Cheyenne Parker-Tyus Bio
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (born August 22, 1992) is an American professional basketball player who plays power forward for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Standing 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and listed at 193 lb (88 kg), she has built a career around interior scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility. Over the course of her career, she has been recognized as a WNBA All-Star and is a WNBA champion.
Born in Queens, New York, Parker-Tyus developed her game in High Point, North Carolina, and rose through the college ranks at High Point University and Middle Tennessee State University. Selected fifth overall in the 2015 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky, she has spent more than a decade playing at the professional level in the United States and abroad. In addition to her WNBA career, she has competed in top leagues in China, South Korea, Poland, France, and Italy.
Early Life and Background
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus was born and raised in Queens, New York, where she first discovered her love of basketball. After her parents divorced, she and her mother moved to High Point, North Carolina, to give her better access to competitive basketball opportunities. The relocation proved pivotal in shaping her development as a young athlete.
She enrolled at Southwest Guilford High School, where she played for the girls’ basketball team and quickly established herself as a standout talent. Her size, athleticism, and work ethic caught the attention of college recruiters, and she emerged as one of the more highly regarded post players in her region. Those high school years laid the foundation for her eventual move into Division I college basketball.
Path to Basketball
After graduating from Southwest Guilford High School, Parker-Tyus committed to High Point University, where she played for the women’s basketball program from 2010 to 2013. During her time with the Panthers, she earned multiple conference honors, including Big South All-Freshman Team recognition in 2011 and Big South Defensive Player of the Year honors in both 2012 and 2013. She was also named First-team All-Big South in 2013, cementing her status as one of the conference’s top post players.
Looking for a new challenge in 2014, Parker-Tyus transferred to Middle Tennessee State University for her final collegiate season. She posted career-high numbers in scoring and shooting percentage while helping anchor the Blue Raiders’ frontcourt. Her performance at Middle Tennessee elevated her draft stock and ultimately positioned her as a lottery pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft.
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus Career
Early Career (2015-2017)
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus was selected fifth overall in the 2015 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky, beginning her professional career in her rookie season. She appeared in 30 games off the bench and averaged 2.2 points per game as the Sky finished second in the Eastern Conference with a 21-13 record. Chicago was eliminated 2-1 by the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs.
In her second season, she made her first career start and went on to play 25 games with seven starts, averaging 4.0 points per game. The Sky finished fourth in the league with an 18-16 record and earned a bye to the second round, where they defeated the Atlanta Dream before falling 3-1 to the eventual champion Los Angeles Sparks. Parker-Tyus continued to come off the bench in 2017, averaging 3.0 points across 23 games as the Sky missed the playoffs with a 12-22 record.
Chicago Sky Breakthrough (2018-2020)
The 2018 season marked a clear breakthrough for Parker-Tyus, who expanded her offensive game by adding a three-point shot. On June 3, 2018, she scored a career-high 20 points and added 13 rebounds in a 95-90 victory over the Las Vegas Aces. She later tied that career high on July 31, 2018, hitting a game-winning putback to beat the Dallas Wings 92-91. She finished the year with career-high marks across major statistical categories, playing 34 games with five starts.
After re-signing with the Sky on a two-year deal in 2019, Parker-Tyus continued to thrive in a reserve role. She set a new career high with 22 points in a June 24 win over the Connecticut Sun and matched it later in the season against the Minnesota Lynx. The Sky returned to the playoffs as the number 4 seed, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 105-76 before being eliminated 93-92 by the Las Vegas Aces on a late half-court three-pointer by Dearica Hamby. In the shortened 2020 season played in the IMG Academy bubble, she posted new career highs in scoring, assists, rebounds, and shooting percentages, scoring 24 points with 10 rebounds against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 6, 2020.
Atlanta Dream Era (2021-2024)
Following her successful run in Chicago, Parker-Tyus signed with the Atlanta Dream in 2021, embarking on a new chapter of her WNBA career. Over four seasons with the Dream, she provided veteran leadership, frontcourt scoring, and rebounding. Her strong play during this period earned her a WNBA All-Star selection in 2023, validating her standing among the league’s elite post players.
Las Vegas Aces Era (2025-Present)
On February 6, 2025, Parker-Tyus signed with the Las Vegas Aces, joining one of the most decorated franchises in the WNBA. Her time with the Aces peaked with a WNBA championship in 2025, the crowning achievement of a decade-long professional career. In April 2025, she announced her second pregnancy and was expected to miss at least the first three months of the WNBA season.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a 6 ft 4 in power forward, Parker-Tyus brings a versatile inside-out skill set. She scores effectively in the paint with her size and footwork, has expanded her range to include the three-point shot, and uses her length to disrupt opponents on the defensive end. Her ability to grab rebounds at a high rate and protect the rim has made her a reliable two-way contributor throughout her career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature moments, Parker-Tyus recorded a 20-point, 13-rebound performance against the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, hit a game-winning putback against Dallas the same year, and set a personal best of 24 points against the Sparks in 2020. Her 2023 WNBA All-Star selection and 2025 WNBA championship stand as the defining milestones of her professional journey.
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus Career Wins
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus has built a well-rounded professional resume that includes league championships, individual awards, and consistent production across multiple WNBA seasons. Her trophy case features a WNBA title, All-Star honors, and a series of conference accolades from her college years.
WNBA Highlights
Parker-Tyus captured her first WNBA championship in 2025 as a member of the Las Vegas Aces, the pinnacle of a career that began when she was drafted fifth overall in 2015. She earned her first WNBA All-Star selection in 2023, a recognition that reflected her sustained impact as a starter and leader at the professional level.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, she was a three-time Big South Conference award winner, capturing Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013 and First-team All-Big South honors in 2013, after earning All-Freshman Team recognition in 2011. Internationally, she has competed for respected clubs including Henan Phoenix, Wisla Can Pack, Bucheon KEB Hana Bank, Sichuan Blue Whales, Basket Lattes, Virtus Bologna, Zhejiang Chouzhou Bank, and Beijing Great Wall.
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus was born and raised in Queens, New York, before relocating with her mother to High Point, North Carolina, following her parents’ divorce. Her mother played a central role in supporting her basketball development, and the family move was made specifically to open up more competitive opportunities for her as a young athlete.
Personal Life
Off the court, Parker-Tyus announced in April 2025 that she was expecting her second child, with plans to miss at least the first three months of the 2025 WNBA season. She continues to balance her professional basketball career with her growing family.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 WNBA season marked a milestone year for Cheyenne Parker-Tyus. After signing with the Las Vegas Aces on February 6, 2025, she joined a championship-caliber roster and quickly contributed in the frontcourt. In April 2025, she announced her second pregnancy and was expected to miss at least the first three months of the season, but her teammates and the Aces organization continued to push forward in her absence.
When she returned to the floor, Parker-Tyus added scoring, rebounding, and veteran presence to a deep Aces lineup. Her interior play and three-point shooting helped complement the team’s stars, and her experience playing in high-pressure games over the previous decade proved valuable during the playoff run.
The season ultimately ended in celebration for Parker-Tyus, as the Las Vegas Aces captured the 2025 WNBA championship, awarding her the first title of her professional career. The championship served as the perfect capstone to a year that balanced personal milestones with on-court success.