Sheryl Swoopes, the three-time WNBA MVP and basketball legend, said she was a lesbian in 2005, making headlines as one of the first major athletes to come out.
You may be curious who is Sheryl’s husband, he is Chris Unclesho. They got married in 2017. Let’s see more about Chris Unclesho and their marriage.
Early Life: Growing Up with Big Dreams
Chris Unclesho was born in 1975 in Texas, a place where wide-open spaces and tight-knit communities shape young lives. Growing up in a modest neighborhood, he learned early on the value of family and hard work. His parents, though not wealthy, filled their home with love and lessons about doing your best.
At Marian Christian High School, Chris found a knack for teamwork, whether on the basketball court or in group projects. Sports were a big part of his life, not because he wanted fame, but because they taught him how to push through tough moments.
Basketball, in particular, caught his eye, and he’d spend hours shooting hoops, unaware that the sport would one day connect him to his future wife.
Career
After high school, Chris didn’t have a clear roadmap, but he had ambition. Texas, with its mix of small towns and big cities, gave him room to explore.
From Club Owner to Businessman
Chris carved out his own space in Houston’s lively nightlife scene. In the early 2000s, he owned Club Semper, a popular spot where athletes, celebrities, and locals mingled. Running a club isn’t easy, but Chris made it look smooth. He handled everything from booking DJs to keeping the vibe just right.
People who visited the club back then remember it as a place where everyone felt welcome, a testament to Chris’s knack for bringing folks together. His success with Club Semper showed he had a head for business and a heart for community.
A Shift to Trucking
Later, Chris pivoted to a different venture, owning a trucking company. It’s a big leap from nightlife to logistics, but it suited him. Trucking is about reliability, planning, and getting things done, qualities Chris had in spades. He built a business that kept goods moving across Texas and beyond, proving he could adapt and thrive in any field.
While Sheryl was dazzling on the court, Chris was quietly building his own legacy, one delivery at a time. I picture him checking routes late at night, making sure every truck was on track, always steady under pressure.
Stay Out of the Limelight
Unlike Sheryl, whose career put her in front of cameras, Chris preferred to stay behind the scenes. He didn’t seek headlines or red carpets. Instead, he focused on his work and the people around him.
That choice says a lot about who he is, someone who values substance over flash. Even as his businesses grew, he kept his focus on what mattered, supporting his family and standing by Sheryl through her highs and lows.
Meet Sheryl Swoopes: A Spark Ignites
A Chance Connection
Sheryl Swoopes was already a basketball icon when she met Chris in the early 2000s. As a star for the Houston Comets, she drew crowds wherever she went, including Club Semper. Chris, running the hottest spot in town, crossed paths with her during one of those lively nights.
They didn’t fall in love right away, but there was something special from the start. Friends say Sheryl was drawn to Chris’s easygoing charm, while he admired her strength and passion. It was a friendship built on mutual respect, with no rush to define it.
Rekindle Years Later
Life pulled them in different directions for a while. Sheryl’s career took her across the country and even overseas, while Chris stayed busy with his businesses. But fate has a way of circling back. In 2010, Sheryl returned to Houston after a stint playing in Greece.
Chris invited her to a barbecue at his place, a casual gathering that changed everything. Sheryl later shared that she tried on four outfits before heading over, a sign she felt something brewing. When Chris greeted her with a hug, she said her heart skipped a beat. That moment lit a spark that grew into something deeper.
A Friendship Turned Romance
What started as a friendship blossomed into love. Chris and Sheryl took their time, letting their bond grow naturally. They shared laughs, long talks, and quiet moments that built trust. For Sheryl, who’d been through so much in the public eye, Chris was a safe harbor. He didn’t care about her fame, he cared about her.
And for Chris, Sheryl brought a new kind of joy, someone who matched his loyalty with her own fierce heart. Their connection felt right, no matter what the world might say.
Marriage and Life Together
The Proposal That Shocked Many
On March 25, 2011, Sheryl’s 40th birthday, Chris got down on one knee and proposed. It was a moment that caught everyone off guard, not because of their love, but because of Sheryl’s past. In 2005, she’d come out as a lesbian, sharing her relationship with Alisa Scott, a former coach.
The world had labeled her, and now here she was, engaged to a man. Some fans cheered, others criticized, but Chris and Sheryl stayed focused on what mattered, their commitment to each other. They didn’t rush to the altar, waiting six years before tying the knot on July 21, 2017.
A Wedding Built on Love
Their wedding was intimate, a celebration of two people who’d found their way to each other. Sheryl shared a photo on social media, glowing in her dress beside Chris, who looked proud and happy. Friends who attended say it was a day full of laughter and tears, with music playing late into the night.
For Chris, marrying Sheryl wasn’t about proving anything to the world. It was about promising to stand by her side, through every challenge and joy. Their love felt like a quiet rebellion against anyone who tried to box them in.
Life as Partners
Today, Chris and Sheryl live a life that balances their different worlds. She’s a Hall of Famer, still involved in basketball as a coach and mentor, while he keeps his businesses running smoothly. They’ve settled into a rhythm, splitting time between Houston and other places their work takes them.
Kids and Family: Blending Lives
Sheryl’s Son, Jordan
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Sheryl brought a son, Jordan Eric Jackson, into their marriage. Born in 1997 during her first marriage to Eric Jackson, Jordan grew up with Sheryl’s fierce love and basketball in his blood.
Chris stepped into Jordan’s life not as a replacement dad, but as a steady presence. Jordan, now a young man playing basketball overseas, speaks highly of both his mom and Chris.
Build a Family Together
Chris and Sheryl don’t have children together, but their family is no less full. They’ve created a home where Jordan, their friends, and extended family feel welcome. Chris’s knack for bringing people together shines here.
Whether it’s hosting holiday dinners or just hanging out, their house is a hub of connection. Sheryl once said family is her anchor, and Chris helps make that true, always ready to lend a hand or crack a joke to lighten the mood.
Support Each Other’s Dreams
Family for them isn’t just about blood, it’s about support. Chris backs Sheryl’s work with young athletes, understanding how much it means to her. In return, she’s his biggest cheerleader, proud of the businesses he’s built.
They share a vision of lifting each other up, whether it’s Sheryl speaking at a youth camp or Chris closing a deal. Their partnership shows Jordan and everyone around them what love looks like when it’s rooted in respect.
Sheryl’s Journey Beyond Labels
When Sheryl came out as a lesbian in 2005, it was a bold move. She was one of the first big-name athletes to do so, paving the way for others. But her engagement to Chris in 2011 stirred confusion. Some called her a “lie-sexual,” others said she’d “gone back” to being straight.
Both sides missed the point. Sheryl’s heart doesn’t fit into a neat box, and that’s okay. Like a basketball player who can shoot, pass, and defend, she’s versatile, maybe bisexual, maybe something else entirely. Her love for Chris doesn’t erase her past, it adds to her story.
Chris’s Perspective on Love
What did Chris Unclesho think about marrying someone the world called a lesbian? He didn’t overthink it. To him, Sheryl wasn’t a label, she was the woman he loved. Friends say he brushed off the chatter, focusing on their bond. I imagine him saying, “Love is love,” with a shrug, not because it’s a cliché, but because he means it.
Chris saw Sheryl’s heart, her strength, her laughter, and that was enough. His choice to marry her shows a man who values truth over gossip, who sees people for who they are, not what others expect.
A Lesson for Us All
Their story challenges us to rethink how we view identity. Too often, we demand clear answers, gay, straight, or nothing. But life isn’t that simple. Sheryl and Chris remind us that love can be fluid, like a game where roles shift and players adapt. Judging her based on one chapter ignores the full playbook of her life.
Instead of boxing people in, we should celebrate their freedom to love whoever feels right, just as Chris did when he chose Sheryl.
