Shelden Williams is a star on and off the court. On the court he plays his heart out for the Brooklyn ‘Nets,’ while off court he serves as daddy and playmate to 3-year-old daughter Lailaa.
“Being a father just changes you. Before we had a daughter, I would never carry my wife’s purse, but magically one day I was carrying Lailaa’s purse. I don’t know what happened. Now I’m the one playing dress up or tea party,” Shelden said to ESPN. “[We] like to play hide-and-seek on Skype, but she doesn’t really understand the concept and will hide behind the couch with her legs hanging out or pop out when I ask her to.”
Due to his and wife Candace Parker’s ambitious careers, Shelden is often forced to spend quality time with his daughter via Skype only. “I’m different than a lot of dads. I don’t see how these guys cannot be around their kids. They take it for granted how accessible their kids are. I see my child maybe half the year and I don’t take any moment for granted,” said Williams.
“He is a great father, very hands-on, and she is in love with him,” Parker says of Sheldon.
Lailaa is Candace and Shelden’s first child together.
Photo:ESPN
