Kayla Thornton Siblings: A Look at the WNBA Player’s Family Tree

Kayla Thornton is an American professional basketball player currently playing as a forward for the Golden State Valkyries in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Born on October 20, 1992, in Germany—where her father was stationed as part of his U.S. military service—Thornton grew up in El Paso, Texas.

She rose to prominence through her stellar high school and college basketball careers before embarking on a successful professional journey in the WNBA and overseas.

Known for her defensive prowess, versatility, and relentless work ethic, Thornton has established herself as a key player in the league, earning accolades and contributing to championship teams.

Siblings

Thornton has two brothers, however, the names and other details of her brothers are not available in the public domain.

While her brothers’ involvement in sports or their current pursuits remain private, Thornton’s journey suggests a family dynamic rooted in encouragement and strength.

Career

Thornton’s basketball career began at Irvin High School in El Paso, Texas, where she set school records with 1,953 points and 884 rebounds over four years.

Her senior season was particularly standout, averaging 28 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, leading her team to a 1-4A championship.

She then attended the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,679 points and ranks among the top in rebounds and double-doubles.

Despite going undrafted in the 2014 WNBA Draft, Thornton persevered, signing with the Washington Mystics in 2015 and playing in 10 games during her rookie season.

Also Read: Diamond DeShields Siblings: A Closer Look at the WNBA Player’s Family 

Her career gained momentum when she joined the Dallas Wings in 2017, where she spent six seasons, establishing herself as a defensive stalwart and a reliable contributor.

In 2023, she was traded to the New York Liberty in a blockbuster deal that included Jonquel Jones, marking a new chapter in her career.

With the Liberty, Thornton transitioned into a valuable reserve role, showcasing her adaptability and contributing to the team’s success, including a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup victory in 2023.

On December 6, 2024, she was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Expansion Draft, where she continues to bring her veteran presence and defensive tenacity.

Beyond the WNBA, Thornton has played professionally overseas in countries such as Australia, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Puerto Rico, Russia, and South Korea, notably winning a championship with the Cheongju KB Stars in the Women’s Korean Basketball League (WKBL) in 2019.

Accolades

Thornton’s career is marked by numerous accolades that highlight her skill, dedication, and impact on the game.

During her high school years, she was named the 1-4A Female Athlete of the Year by the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame for the 2009-10 season and earned the El Paso Times MVP title after a stellar senior season.

At UTEP, she was a two-time All-Conference USA Second Team honoree in 2012 and 2013, received C-USA All-Defensive Team honors in 2013 and 2014, and became UTEP’s all-time leading scorer with 1,679 points.

In the WNBA, she won the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship in 2023 with the New York Liberty and finished third in the WNBA Most Improved Player voting in 2018 while with the Dallas Wings.

Overseas, she achieved significant success, including winning the WKBL Championship in 2019 with the Cheongju KB Stars, earning the WKBL Import Player of the Year title in 2019, and being named the WKBL Championship MVP in the same year.