If you think about the Minnesota Lynx has become a powerhouse this season, of course, Napheesa Collier’s name would be the first one on your lips. But at the same time, you would not be able to snub the team’s second-leading scorer of this season, Kayla McBride. After all, the Notre Dame grad made it to the WNBA All-Star Game for the fourth time this season in her 10-year-long career. However, a support system right from the grassroots level would have definitely been crucial in helping McBride reach where she has today.

As the 32-year-old guard shines on the court for Cheryl Reeve’s team during the playoffs, it’s equally fascinating to learn about her family life as McBride takes immense pride in her parents’ relationship, sharing “He loves my mom, and they’re still together to this day — they’ve worked through their things.” Well, it’s the diversity in the Lynx guard’s family background that adds another layer of intrigue to her story and that’s what we will be trying to unravel today.

How family support shaped Kayla McBride’s basketball journey

“I’m going to be vulnerable and share something really personal, but first, I need to explain my parents,” McBride shared with The Players Tribune in 2020. Her background reveals a compelling story, as the Minnesota Lynx star was born to LaMont and LuAnn McBride in Erie, Pennsylvania on June 25, 1992. Her mother, a white woman, grew up in rural Pennsylvania, while her father, LaMont, is black and grew up in a low-income urban environment. They got together when they were 18.

From an early age, Kayla McBride, affectionately known as Kay-Mac, was immersed in the world of basketball, thanks to her father, LaMont. He officiated high school games and worked at summer camps, where McBride often tagged along. By the time she was four, she was spending her summers at those camps, soaking in the game. LaMont also pushed her to play against boys who were bigger and stronger, challenging her to toughen up and sharpen her skills.

Her father quickly recognized the potential in his daughter and ramped up her training, creating opportunities for her to grow and expand her skills. That early exposure to intense competition became the cornerstone of McBride’s development, building the resilience and talent that would ultimately define her successful career.

“My dad was the one who put the basketball in my hands. He was a referee from the time I can remember, and he taught me who Michael Jordan was. He bought me every freaking DVD collection of all MJ’s highlights and everything,” stated Kay-Mac earlier. Her father continued to support McBride even after she made it to the big stage, even traveling to Istanbul when she was playing in the Turkish league.

McBride’s resilience in facing life’s challenges can be traced back to her mother, who balanced the demanding role of raising four children while also supporting a partner dealing with his own past traumas and anxiety. Her father’s difficult upbringing often influenced their daily life, leading to some tense moments between him and her mother. Yet, through it all, they have managed to navigate the ups and downs of married life, emerging stronger together.

Well, as mentioned, Kayla McBride comes from a family with siblings, one of whom even got inspired by her elder sister’s journey to becoming a professional basketball player.

Kayla McBride’s impact on her siblings

Kayla McBride is the eldest of four siblings, with two younger sisters, Karlee and Jayden, and a younger brother, Aaron, who is the only boy in the McBride family. Jayden has shown her own promise on the basketball court, playing for Cathedral Preparatory School during her high school years. She went on to play Division I basketball at Georgetown University, continuing the McBride family’s strong basketball tradition.

Well, it was Karlee McBride, who truly followed in her footsteps by making basketball her profession. Karlee played Division I basketball at Indiana University, where she had a notable college career. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sports Communication and Broadcasting and later transitioned into coaching. Today, she serves as the Director of Player Development and Recruiting for Women’s Basketball at Virginia Commonwealth University, continuing her journey in the sport.

Now, when the Pennsylvania-born guard gears up for yet another opportunity to prove herself in the Lynx’s semifinal matchup against the Connecticut Sun, her entire family will be rooting for everything to fall into place. Despite an impressive 10-year career, Kayla McBride has yet to add a WNBA championship to her resume. However, she did manage to secure the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup earlier this season, giving her a taste of victory along the way.

“To be able to break the cycle with the parents is really, really important for me. I’ve been open about me and my dad’s relationship. He’s been open to me about the things he felt he could never express. So breaking that cycle is important for kids,” believes McBride as she makes an attempt to understand her parent’s experiences while fighting on the court to make them proud of their daughter.