Unrivaled inks WNBA All-Star Kayla Thornton to expanding 2027 roster

Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAYThu, July 2, 2026 at 4:01 PM UTC

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WNBA All-Star Kayla Thornton is going to the 305.

On Thursday, July 2, Miami-based 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled announced Thornton signed a multiyear deal to join the organization. Thornton is set to make her debut in 2027, when Unrivaled's third season begins.

The club Thornton will play for will be announced at a later date. Thornton joins a growing league roster for next season, which includes Olivia Miles, Gabby Williams, Flau'jae Johnson, Bridget Carleton and Marine Johannès.

"'Be the right person for the right time' ― Kairos!” Thornton said via release. "Unrivaled is another opportunity for me to grow as a basketball player while continuing to show people who I am and what I stand for."

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Thornton, who has played eleven seasons in the WNBA, is currently averaging 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in her second year with the Golden State Valkyries. The former UTEP Miner joined Golden State after being selected in the team's 2024 expansion draft.

In 2025, she had a breakout year, starting 22 games for the Valkyries while averaging a career high 14 points, seven rebounds and 1.3 steals. Thornton's production earned her a WNBA All-Star nod, the first in her career. She became just the seventh undrafted player in league history to receive the honor.

Before joining the Valkyries, Thornton spent two seasons with the New York Liberty, where she was part of the franchise's first championship in 2024. The Valkyries forward also had previous stints with the Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings before she was traded to New York.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Unrivaled signs WNBA All-Star Kayla Thornton to blooming 2027 roster

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