From overcoming personal setbacks to returning to the court just two months after giving birth, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus has built her career on resilience, discipline, and relentless determination. In this powerful conversation, the Las Vegas Aces forward opens up about motherhood, redemption, professional basketball, and the mindset that carried her through adversity to become one of the WNBA’s most respected veterans. She also reflects on faith, family, and why she refuses to let obstacles define the trajectory of her life or career.
You moved from New York to North Carolina. Is that where the interest in basketball first started?
My interest in basketball started when I was a little girl. My brothers played. I’m the baby, and I had an older brother who was about 17, and my other brother is 16 months older than me. I wanted to do whatever he was doing, so that’s really where it started.
What helped you flourish as a player early on? Did your brothers play a big role in that?
Definitely. Them pouring into me and teaching me the game — how to shoot, how to dribble — played a huge role. My parents also poured into me and gave me the opportunity to flourish in the game.
You attended High Point University before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University. After college, you were drafted No. 5 overall in the first round of the WNBA Draft. What did that moment mean to you?
It was crazy. Especially because I had a little bump in the road during my senior year. Honestly, it was God being with me throughout my career and allowing that to happen. It was amazing.
Can you talk about that setback?
Yeah. I failed a drug test and was dismissed from the team for smoking weed. It wasn’t something uncommon, but I got caught. Looking back, I feel like I got caught for a reason. It was something I had to learn from. It was a big lesson. I had to snap out of the mindset that I could do whatever I wanted to do. I had to realize there were rules I needed to follow.
Did that incident change your focus?
Definitely. After that, I stopped smoking completely because I realized if I wanted to play basketball, I couldn’t do it. When I got drafted, people were saying teams were “taking a chance” on me. I didn’t even attend the draft. I watched it on TV. So when I was drafted fifth overall, it was definitely one of those “wow” moments.
During the offseason, you’ve played internationally in places including China, Poland, South Korea, and France. Have you noticed differences in how women’s basketball is respected overseas compared to the United States?
Overseas, women’s basketball has always been popular in a lot of countries. They’ve paid us well for years, which is why so many players go overseas. Here in the United States, the respect has grown over time. The new collective bargaining agreement helped because players are finally being paid more reasonably. Over my 11 or 12 years in the league, I’ve definitely seen the respect factor grow tremendously.
You welcomed your first child in 2021 and your second last year. You also returned to the court just two months after giving birth. What has balancing family and basketball looked like for you?
It’s a wild ride. People ask me all the time how I do it, and honestly, it’s not easy. The grind of it all can be difficult, but it’s also worth it. I get to play basketball professionally while my children watch me do it. That’s such a blessing. For me, it comes down to staying prayed up and making sure my mindset and mental health are good. If my mindset weren’t right, none of this would work. I keep reminding myself that hard times don’t last forever.
A lot of people assume having children puts a pause on traveling and life on the road, but you’ve brought your family along with you. How has that experience impacted your children?
That was non-negotiable for me. I wasn’t going to continue my career without my children by my side. My husband and I made it work, and it’s been worth it. My daughter has already been to Italy and China. She’s cultured, smart, and exposed to so many different people and environments at only 4 years old. It’s been an amazing experience for all of us.
What excites you most about joining the Las Vegas Aces this season?
So much. The Aces are the top organization in the league. After being drafted to Chicago and then playing in Atlanta, I’ve experienced different organizations, and I can honestly say I’ve never been treated better. From the coaching staff to the medical staff, everyone is intentional about taking care of the players. They make sure we’re healthy and feeling good. That’s a big reason why they’ve been champions. There’s no magic formula. It’s about intention.
Outside of basketball, you also launched Born Queen Boutique. What inspired that business venture?
I actually started the LLC just to learn the process of opening businesses. Around that time, I was modeling a lot and building my portfolio. I created calendars and sold apparel like hats, T-shirts, and tank tops with words like “Relentless” on them. My first calendar sold out immediately, which inspired me to keep growing the brand online. I eventually slowed down after I became pregnant with my daughter Naomi because I was really sick during my pregnancy. But the experience taught me a lot about running a business, selling products, and building an online store.
Can fans expect to see more fashion and modeling from you in the future?
Absolutely. I’m always open to photo shoots and runway opportunities. I’ve worked with some amazing stylists and designers in the past. My mom modeled when she was younger, and I grew up inspired by the photos I saw of her. Modeling is something I’ve always enjoyed because of that influence.
What do you hope women and young girls, including your own daughter, take away from your story?
Always believe in yourself and know that you’re capable of doing anything. Keep your pedal to the metal. Never stop. “Relentless” is one of my favorite words for a reason. I want to always carry myself that way. I’d tell any little girl to stay relentless and never let anyone tell her what she can’t do.
Lis Bryant
