Last May was quite different for Washington Mystics guard Tayler Hill. Instead of preparing for training camp and the 2014 WNBA season, Hill was preparing to embark on a much different journey. Mother’s Day came and went as it does every year, but just a few weeks later the significance of that day changed forever for Hill.

On June 18, 2014, Hill and her boyfriend David Lighty welcomed their first son into the world. Hill gave birth to a healthy, 7-pound, 2-ounce and 21-inch baby boy, Maurice David Lighty, at 7:21 p.m.

Now, almost a year later, Mother’s Day has an extra special meaning for Hill.

“Maurice is doing good,” Hill said. “He’s getting big. He’ll be one next month, so we’re really excited. Time’s flying, I can’t believe already he’ll be one soon. But he’s a good boy. He’s such a happy baby all the time.

“It’s been a joy, a complete joy. You never really know what it feels like to really love somebody unconditionally, to me, until you have a kid. And I’ve experienced that since I’ve had Maurice. Your whole mindset changes. Any little thing you do you always think, ‘Is this going to be better for Maurice? Is going to better my son? Is going to put him at a better vantage point?’ Even if it’s for me. My thought process is him first in everything I do.”

Hill made it back to the basketball court for a few games near the end of the Mystics season last year, which came as a surprise given that she had just given birth in June. Head coach Mike Thibault gave Hill spot minutes in the Mystics final five regular season games as she worked to get back to 100 percent.

“During my pregnancy I stayed working out as much as possible,” Hill said of how she managed to get back on the court only a month after giving birth. “Biking, treadmill until I got so big, and then I was just doing the bike. But really it was just genes and God, because I’m not sure how I dropped the weight so quick, but then once I did drop the weight and was cleared and was able to get back, my trainer and my coaches – Navin [Hettiarachchi] and really my assistant coach Eric Thibault – they did a really excellent job of working me back in shape.”

Another offseason off the court gave Hill the chance to continue getting back into shape, but also to spend time with Maurice. Along the way she’s learned a lot as a mother, but she’s also had time to reflect on the difficulties of the past year.

“The biggest challenge for me was when I was able to come back,” Hill said, “and Coach Thibault threw me out there a little bit the last few games – didn’t play much – but threw me out there the last few games just to see what my rhythm was, I think that was the most challenging for me, because I wasn’t back 100 percent, of course, with five weeks out having a baby and was still trying to lose the weight and a step slower.”

Hill is just one WNBA player on a small list of those who juggle the jobs of being a mother and a professional basketball player. But in her first full season back in 2015, Maurice will still be well taken care of by his mom. In fact, he may even get to hit the road with the Mystics.

“I’m very excited. My son he goes with me everywhere,” said Hill. “I have a great nanny and a friend, Nicole. She travels with me everywhere I go. My family is very supportive. They’re at all the games, so Maurice will be well taken care of when I’m on the court or if I’m traveling and he’s not coming on the trip.”

The Mystics are trying to return to the playoffs for the third straight season. With Hill back in the fold and fully healthy, she’s preparing to contribute to a team that has operated more by a committee of solid players rather than powered by a sole superstar in recent years. Hill says she’s been in contact with the coaching staff during the offseason and is ready to hit the ground running after such an extended time away from the game.

“We’re all excited. We’re excited to get it done,” Hill said. “We’ve talked a few plans here and there about what they’re thinking for the season, but we’re ready to get the show on the road. We’re ready to get out there.”