Sparks star Dearica Hamby, like many other WNBA players, juggles motherhood and basketball perfectly, and the mother-daughter duo recently came up with a wholesome project.

Besides leading her team to multiple WNBA victories, Hamby's title and her daughter's presentation testified that the 32-year-old is even better at motherhood.

Hamby channeled the spirit of motherhood into words with her daughter, Amaya, by her side. The duo recently released a children’s book titled My Mom, The MVP.

The idea for the book began as a casual conversation mid-flight, which then grew into a meaningful story rooted in real-life love and a powerful mother-daughter bond.

Hamby revealed that the idea occurred about a year ago during a flight. "A year ago on a flight, we started brainstorming goals for the new year. Amaya joked about us writing a book together… and it was nearly finished by the time we landed."

The lighthearted moment quickly turned serious, especially given Amaya’s love for writing short stories about her little brother, Hamby joked.

The duo took their time to find the right partner before releasing the book. They eventually found 'Elo', a company focused on helping children learn to read through an AI-based app. All profits from the book will go into Amaya’s college saving.

The non-fiction children’s book is told through Amaya’s eyes, offering readers a glimpse into life with a professional basketball player as a mom. It explores training days, travel, big dreams, and the importance of finding your own path.

Hamby emphasized, "This book is non-fiction, rooted in real love, real moments, and real conversations." The illustrations reflect the authenticity. Amaya was, as Hamby noted, “VERY adamant about her French braids”, which appear on her animated character on the cover beside Hamby in her No. 5 Sparks jersey.

The WNBA community lauded Dearica Hamby and Amaya wholesome project

Hamby and Amaya's efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as fans and fellow athletes flooded social media with support for My Mom, The MVP. Paige Bueckers, Natisha Hiedeman, and Lexie Hull cheered, while DeWanna Bonner sent love through heart emojis.

The notoriety of the duo's hearty presentation also extended beyond the WNBA community. Tennis star Coco Gauff expressed her happiness for Amaya. Hamby replied back saying she was already asking if she could send her one book.

While ensuring creativity at home, she continues to deliver on the court. During the 2026 Unrivaled regular season, she posted standout performances with Vinyl, including a dominant 40-point outing against the Hive on January 11, shooting 16-of-22 with 10 rebounds.

With My Mom, The MVP being up for pre-sales now, Hamby shifts her focus to the next matchup between Vinyl and Laces on January 31.

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Souvik Roy