Liberty 2023 Player Preview: Kayla Thornton

Adding Kayla Thornton in a trade wasn't the defining move of the New York Liberty's offseason but she still stands as one of the depth stars that will ensure the seafoam ship runs smoothly.

The New York Liberty are set to embark upon one of the most anticipated seasons in franchise, if not WNBA, history. Fresh off consecutive playoff appearances, the Liberty made several moves that have some observers labeling them a "superteam" that could yield the organization's first championship after over two decades of waiting.

All Knicks will have coverage of the Liberty's quest for WNBA hardware as tip-off looms on Friday night in Washington (7 p.m. ET, WWOR/NBA TV) before the Brooklyn opener against Indiana two days later. With the 12-woman roster officially unveiled, AK will feature play-by-player previews leading into the weekend. 

First up is Kayla Thornton...

Name: Kayla Thornton
Height/Weight: 6-1, 190 lbs.
College: UTEP
Experience: 8th season (1st with Liberty)

The Story So Far

The 30-year-old Thornton's basketball career has been defined by her participation in various hardwood projects, all of which have been well-earned. Her quest to become El Paso's all-time leading scorer saw her take on headlining duties in the Miners' record-breaking 29-win season in 2011-12. 

She went undrafted in 2014 and lasted only 10 games in the following season with Washington before finding a roundball home in Dallas, where she spent the past six years as the Wings tried to find some momentum in the Lone Star State after their previous identity as the Detroit Shock short-circuited. Such a journey was remarkably similar to that of the Liberty's, albeit on an abbreviated level: Dallas found a franchise face in Arike Ogunbowale and surrounded her with both championship expertise (Diamond DeShields, Natasha Howard) and young flair (Teaira McCown, rookie Maddy Siegrist).

There's no denying, however, that Dallas lost a part of its franchise soul with Thornton dealt in the three-team deal that also sent Jonquel Jones to New York. Thornton, primarily known for her defensive physicality was never a star attraction but became a staple of North Texas gamedays (131 starts over the past five years). She saved her best for last, ranking in last year's top ten for offensive rating (118.4, 4th) and later put up 20 points in a playoff match against Jones and the Sun during the WNBA Playoffs. Thornton also set a career-best in average rebounds (5.9) a year after she ranked eighth in total offensive boards (65, 8th).

They Said It

"I'm a very vocal person. My main thing is my defense and then obviously my offense comes. I'm just coming and trying to be the best two-way player I can be ... It's been a blessing. When (the trade) happened, I didn't see it coming...I'm blessed to be in this opportunity. I'm going to take full advantage of it."-Thornton on what she brings to New York

"When I think about intensity, I think about Kayla Thornton. I think about what she adds to us. She's aggressive, she's intense. She's a veteran, and she's a smart player. She gives us that edge."-Liberty assistant coach Roneeka Hodges

Outlook

It's perhaps easy for Thornton to get lost in the fold in the hoopla of the Jones deal, especially as she's possibly poised to come off the bench after the past half-decade as a starter. But supposed superteams, ironically, only go as far as their role players and Thornton represents what's been both lost and gained over the years for New York.

Thornton's size, for example, lingers close to 2021 Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere, who was dealt to Phoenix in the midst of a superstar-induced budget crunch. Her defensive intensity (and career path) could be further compared to Rebecca Allen, who was involved in her trade and will now make a home in Connecticut after eight years on Liberty ledgers. 

Now poised to be one of New York's depth stars, Thornton is set to work with versatile, returning All-Star Betnijah Laney, who called the former Wing her de facto clone after a handful of training camp practices.

"We're similar players," Laney, who was limited to nine games last season due to injuries, noted. "We like to get after it, we play hard, we're gritty. I didn't know she was going to be so cool because I'm used to going against her! 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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