Valkyries' Kayla Thornton followed her own path, to the surprise and delight of her parents
As an expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries weren't expected to have a star.
But Kayla Thornton may be emerging as one.
The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, Thornton led Golden State on Thursday to an 88-77 victory over Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever with 16 points and six rebounds in just 20 minutes of play.
Thornton, the team's leading scorer (14.8), credits her success in part to the system head coach Natalie Nakase has built. The former New York Liberty champion, who has nearly 10 years of WNBA experience, feels 'the freest I've ever been.'
'Coach (Nakase), she has a system for us that gives us the ultimate confidence to do what we have to do to showcase our game,' Thornton said. 'She allows us to be free. I think this is the most freest I've ever been since I've been in the league. And I just thank her for the opportunity because you don't get that a lot.'
Thornton's parents, Lewis and Merteen Thornton, who were proudly wearing Valkyries jerseys with Thornton's No. 5 at Thursday's game, echoed that sentiment. The recently retired couple travels from their home in El Paso, Texas, to watch their daughter's home games at Chase Center.
'I think with the Valkyries, she's playing like she played at UTEP. No worries, no overthinking. If she sees the ball, she's shooting or assisting because she's happy,' said Merteen. 'When you can feel free, you can really accomplish a lot. And I think that's where my daughter is right now. She feels free. She feels good. The team is wonderful.'
Thornton said that part of that freeness is pushing her boundaries — getting out of her comfort zone and adapting to greater offensive opportunities than she had with the Liberty.
With New York, Thornton was a defensive dynamo off the bench. With the Valkyries, she recorded the team's first basket and first double-double. In addition to her career-best scoring, she leads the team in rebounds (7.1) and steals (1.8).
'I was happy everywhere. I love New York, but here is just a little different,' Thornton said. 'The people that I have around me, just understanding my role (is) a little different. So I'm embracing that and I'm happy because I love challenges. I love new opportunities, so for me to be able to do that is great.'
Lewis Thornton said his daughter was never one to shy away from a challenge. As Thornton grew — she's 6-foot-1 — she and her dad knew she had an innate athletic prowess. But he didn't expect her talent to take her to the basketball court.
'There was always something unique about her,' Lewis said. 'She started off in track and field, and she was doing great there, but then (one day) she had an itch. 'I want to play basketball,' and I said, 'No darling, no, no no, you are a track star.''
On the track, Thornton was well-rounded, running the 400-meter hurdles, 400-meter dash and 'all the relays' while also competing in the long jump and triple jump. But after she started watching the WNBA, she began to imagine what it would be like to play in the league — to pursue basketball at the highest level. After some convincing, Thornton began playing basketball in addition to track and field.
'But God knows what to do, right? And she did both. So that proved her point. And (her success) made me like, 'Look, sit down, have a seat,'' Lewis laughed. 'That's my daughter, and she knew what she was doing.'
The adoration the Thortons have for their daughter is palpable, but it's clear that the feeling is mutual.
'My parents mean everything. They're both retired now, so it's just a blessing that God has blessed me to be in the position that I am, that wherever I go, I could bring them with me.' Thornton said. 'They've been working hard to get me to where I'm at now, and now I'm working to allow them to enjoy the fruits of the labors that they have provided for me.'
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