Kayla Thornton has re-signed with the Golden State Valkyries for the 2026 WNBA season. The veteran forward's return was announced by the team on Monday.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Big news for one of the top basketball players to come out of El Paso.
Kayla Thornton is returning to the Golden State Valkyries after the team announced it has re-signed the veteran forward on Monday.
The toughness. The edge. The standard.
We have re-signed Kayla Thornton.
Welcome back, @KBT_5Blessed ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/fxOaIxfijM
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) April 13, 2026
According to ESPN, Thornton agreed to a one-year deal that keeps her in Golden State for the 2026 WNBA season.
News: Kayla Thornton has signed a one-year deal with the Golden State Valkyries, per team.
Thornton was a key player for GSV last year enter suffering a season-ending knee injury coming out of the All-Star break in July.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) April 13, 2026
The upcoming campaign will mark Thornton’s 11th season in the league, adding to an already established career as a reliable and versatile contributor.
Thornton, an Irvin High School grad and former UTEP women’s basketball star, will look to remain a key piece for the Valkyries while also bouncing back from a knee injury that cut short what was a career year last season.
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Kayla Thornton agreed to a one-year deal with the Golden State Valkyries.
The re-signing was announced on Monday, April 13, 2026.
Kayla Thornton played for the Golden State Valkyries before her re-signing.
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