EL PASO, Texas — In a scene that felt ripped straight from a Hollywood sports drama, Kayla Thornton, El Paso’s pride and basketball dynamo, watched her No. 15 jersey rise to the rafters of the Don Haskins Center. Cue the triumphant soundtrack, right? Thornton’s jersey isn’t just a piece of fabric—it’s the first women’s basketball jersey to ever hang up there, and boy, did it deserve its moment in the spotlight.
Thornton, who played for UTEP from 2010 to 2014, has had quite the year. Let’s rewind to last month: October 10th, Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. The New York Liberty faced off against the Minnesota Lynx, and Thornton delivered like a superstar in a Hollywood sequel. The Liberty snagged their first championship, and Thornton? Oh, she just casually added “WNBA Champion” to her ever-growing list of accolades.
But Sunday wasn’t about championship rings or confetti. This was personal. Thornton, visibly trying not to smudge her makeup (because priorities, right?), stood in front of a roaring crowd in her hometown. “First, I just thank God,” she said, fighting back tears. “I’m just a little girl from West Texas.”
Now, let’s pause. Can we talk about how Thornton, in classic underdog fashion, turned from a “little girl from West Texas” into a titan of the hardwood? This isn’t just a Disney movie; it’s the kind of story that gets a 30 for 30 documentary.
Thornton’s message was crystal clear: West Texas has talent, and she’s living proof. “I want to show these young girls that they can make it,” she said. “Dedication, keeping God first, and maybe some waterproof mascara—that’s the secret sauce.”
With her jersey retired, Thornton’s legacy at UTEP is cemented. But don’t think for a second she’s hitting cruise control. Her next target? Snagging the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award. And another ring, of course.
So, while the Don Haskins Center rafters now boast a piece of women’s basketball history, Thornton isn’t done writing hers. After all, she’s got a lot more game—and probably a few more tearful speeches—in her future.
And for all the West Texas dreamers out there? Start practicing that jumper. Kayla Thornton just raised the bar—and her jersey.
