UTEP to celebrate WNBA champion Kayla Thornton at women’s basketball game Nov. 10
EL PASO, Texas - UTEP will pay tribute to native El Pasoan and WNBA champion Kayla Thornton at the Miner women’s basketball game versus Morehead State on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 6 pm.
Nov. 10 will also be known as “Kayla Thornton Day” in the Sun City.
Her jersey will take its place in the Haskins Center rafters at the basketball game.
El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser will also be in attendance to make a special presentation to Thornton.
A 6’1” forward, Thornton played for the Miners from 2010-14.
She is fresh off a championship run with the New York Liberty, who defeated the Minnesota Lynx, 67-62, on Sunday to capture the WNBA title in five games.
Thornton has spent the last two seasons with the Liberty, appearing in 80 regular season games with 11 starts.
She has totaled 399 points (5.0 ppg), 244 rebounds (3.1 rpg), 54 assists (0.7 apg), 57 steals (0.7 spg) and 19 blocks (0.2 bpg) during her time in the Big Apple.
The Irvin High School graduate was inducted into the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.
She is the Miners’ all-time leading scorer (1,679 points), while also ranking first in field goals (600), free throws (390), rebounds (1,032) and double-doubles (40), and second in steals (217).
She was three-time All-Conference USA while at UTEP (first team 2014, second team 2012 & 2013), and an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press as a senior.
“I’m excited and looking forward to celebrating ‘Kayla Thornton Day’ with Kayla and her family,” UTEP women’s basketball coach Keitha Adams said. “It was such an honor to coach Kayla for four years at UTEP. We made memories that all of us can cherish forever. It’s been truly remarkable watching Kayla flourish in her professional career, playing at the highest level and winning a championship with the New York Liberty. Kayla loves El Paso, loves UTEP, and has represented us big time. Let the party and celebration be special El Paso - let’s show her how much we love her!”
Tickets for the Nov. 10 basketball game, starting at $8, are available by calling (915) 747-UTEP or by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com.
