, however, has to address motherhood head-on.

A 10-year veteran of the league, Parker-Tyus has seen the growth and development of the WNBA first-hand, saying, “I think that when I was first in the league, if I had had a kid, it would have been a lot harder.”

She’s found unofficial support in moms’ group chat, but there’s still room for improvement when it comes to how the league can collectively face the unique challenge of being both a high-level professional athlete and a mother.

“It’s actually something that I wish was…a space for moms,” Parker-Tyus said. “But right now, it’s more of just, like, ‘If you did it, kudos.’ And then fend for yourself, unless you’re the type to reach out, which I am. So I have a few mom friends in the league that, and then a few that I already knew, like Katie Samuelson, already knew her, but I reached out to a few other moms as well, and just kind of got to know them, because I just hate that disconnect.

“I wish it was a little more of a connection, because it is a small number and, like, it’s not like a easy thing to do, so to have overcome it and have done it, and be doing it is kind of a connection we should foster, not even like on a spiritual side, but just also, just like on a business side, because it’s such a rare thing. It’s also something that people are very curious about and would love to know more about. And I think that if we were to really collaborate and come together, it would, I think it would put together some really cool projects in the future. So I hope that can change, you know? I hope that can become a stigma that’s not so quiet and never talked about.”

As she explained, coming back to work after giving birth is a challenge for any working mother, especially for one with WNBA championship aspirations. But for Parker-Tyus, a challenge isn’t a roadblock, it’s something to be met with enthusiasm.

“I like to embrace challenges, you know, and like, face them head-on. So this has been a really challenging time, but really fun,” she said. “At the same time, I’ve learned a lot about myself and my capabilities and what I’m capable of. So it’s allowed me this just power to push on, because some days it’s not easy, but I’ve been able to stay consistent for the most part, and keep a really nice workout and nutrition regimen to just kind of stay hot, stay ready, even while baking the baby.”

An Ace Up Vegas’ Sleeve

But Parker-Tyus’ story isn’t just about motherhood. She still plans to return to the hardwood this season and, when she does, the New York native will be looking to make an impact.

In Parker-Tyus, the Las Vegas Aces should have a fearsome defender with a healthy scoring arsenal, including an effective three-pointer to stretch opposing defenses. That long-range weapon is one that she’s been adding to her toolbox since her time at High Point University in North Carolina.

“My brother was always a sharpshooter, and we got to spend some time in the gym one off-season. He taught me simple stuff, like shooting mechanism drills, just like, to get that touch,” she recalled.

The fifth pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft, Parker-Tyus began her career with the Chicago Sky. And while turning pro is always an emotional moment, it carried a bit of extra weight given her path to the Windy City.

“Coming from getting kicked off the team [at Middle Tennessee State after a failed drug test] at the end of my senior season, possibly like shooting myself in the foot from any aspirations of playing pro to still getting drafted, fifth pick. It was like a Cinderella story moment, God is real moment,” she said.

Early on, Parker-Tyus carved a lane for herself with her defense and energy, but her long-range shooting remained untapped.

“I ended up playing for coaches that didn’t know how much work I had put in to develop my three, so they just were not giving me that green light,” she said.

That green light to take perimeter shots led to Parker-Tyus’ breakout season in 2018.

“When I look back, when I first started working on it was my sophomore year in college, and it was so bad,” the forward added. “When I look back, I’m like, ‘Wow, I’ve come so far,’ because now it’s wet automatic, like, barely going to miss it.”

Parker-Tyus knows that what she brings to the squad isn’t solely on the court, and the reshuffling Aces can use every additional card they can play.

“I am so excited to because I know what I can bring to the team, and help, not even stats-wise, but definitely stats-wise, but even off the court leadership, just that vocal energy. We need that so bad, but I’m pregnant, so it’s but so much I could say to them, but I think that is huge.”

Want an example of what that vocal energy looks like?

“Being hype and turning my sis up after she gets an and-1, or just being the one to do that nitty-gritty stuff, you know? Get a chest bump, like, ‘yeah, that’s what I want.’ That’s the energy I need,” she said. “That game against LA, A’ja [Wilson] had 30-something. It was funny because I forgot for a second I was pregnant. I was on the bench, and I just body bumped her, and I’m like, ‘Oh s***. Definitely got a kid in my stomach,'” she recalled.

Defense First

Parker-Tyus is well-versed in the art of bucket getting, but that isn’t what she’s looking forward to the most upon her return to the court. Instead, she has her eyes turned to what’s often the less glamorous end of the floor.

“One of my main focuses coming back is to be one of the best defenders,” she said. “Not even just blocking shots more. All around, I’m gonna be a help-side defender. I’m gonna be a one-on-one defender like my-man-is-not-going-to-score defender, but I just think defense is something that’s like one of those things that’s forgotten about. It will keep your ass in the league if you can get some stops, but if you can’t guard, you become a liability.

“I would rather be a defensive-minded player getting stops, because offensively, especially if I get a steal, I’m gonna make the right play. I could dribble. I could come through three-on-one, two-on-one, transition, like I’m taking up the court. Why not be more focused on defense? Because defense is what’s gonna win the games anyway. I’m at the stage of my career where I want to win. I want a championship; that’s my mindset. So I’m more focused.”

And what is she looking forward to the most on that defensive end?

“I’m not gonna say a block. I’m gonna say a steal. I want to get a steal. If I get a steal first, and then I push you to transition, and maybe an assist or a bucket after that, we’re going to be I’m turned up like on the inside. I don’t know if it’s going to come out on the outside. Probably will, because I’m so bottled up just watching that.”

But amid all the challenges, Parker-Tyus knows not to be overzealous upon her return. Even when you’re bringing the energy and making defensive stops, a veteran can’t get too carried away.

“Oh, I hope I don’t act too crazy my first time back,” she said. “I gotta be cool.”