KaylaThornton

Drafted in the 2025 Expansion Draft to the Golden State Valkyries. Top-15 in WNBA in Offensive Rebounds in 2022; Set Single-Game Highs of 21 Points at Atlanta (7/30/22) and 15 Rebounds at Las Vegas (6/5/22) Last Season with Dallas

Position
Forward
Height
6-1
Weight
190 lbs
Birthdate
Oct 20, 1992
College/Country
Texas-El Paso/USA
Draft
Undrafted
EXP
9 years
5
Kayla Thornton headshot
PPG
14.0
RPG
7.0
APG
1.5

About Kayla

WNBA CAREER TRANSACTIONS

  • Went undrafted, signed with the Washington Mystics ahead of the 2015 WNBA season, where she played 10 games.
  • Signed with the Dallas Wings ahead of the 2017 WNBA season, where she spent six seasons (2017-22).
  • Was traded to the New York Liberty on January 16, 2023 as part of a three-team deal.
  • Acquired by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft on December 6, 2024.

COLLEGE

  • Became first-ever University of Texas at El Paso player to average a double-double (19.5 PPG & 10.1 RPG), which she achieved during her senior season (2013–14)
  • Ranks second all-time at UTEP in career double-doubles (21), third in rebounds (688), and ninth in points (1,016)

PERSONAL: Born in Germany… Daughter of Lewis and Merteen Thornton … has two brothers … was University of Texas-El Paso’s all-time leading scorer at the time of graduation…. Has played professionally in Australia, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Puerto Rico, Russia and South Korea… Four-year standout at Irvin High School … graduated as the school’s career record holder for points (1,953) while also amassing 884 rebounds … poured in 28 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per contest for the 1-4A champions … tabbed as the 1-4A female athlete of the year by the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame … also voted as the 2009-10 El Paso Times MVP… number two scorer in the state among Texas 4A players … Texas Girls Coaches Association all-state and all-star game honoree … chosen as an all-state performer by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches in 2009-10 … was a standout in track & field, and claimed the district title in the 100-meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump while securing second place in the 100-meter dash.