Alyssa Thomas (born April 12, 1992) is an American professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

forward for the

Phoenix Mercury The Phoenix Mercury are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Western Conference. One of eight original franchises, it wa ...

of the

Women's National Basketball Association The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. The league comprises 13 teams (scheduled to expand to 15 in 2026). The WNBA is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan. The WNBA w ...

(WNBA). She played college basketball for the

Maryland Terrapins The Maryland Terrapins, commonly referred to as the Terps, consist of 19 men's and women's college sports in the United States, varsity intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Maryland, College Park in National Collegiate ...

. The

New York Liberty The New York Liberty are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Liberty compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Eastern Confer ...

drafted Thomas 4th overall in the 2014 WNBA draft, and immediately traded her to the

Connecticut Sun The Connecticut Sun are an American professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Sun compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Eastern Conference (WNBA), Eastern Conference. The team i ...

along with Kelsey Bone and a

2015 2015 was designated by the United Nations as: * International Year of Light * International Year of Soil __TOC__ Events January * January 1 – Lithuania officially adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the litas, and becomes ...

first-round draft pick in exchange for Tina Charles. Thomas is the University of Maryland's all-time leader in scoring, rebounding and double-doubles for both the women's and men's programs, and one of nine athletes in NCAAW history with six career triple-doubles. In the WNBA, Thomas recorded fifteen career triple-doubles. She is one of four players to record 15+, 15+, 10+ with 0 turnovers (

Nikola Vucevic Nikola () is a given name which, like Nicholas, is a version of the Greek '' Nikolaos'' (Νικόλαος) and it means "the winner of the people". It is common as a masculine given name in the South Slavic countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bul ...

2021,

Charles Barkley Charles Wade Barkley (born February 20, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player who is a television analyst on NBA on TNT, TNT and CBS Sports. Nicknamed "Sir Charles", "the Bread Truck", and "the Round Mound of Rebound", ...

1992, and

Fat Lever Lafayette "Fat" Lever (; born August 18, 1960) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association. He later served as the director of player development for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA as we ...

1988), the only WNBA player to do so ever. She also won gold medals for Team USA at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and the

2024 Summer Olympics The 2024 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad () and branded as Paris 2024, were an international multi-sport event held in France from 26 July to 11 August 2024, with several events started from 24 July. P ...

Early life

Thomas attended Central Dauphin High School in Pennsylvania and became the school's all-time leading scorer. She was named to the 2010 Parade All-American First Team, and was named a unanimous 2010 ESPN and USA Today All-American. She was selected as the 2010 Pennsylvania AAAA State Player of the Year.

College career

In her freshman season, Thomas was named 2011 ACC Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All-ACC Second Team. She led her team in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game, as well as 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. Thomas came to national attention in her sophomore season (2011-2012). After leading the ACC in scoring at 17.2 points per game, she was named the 2012 ACC Player of the Year and an AP, WBCA and USBWA First Team All-American. She led the Maryland Terrapins to the 2012 ACC Championship, scoring 29 points in the championship game against Georgia Tech and earning ACC Tournament MVP honors. The Terrapins went on to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, falling to Notre Dame in their final game of the 2011–2012 season. In her junior year, Thomas became the first person in NCAA or WNBA history to average over 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for an entire season. She won ACC Player of the Year for a second time and led the injury-addled Terrapins to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. Thomas capped her collegiate career by earning 2014 ACC Player of the Year for a third straight season, in addition to AP, WBCA and USBWA First-Team All America honors. She led a young Terrapins squad on a deep run through the NCAA Tournament, scoring a career-high 33 points against the Tennessee Lady Vols in the Sweet Sixteen en route to reaching the 2014 Final Four in Nashville. The Terrapins were defeated by Notre Dame in the Final Four match-up. On June 27, 2014, Thomas was named ACC Female Athlete of the Year. The University of Maryland honored Thomas's jersey in a ceremony on March 2, 2014.

Professional career

WNBA

Conecticut Sun (2014–2024)

Thomas was drafted 4th overall by the

in the 2014 WNBA draft, and was draft-day traded to the

alongside Kelsey Bone. In her rookie season, she averaged 10.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in her with the Sun in 34 games with 28 starts. She was named to the 2014

WNBA All-Rookie Team The WNBA All-Rookie Team is an annual Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) honor given since the 2005 WNBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the WNBA head coaches, who are not allowed to vote f ...

. After her rookie season, Thomas would continue her role as starting power forward for the Sun. In 2017, Thomas would emerge as an all-star in the league. She scored a career-high 26 points in an 86–76 win over the

Washington Mystics The Washington Mystics are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Mystics compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Eastern Conference (WNBA), Eastern Conference. The team was ...

. She would then be voted into the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, making it her first career all-star game appearance. Thomas would finish off the season setting new career-highs in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals as the Sun made the playoffs as the number 4 seed with a 21–13 record, receiving a bye to the second round, making it their first playoff appearance since 2012. In her first career playoff game, Thomas scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in an 88–83 loss to the

. In February 2018, Thomas re-signed with the Sun to a multi-year deal in free agency. On August 9, 2018, Thomas scored a season-high 22 points in a 101–92 victory over the

Dallas Wings The Dallas Wings are an American professional basketball team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Wings compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Western Conference. The team is owned by a group ...

to help the Sun clinch a playoff spot. The Sun finished 21–13 with the number 4 seed and a bye to the second round. The Sun would yet again lose to the Phoenix Mercury in the second round elimination game by a final score of 96–86.

Phoenix Mercury (2025–present)

On February 2, 2025, Thomas was traded to the Phoenix Mercury. The deal was originally reported as Thomas and Tyasha Harris being traded in exchange for Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and the 12th pick in the 2025 WNBA draft; however, it was officially part of a larger four-team trade.

Overseas

In 2014–2015, Thomas played in

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

for Bucheon KEB Hana Bank. She led the league in scoring and rebounding, averaging 19 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. In 2015–2016, Thomas signed in

Turkey Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...

for Yakin Dogu. In the 2016-17 offseason, Thomas signed with Yongin Samsung Blueminx of the Korean League. In 2017, Thomas resigned with Yongin Samsung Blueminx for the 2017-18 off-season. In 2018, Thomas signed with

USK Praha USK Praha (, University Sports Club Prague), formerly known as Slavia VŠ Praha (), is a Czech Republic, Czech professional basketball Club (organization), club that was founded in 1953 in the city of Prague. USK Praha plays in the National Bas ...

of the Czech League for the 2018-19 off-season. On April 15, 2023, Thomas was named the Defensive Player of the Year of the 2022–23 EuroLeague Women season.

Unrivaled

On November 12, 2024, it was announced that Thomas would appear and play in the inaugural 2025 season of Unrivaled, the women's 3-on-3 basketball league founded by

Napheesa Collier Napheesa Collier ( ; born September 23, 1996), nicknamed "Phee", is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Collier is also a founder of the Unrivaled (basketball le ...

and Breanna Stewart. She plays for the Laces.

National team career

2024 Summer Olympics

In June 2024, Thomas was named to the US women's Olympic team to compete at the

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

. Thomas and the United States defeated

67–66 in the

final Final, Finals or The Final may refer to: *Final examination or finals, a test given at the end of a course of study or training *Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which d ...

, earning Thomas her first Olympic gold medal and the United States' eighth consecutive gold medal.

Player profile

Shooting style

Thomas is left-handed and learned ambidexterity while growing up. She has a torn labrum in each shoulder. Michael Rosenberg of ''Sports Illustrated'' described her one-handed shooting style as, "a shooting motion that looks like a waiter carrying a tray, then throwing it in the air and quitting." During Game 2 of the 2021 semifinals against the

Las Vegas Aces The Las Vegas Aces are an American professional basketball team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Aces compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Western Conference. The team plays its home game ...

, Thomas dislocated her right shoulder. She returned to play in Game 3, scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Career statistics

WNBA

Regular season

''Stats current through end of 2024 season'' , - , style="text-align:left;",

2014 The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...

, style="text-align:left;",

Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

, style="background:#D3D3D3", 34° , , 28 , , 27.3 , , .436 , , .333 , , .757 , , 5.1 , , 1.5 , , 1.0 , , 0.2 , , 1.7 , , 10.1 , - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 24 , , 23 , , 26.0 , , .411 , , — , , .692 , , 5.3 , , 1.4 , , 1.2 , , 0.2 , , 1.7 , , 8.8 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2016 2016 was designated as: * International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly. * International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 31 , , 31 , , 27.1 , , .487 , , — , , .634 , , 6.0 , , 2.3 , , 1.4 , , 0.2 , , 2.4 , , 11.1 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2017 2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly. Events January * January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 33 , , 33 , , 29.8 , , .509 , , .000 , , .567 , , 6.8 , , 4.5 , , 1.5 , , 0.4 , , 2.9 , , 14.8 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency. * January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 24 , , 24 , , 30.6 , , .464 , , .000 , , .547 , , 8.1 , , 4.2 , , 1.2 , , 0.4 , , 2.0 , , 10.3 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2019 This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year. Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, style="background:#D3D3D3", 34° , , style="background:#D3D3D3", 34° , , 30.2 , , .505 , , .000 , , .496 , , 7.8 , , 3.1 , , 1.9 , , 0.4 , , 2.0 , , 11.6 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2020 The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 21 , , 21 , , 32.8 , , .500 , , .000 , , .686 , , 9.0 , , 4.8 , , 2.0 , , 0.3 , , 2.5 , , 15.5 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2021 Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 3 , , 0 , , 12.3 , , .267 , , — , , .750 , , 3.3 , , 1.3 , , 0.3 , , 0.0 , , 1.0 , , 3.7 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2022 The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, style="background:#D3D3D3", 36° , , style="background:#D3D3D3", 36° , , 32.1 , , .500 , , .000 , , .730 , , 8.2 , , 6.1 , , 1.7 , , 0.2 , , 2.9 , , 13.4 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2023 Catastrophic natural disasters in 2023 included the Lists of 21st-century earthquakes, 5th-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, striking Turkey and Syria, leaving up to 62,000 people dead; Cyclone Freddy ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, style="background:#D3D3D3", 40° , , style="background:#D3D3D3", 40° , , 36.2 , , .474 , , .000 , , .715 , , 9.9 , , 7.9 , , 1.8 , , 0.5 , , 3.4 , , 15.5 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2024 The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, style="background:#D3D3D3", 40° , , style="background:#D3D3D3", 40° , , 32.4, , .509, , .000, , .628, , 8.4 , , 7.9 , , 1.6 , , 0.5 , , 3.6 , , 10.6 , - class="sortbottom" , rowspan=2 style="text-align:left;", Career , style="text-align:left;", 11 years, 1 team , 320 , , 310 , , 30.5 , , .483 , , .095 , , .646 , , 7.5 , , 4.6 , , 1.5 , , 0.3 , , 2.6 , , 12.2 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;", All-Star , 5 , , 1 , , 14.7 , , .917 , , — , , — , , 4.0 , , 2.0 , , 0.4 , , 0.2 , , 0.8 , , 4.4

Playoffs

, - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 1 , , 1 , , 32.0 , , .667 , , .000 , , .667 , , 10.0 , , 1.0 , , 2.0 , , 0.0 , , 6.0 , , 20.0 , - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 1 , , 1 , , 35.0 , , .538 , , .000 , , 1.000 , , 3.0 , , 3.0 , , 0.0 , , 0.0 , , 1.0 , , 17.0 , - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 8 , , 8 , , 37.0 , , .532 , , — , , .778 , , 9.3 , , 6.6 , , style="background:#D3D3D3", 2.4° , , 0.1 , , 2.1 , , 16.0 , - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 7 , , 7 , , 32.4 , , .515 , , .000 , , .767 , , 8.1 , , 4.0 , , 1.7 , , 0.4 , , 2.1 , , 17.9 , - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 4 , , 0 , , 23.3 , , .408 , , .000 , , .636 , , 6.0 , , 3.8 , , 1.5 , , 0.5 , , 1.3 , , 11.8 , - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 12 , , 12 , , 33.5 , , .474 , , .000 , , .576 , , 9.5 , , 6.3 , , 1.5 , , 0.7 , , 2.5 , , 12.3 , - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 7 , , 7 , , 38.9 , , .500 , , .000 , , .630 , , 8.0 , , style="background:#D3D3D3", 10.3° , , 1.7 , , 0.3 , , 2.7 , , 18.1 , - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 7 , , 7 , , 38.7, , .495, , .000, , .778, , 7.9 , , 9.4, , 1.0, , 0.0, , 2.6, , 14.9 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:left;", Career , style="text-align:left;", 7 years, 1 team , 47 , , 43 , , 34.6 , , .498 , , .000 , , .701 , , 8.4 , , 6.7 , , 1.6 , , 0.3 , , 2.4 , , 15.2

College

, - , style="text-align:center;", 2010-11 , style="text-align:center;", Maryland , 31, , 31, , 27.1, , .480, , —, , .730, , 7.3, , 1.6, , 2.1, , 0.2, , 2.6, , 14.5 , - , style="text-align:center;", 2011-12 , style="text-align:center;", Maryland , 35, , 35, , 31.9, , .462, , .259, , .800, , 8.0, , 3.2, , 1.6, , 0.4, , 2.4, , 17.2 , - , style="text-align:center;", 2012-13 , style="text-align:center;", Maryland , 34, , 34, , 34.2, , .452, , .429, , .765, , 10.3, , 5.3, , 1.8, , 0.8, , 4.0, , 18.8 , - , style="text-align:center;", 2013-14 , style="text-align:center;",

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...

, 35, , 34, , 30.9, , .513, , .240, , .797, , 10.9, , 4.1, , 1.5, , 0.4, , 2.5, , 19.0 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan=2, Career , 135 , , 134 , , 31.1 , , .476 , , .268 , , .774 , , 9.1 , , 3.6 , , 1.8 , , 0.4 , , 2.9 , , 17.5

Personal life

Thomas is the older sister of former Wake Forest player, Devin Thomas. In February 2021, she and

teammate, DeWanna Bonner, shared that they were in a relationship, and in July 2023 they became engaged.DeWanna Bonner Dewannabonner(February 16, 2021). You know how sometimes great things happen, and you really don't expect it !!! Well this was one of them❤️❤️ !! I know some may have a lot of questions, but I didn't post this picture for that, just to show pure happiness!!! This is how I ended my Valentine's Day!! Laughing until my belly hurt with this amazing human!! ❤️❤️ @athomas_25 nstagram photoretrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/CLXuAxlhFXG/

References

External links

*
Maryland Terrapins bio
*
Alyssa Thomas
at

USA Basketball USA Basketball (USAB) is a non-profit organization and the governing body for basketball in the United States. The organization represents the United States in FIBA, and the men's and women's national basketball teams in the United States ...

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Alyssa 1992 births Living people 21st-century American LGBTQ people All-American college women's basketball players American lesbian sportswomen American women's basketball players Basketball players at the 2024 Summer Olympics Basketball players from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Connecticut Sun players LGBTQ basketball players LGBTQ people from Pennsylvania Maryland Terrapins women's basketball players New York Liberty draft picks Parade High School All-Americans (girls' basketball) Phoenix Mercury players Power forwards Unrivaled basketball players WNBA All-Stars Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball 21st-century American sportswomen

Early life

College career

Professional career

WNBA

Conecticut Sun (2014–2024)

Phoenix Mercury (2025–present)

Overseas

Unrivaled

National team career

2024 Summer Olympics

Player profile

Shooting style

Career statistics

WNBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

Personal life

See also

References

External links