Motherhood and the WNBA have become synonymous over the years, and Dearica Hamby is continuing to lead the charge by showing that elite athleticism and devoted motherhood go hand in hand. The Los Angeles Sparks star has always shared her journey with her daughter, Amaya, and now the duo is taking their bond from the hardwood to the bookshelf.

Hamby and Amaya recently announced the release of their new children’s book, My Mom, The MVP. What started as a casual conversation on a flight a year ago quickly became a published reality. While brainstorming goals for the new year, Amaya joked that the pair should write a book together. By the time the plane touched down, the story's framework was nearly complete.

The project is a non-fiction look at life through Amaya's eyes, detailing the unique experience of growing up with a professional basketball player as a mother. The story delves into the realities of training days, constant travel, and the importance of carving out one’s own path while supporting a parent’s big dreams. For Hamby, authenticity was the priority. The illustrations even feature Amaya’s signature French braids, a detail the youngster was adamant about including.

To bring the vision to life, the pair partnered with Elo, an AI-based reading app for children. In a move that secures Amaya’s future, Hamby shared that all profits from the book will be directed toward her daughter’s college savings fund.

The announcement sparked a wave of support from the sports world. WNBA peers like Lexie Hull, DeWanna Bonner, and Natisha Hiedeman voiced their excitement, while tennis sensation Coco Gauff also reached out to celebrate Amaya’s debut as an author.

While Hamby is winning off the court, she remains a force on it. Currently competing in the Unrivaled season, the veteran recently put up a massive 40-point performance for Vinyl. As she prepares for her next matchup against Laces on January 31, she does so with a new title to her name: co-author.