The UTEP women’s basketball team is preparing to honor its newest hero, recently crowned WNBA champion Kayla Thornton, during the upcoming game against Morehead State on Nov. 10 at the Don Haskins Center.
Thornton, an alum of Irvin High School, helped lead her team, the New York Liberty, to victory in the WNBA championship game on Sunday night in overtime. She played a crucial role, clocking in 21 minutes as the sixth player.
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Five years after being inducted into UTEP’s athletics hall of fame, Thornton’s jersey will be retired and hung at the Haskins Center on Sunday, Nov. 10, declared as “Kayla Thornton Day.” El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser will also present her with recognition at the game.
The 6-foot-1 forward, Thornton, averaged 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds this season for the winning Liberty team, showcasing her skills as a top defensive player in the WNBA. With eight years of experience in the league, she continues to make an impact.
Having played at UTEP from 2010-14, Thornton left the university as the all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP hoops to celebrate its new WNBA champion with Kayla Thornton Day
