By
Erin Coulehan
For WNBA forward Kayla Thornton, success isn’t just about championships – it’s about legacy.
Hers began in the sun-soaked borderlands of El Paso, Texas.
“I feel like El Paso’s a hidden gem,” she says, reflecting on the city that shaped her. “People don’t really understand it until they come here. The peace, the vibes; it’s unexplainable.”
Thornton, now with the newly formed Golden State Valkyries, represents a rare blend of elite athleticism, humility, and fierce hometown loyalty. Her journey from a late-blooming basketball player at Irvin High School to WNBA champion is as inspirational as it is admirable.
Raised by her parents Lewis and Merteen Thornton, Thornton grew up in a faith-filled household with two brothers and a love for sport. Her first passion was track and field, where she dominated the district in the 100-meter hurdles, long jump, and triple jump.
But it was her quiet tenacity and raw talent on the basketball court that soon turned heads.
At Irvin High, she racked up 1,953 points and 884 rebounds, earning MVP honors and a spot in the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star Game. Despite the accolades, national attention was limited – something Thornton would change herself.
“I wanted to make a name for us,” she says. “To show that just because we come from somewhere not often in the spotlight, it doesn’t mean we don’t have talent. I do it for the 915 and for the kids watching.”
At UTEP, Thornton made history as the first player to average a double-double in a season (19.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG). By the time she graduated, she ranked second all-time in career double-doubles, third in rebounds, and ninth in scoring. Staying close to home, she says, was a blessing.
“I was excited to play in front of my family. I felt like I had a little edge by being the hometown girl. And, when things got tough, I could go home, reset, and be with my parents.”
But her transition to the pros didn’t come easily.
After going undrafted in 2015, Thornton signed with the Washington Mystics and appeared in 10 games that season. Many would have seen that as the end of the road. Thornton saw it as only the beginning.
She reentered the league with the Dallas Wings in 2017 and spent six seasons proving her worth. Known for her gritty defense, relentless energy, and leadership, she became a fan favorite and locker room cornerstone. In 2023, she was traded to the New York Liberty as part of a headline-making three-team deal – and the move paid off.
Thornton helped the Liberty reach the WNBA Finals in her first season. A year later, she and her teammates sealed the deal, hoisting the championship trophy in 2024.
“Man, just so many emotions,” she says. “My mom (she’s a preacher) and my spiritual grandmother always said I’d win a championship. Didn’t know how or when, but she said my parents would be running down the stadium or the beach to celebrate with me. To see that happen… It was amazing.”
Just months after that career-defining moment, Thornton was selected in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft by the Golden State Valkyries, marking a new chapter in a career built on adaptability, grace, and strength.
Her pro journey has taken her around the world – Australia, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Korea – but she’s never strayed far from her roots.
“I’m laid back. I don’t do too much,” she laughs, recalling her time in New York. “It’s a little too fast for me. I missed being able to get in my car, drive through the mountains, see the scenery. That peace is what I love about El Paso.”
Thornton’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet.
As a role model, especially for young girls, she’s intentional about being authentic and accessible.
“I try to be real. We all make mistakes. We all go through life. I talk about my faith, about how much I pray, about the people in my corner. If that helps someone find their path, then I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.”
Now with a championship ring and a leadership role on the league’s newest team, Thornton remains laser-focused – not only on wins, but also on the bigger picture: inspiring others, lifting her community, and showing what’s possible when heart and hustle meet.
“My parents instilled in me the right values: boldness, courage, faith,” she says. “That’s what’s carried me through. I’ll never stop repping El Paso.”
