Alyssa Thomas

Alyssa Thomas (born April 12, 1992) is an American professional basketball forward for the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins. The New York Liberty drafted Thomas 4th overall in the 2014 WNBA draft, and immediately traded her to the Sun along with Kelsey Bone and a 2015 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 only three athletes in NCAAW history with six career triple-doubles.[1] In the WNBA, Thomas recorded eleven career triple-doubles.[2] She is one of four players to record 15+, 15+, 10+ with 0 turnovers (Nikola Vucevic 2021, Charles Barkley 1992, and Fat Lever 1988), the only WNBA player to do so ever.[3]

Alyssa Thomas
Thomas in 2019
No. 25 – Connecticut Sun
PositionPower forward
LeagueWNBA
Personal information
Born (1992-04-12) April 12, 1992
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High schoolCentral Dauphin
(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
CollegeMaryland (2010–2014)
WNBA draft2014: 1st round, 4th overall pick
Selected by the New York Liberty
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–presentConnecticut Sun
2014–2015Bucheon KEB Hana Bank
2015–2016Yakin Dogu
2016–2018Yongin Samsung Blueminx
2018–2023USK Praha
Career highlights and awards
Stats at WNBA.com
Medals
Representing  United States
Women’s basketball
World Cup
Gold medal – first place2022 Australia
Basketball 3x3
World Championship
Gold medal – first place2012 AthensWomen's

Early years

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,[1] and was named a unanimous 2010 ESPN and USA Today All-American.[1] She was selected as the 2010 Pennsylvania AAAA State Player of the Year.[1]

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.[1]

Thomas came to national attention in her sophomore season (2011-2012). After leading the ACC in scoring at 17.2 points per game,[4] 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.[1]

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.[5] 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.[1]

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.[1] On June 27, 2014, Thomas was named ACC Female Athlete of the Year.[6]

The University of Maryland honored Thomas's jersey in a ceremony on March 2, 2014.[7]

Maryland statistics

Source[8]

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
Year Team GP Points FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010-11 Maryland 31 450 48.0 - 73.0 7.3 1.6 2.1 0.2 14.5
2011-12 Maryland 35 601 46.2 25.9 80.0 8.0 3.2 1.6 0.4 17.2
2012-13 Maryland 34 640 45.2 42.9 76.5 10.3 5.3 1.8 0.8 18.8
2013-14 Maryland 35 665 51.3 24.0 79.7 10.9 4.1 1.5 0.4 19.0
Career Maryland 135 2356 47.6 26.8 77.4 9.1 3.6 1.8 0.4 17.5

Professional career

WNBA
Thomas in 2017

Thomas was drafted 4th overall by the New York Liberty in the 2014 WNBA draft, and was draft-day traded to the Sun 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.[9] She was named to the 2014 WNBA All-Rookie Team.[10]

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.[11] 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 Phoenix Mercury.

In February 2018, Thomas re-signed with the Sun to a multi-year deal in free agency.[12] On August 9, 2018, Thomas scored a season-high 22 points in a 101–92 victory over the Dallas Wings to help the Sun clinch a playoff spot.[13] 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.

Shooting style

Thomas has a torn labrum in each shoulder. Michael Rosenberg describes her one-handed shooting style in Sports Illustrated: "a shooting motion that looks like a waiter carrying a tray, then throwing it in the air and quitting." She is left-handed and learned ambidexterity while growing up. During Game 2 of the 2021 semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces, Thomas dislocated her right shoulder. She returned to play in Game 3, scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds.[14]

Overseas

In 2014–2015, Thomas played in South Korea for Bucheon KEB Hana Bank. She led the league in scoring and rebounding, averaging 19 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.[15] In 2015–2016, Thomas signed in Turkey 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.[16] In 2018, Thomas signed with USK Praha 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.[17]

WNBA career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2014 Connecticut 34°2827.3.434.200.7575.11.51.00.21.710.0
2015 Connecticut 242326.0.411.000.6925.31.41.20.21.78.8
2016 Connecticut 313127.1.487.000.6346.02.31.40.12.411.1
2017 Connecticut 333329.8.509.000.5676.84.51.50.42.914.8
2018 Connecticut 242430.6.464.000.5478.14.21.10.42.010.3
2019 Connecticut 34°34°30.2.505.000.4967.83.11.90.42.011.6
2020 Connecticut 212132.8.500.000.6869.04.82.00.32.515.5
2021 Connecticut 3012.3.267.000.7503.31.30.30.01.03.7
2022 Connecticut 36°36°32.1.500.000.7308.26.11.70.22.913.4
2023 Connecticut 40°40°36.2.474.000.7159.97.91.80.53.415.5
Career 10 years, 1 team 28027030.2.480.063.6487.44.11.50.32.412.4

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2017 Connecticut 1132.0.667.000.66710.01.02.00.06.020.0
2018 Connecticut 1135.0.538.0001.0003.03.00.00.01.017.0
2019 Connecticut 8837.0.532.000.7789.36.62.40.12.116.0
2020 Connecticut 7732.4.515.000.7678.14.01.70.42.117.9
2021 Connecticut 4023.3.408.000.6366.03.81.50.51.311.8
2022 Connecticut 121233.5.474.000.5769.56.31.50.72.512.3
Career 6 years, 1 team 332932.9.498.000.7068.55.31.70.42.214.7

Personal life

Thomas is the older sister of former Wake Forest player Devin Thomas.[18] In February 2021 she announced to be in a romantic relationship with her Connecticut Sun teammate DeWanna Bonner, and in July 2023 they became engaged.[19]

See also

References
  1. "Maryland Profile". umterps.com.
  2. Amore, Dom (October 1, 2023). "Dom Amore: Connecticut Sun season sets, but leaves fierce pride behind". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  3. Vanoni, Maggie (August 1, 2023). "Connecticut Sun defeat Minnesota behind historic triple-double performance from Alyssa Thomas". Darien Times. Hearst Communications. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  4. "#25 Alyssa Thomas - Maryland (2013-14) - Women's Basketball State". wbbstate.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
  5. Todd Carton. "Maryland women's basketball: Alyssa Thomas named ACC Player of the Week". Testudo Times.
  6. Atlantic Coast Conference. "Atlantic Coast Conference - Official Athletics Site".
  7. "Thomas to Have Jersey Honored at Senior Day". umterps.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
  8. "NCAA® Career Statistics". web1.ncaa.org. Retrieved 2016-05-21.
  9. "Abby Bishop". WNBA.
  10. "Top Three Selections in 2014 WNBA Draft Head WNBA All-Rookie Team". WNBA.com. 2014-08-28. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  11. "Thomas scores 26 points, as Sun beat Mystics 86-76". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  12. "Connecticut Sun re-sign Alyssa Thomas to multi-year deal". summitthoops.com.
  13. "Sun Clinch Playoff Berth With 101-92 Win Over Wings". wnba.com.
  14. Rosenberg, Michael (Sep 16, 2022). "Alyssa Thomas Revives Sun in Must-Win Game 3". Sports Illustrated. ABG-SI LLC. and Ward, Zachary (September 16, 2021). "'The Engine' returns". SwishAppeal. Vox Media. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  15. "South Korean Basketball, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards - asia-basket.com". www.eurobasket.com.
  16. "WNBA Players Playing Overseas". wnba.com.
  17. "MVP Meesseman headlines EuroLeague Women Awards winners". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  18. Barker, Jeff (February 17, 2014). "Wake Forest's Devin Thomas is more than just Alyssa's little brother". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  19. DeWanna Bonner [@Dewannabonner] (2021, February 16). 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 [Instagram photo] retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/CLXuAxlhFXG/
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