Alyssa Thomas is one of the most complete players in modern WNBA basketball. She is not always the first name mentioned when fans talk about the league’s biggest stars but her impact on the court is difficult to ignore
Thomas has built a reputation as a powerful forward who can score, rebound, defend and create opportunities for her teammates.
Her name has also remained relevant during the 2026 WNBA season.
The current basketball conversation has been heavily influenced by the Indiana Fever, the Las Vegas Aces and stars such as Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson.
She has averaged around 14 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game while remaining one of the league’s leading playmakers.
Her combination of size and passing ability makes her unusual even among elite WNBA forwards.
So who is Alyssa Thomas? How did she become one of the WNBA’s best all-around players? What are her career statistics? And why does her name continue to attract attention during major WNBA storylines?
Here is everything to know about Alyssa Thomas.
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Table of Contents
Who Is Alyssa Thomas?
Alyssa Thomas is an American professional basketball player who plays forward for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA.1
She was born on April 12, 1992 and played college basketball at the University of Maryland.
Thomas entered the WNBA in 2014 after being selected fourth overall in the first round of the WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun. That draft selection proved to be the beginning of a remarkable career.
Thomas spent the first 11 seasons of her WNBA career with Connecticut. During that period she became one of the most reliable players in the league and eventually became the Sun’s franchise leader in several major statistical categories.
In 2025 she moved to the Phoenix Mercury as part of a four-team trade. The change of team did not reduce her impact. Instead, Thomas produced one of the most statistically impressive seasons of her career.
She averaged 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists during the 2025 regular season. Those numbers helped make her a WNBA MVP finalist and earned her First Team All-WNBA and First Team All-Defensive honors.
Her passing numbers were particularly impressive. Thomas finished the 2025 season with 357 assists.
That established a new WNBA single-season record. She also recorded eight triple-doubles, which was another league record. That ability to influence nearly every part of a game is what separates Thomas from many traditional forwards.
CT Sun 💙🧡♾️
— Alyssa Thomas (@athomas_25) September 26, 2026
Quick Stats
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alyssa Thomas |
| Date of Birth | April 12, 1992 |
| Age | 34 in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches |
| Weight | 203 lbs |
| Position | Forward |
| College | Maryland |
| WNBA Draft | 2014, Round 1, Pick 4 |
| Current Team | Phoenix Mercury |
| WNBA Experience | 12 years |
| Jersey Number | No. 25 |
| 2026 PPG | 14.3 |
| 2026 RPG | 7.8 |
| 2026 APG | 8.5 |
| Career PPG | 12.7 |
| Career RPG | 7.7 |
| Career APG | 5.4 |
| WNBA All-Star | 6 times |
| All-WNBA Selections | 4 |
| All-Defensive Selections | 7 |
| WNBA MVP Finalist | 4 times |
| Regular-Season Triple-Doubles | 19 |
| Playoff Triple-Doubles | 6 |
Alyssa Thomas College Career at Maryland
Before becoming a WNBA star, Thomas was one of the standout players in college basketball.2
She played for the Maryland Terrapins and quickly became an important part of the program. Her physical style, rebounding ability and versatility helped her establish herself as one of the top players in college basketball.
Thomas was not simply a scorer. She could handle the ball, defend multiple positions and create plays for teammates.
Those qualities later became important parts of her professional game. Her college career also helped prepare her for the physical demands of the WNBA.
At 6-foot-2, she had the size to compete around the basket while also possessing the mobility needed to play in different positions. That combination eventually became one of her biggest advantages as a professional.
Entering the WNBA
Thomas was selected fourth overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2014 WNBA Draft.
She quickly established herself as an important player for Connecticut. Over the next decade she developed from a promising young forward into one of the league’s most versatile stars.
Her career with the Sun was especially notable because of how many different responsibilities she accepted. Thomas could defend strong forwards.
She could rebound against larger players. She could initiate offense and make passes normally associated with guards.
She could also score efficiently without needing to dominate the ball on every possession. That versatility made her valuable in almost every type of game.
During her time in Connecticut, Thomas also helped the Sun reach the WNBA Finals twice. Connecticut reached the Finals in 2019 and again in 2022.
By the time she left the organization, Thomas had become the franchise leader in several major categories, including minutes, rebounds, assists, steals, field goals and free throws.
Move to the Phoenix Mercury
Thomas joined the Phoenix Mercury in 2025 as part of a four-team trade involving Phoenix, Connecticut, Dallas and Indiana. The move represented an important new chapter in her career.
After spending her first 11 WNBA seasons with Connecticut, Thomas suddenly had a new team and a new supporting cast. Yet she adjusted quickly.
Her first season with Phoenix was outstanding. Thomas played all 39 regular-season games and started every one.
She averaged 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists while shooting 53.2 percent from the field. Those numbers were career highs in several categories.
More importantly, she became the first player in WNBA history to average at least 15 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 1 steal while shooting at least 50 percent from the field during a season.
Her 357 assists also broke the previous WNBA single-season record.
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Why Alyssa Thomas Is Such a Unique Player
The easiest way to understand Thomas is to look beyond her scoring average.3
A player averaging 14 or 15 points per game may not immediately appear to be one of the most influential stars in the league.
Thomas is different because she contributes in so many areas. She can bring the ball up the court. She can create from the post.
She can find cutters. She can rebound. She can defend. She can run an offense. She can score efficiently.
Her passing is probably the most distinctive part of her game. Thomas has become one of the best passing forwards in basketball.
Her ability to see the floor allows Phoenix to use her as a primary playmaker. She does not need to be a traditional point guard to control an offense.
That is why her assist totals are so remarkable. In 2025 she averaged 9.2 assists per game and finished the season with 357 assists.
In 2026 she has continued to rank among the WNBA’s best assist producers. The current WNBA statistics list Thomas at 8.5 assists per game.
That places her near the top of the league and shows that her playmaking was not simply a one-season achievement.
The Triple-Double Machine
Thomas has also become closely associated with triple-doubles. A triple-double requires a player to reach double figures in three statistical categories in one game. In the WNBA, triple-doubles are relatively rare.
Thomas has made them part of her identity. The WNBA currently lists her as the all-time leader in regular-season triple-doubles with 19.
She also has six playoff triple-doubles. During the 2025 season she recorded eight triple-doubles.
That broke her own previous single-season record of six. She also became the first WNBA player to record three consecutive triple-doubles.
These achievements explain why Thomas is often discussed differently from traditional forwards. Her statistical profile looks more like that of a point guard and a power forward combined.
Alyssa Thomas and the 2026 WNBA Season
Thomas has continued to produce at a high level in 2026. The current season numbers show her averaging 14.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game.
She has also remained an important defensive player for Phoenix. Her workload is significant.
She is not simply a role player who contributes when the ball finds her. She is involved in the Mercury’s offensive structure and regularly helps create scoring opportunities for teammates.
Phoenix’s official coverage has also highlighted the partnership between Thomas and Kahleah Copper. Their connection has become an important part of the Mercury’s offense.
That combination demonstrates another part of Thomas’s value. She can make other talented players more effective.
Why Is Alyssa Thomas Being Mentioned Around the Fever-Aces Conversation?
The Fever and Aces have been among the biggest stories in the 2026 WNBA season. Their playoff meeting has generated major attention because it features some of the league’s most recognizable names.
The series also puts a spotlight on the larger WNBA landscape. Thomas is not a Fever or Aces player.
She is a Phoenix Mercury forward. However, she has a direct connection to the Fever through the 2026 regular season.
One of the most discussed moments involving Thomas came during Phoenix’s June matchup against Indiana. The Mercury defeated the Fever 111-109.
After the game, the WNBA reviewed an incident involving Thomas and Caitlin Clark. The league classified Thomas’s contact with Clark as a Flagrant Foul 2 and issued Thomas a one-game suspension.
That incident added another chapter to the growing competitive storyline around Thomas and Clark. It is important to separate that incident from the current Fever–Aces playoff series.
Thomas is not part of the Indiana-Las Vegas matchup. Her relevance comes from the broader WNBA conversation and her status as one of the league’s established stars.
Thomas’ Playing Style
Thomas plays with physicality and intelligence. She is not primarily known for long-distance shooting.
Instead, she does much of her work closer to the basket and from areas where she can use her size and passing ability. Her strength allows her to compete against bigger players.
Her ball skills allow her to attack defenders. Her vision allows her to punish defenses that focus too heavily on her scoring.
Defensively, she has also earned a strong reputation. Thomas has been selected to the WNBA All-Defensive Team seven times.
That is another indication of how much responsibility she carries. She can switch onto different types of players and uses her strength to make possessions difficult for opponents.
Major Career Achievements
Thomas has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments during her WNBA career.
She is a six-time WNBA All-Star and a four-time All-WNBA selection. She has also earned seven All-Defensive Team selections.
She has been a WNBA MVP finalist four times. Her career statistical records are even more impressive.
Thomas is the WNBA’s all-time regular-season triple-double leader. She also holds the playoff triple-double record.
Her 2025 season produced eight triple-doubles and 357 assists. Both figures became major parts of WNBA history.
She also finished the 2025 season as an All-WNBA First Team player and an All-Defensive First Team player.
These accomplishments show that Thomas is more than a veteran player who has remained in the league for a long time. She has continued to evolve and produce at an elite level.
What Makes Alyssa Thomas Important to the WNBA?
Thomas represents a type of basketball that is increasingly valuable in the modern WNBA. Versatility matters.
A player who can defend, rebound, pass and score gives a team more options. Thomas can effectively act as a point forward and can change the way a defense has to prepare.
Her career is also an example of long-term development. She entered the league in 2014.
More than a decade later, she is still producing at an All-Star level. That longevity is especially impressive in a physically demanding professional league.
Her move from Connecticut to Phoenix also showed that her value was not limited to one system. She was able to change teams and remain a central part of a new offense.
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FAQ’s
Who is Alyssa Thomas?
Alyssa Thomas is an American professional basketball player who plays forward for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. She was selected fourth overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2014 WNBA Draft.
How old is Alyssa Thomas?
Alyssa Thomas was born on April 12, 1992. She is 34 years old in 2026.
What team does Alyssa Thomas play for?
Alyssa Thomas currently plays for the Phoenix Mercury.
What position does Alyssa Thomas play?
Thomas is listed as a forward. Her versatility also allows her to function as a primary playmaker and point forward.
How tall is Alyssa Thomas?
Alyssa Thomas is listed at 6 feet 2 inches tall.
What are Alyssa Thomas’ 2026 statistics?
The current WNBA profile lists Thomas at approximately 14.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game in 2026.
How many WNBA All-Star selections does Alyssa Thomas have?
Thomas is a six-time WNBA All-Star.
Conclusion
Alyssa Thomas is one of the WNBA’s most complete and unusual stars.
She may not always dominate headlines in the same way as Caitlin Clark or A’ja Wilson but her statistical impact and versatility place her firmly among the league’s elite players.
For fans following the current Fever-Aces search cycle, Thomas is worth knowing because she is part of the wider group of elite WNBA players shaping the league’s modern era.
Her connection to the Fever through the regular season also makes her name especially relevant when conversations about Indiana’s biggest games and rivalries resurface.
Ultimately, Alyssa Thomas is not simply a veteran forward. She is a record-setting passer, elite rebounder, strong defender and proven leader who has continued to redefine what a WNBA forward can do.
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