The WNBA's Alyssa Thomas: A Star in the Making
The WNBA's Alyssa Thomas has been a force to be reckoned with since her debut, and her 2025 season with the Phoenix Mercury is no exception.
Thomas was drafted by the New York Liberty in 2014, but her career took a turn when she was traded to the Connecticut Sun. Her time with the Sun was a success, and when she joined the Phoenix Mercury, she picked up right where she left off. The All-Star forward averaged 15.4 points, 9.2 assists, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 2025, and was a top candidate for Most Valuable Player (MVP).
But before Thomas made her mark in the WNBA, she was already a star in college basketball. Thomas attended Maryland, where she averaged 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals over four seasons. These stats are similar to what she averages in the WNBA, and like always, she did a bit of everything.
In her first college season, Thomas averaged 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.6 assists. She got off to a strong start, and her team finished the season with a record of 24-8. Thomas made her debut in Maryland's game with Monmouth, scoring 10 points, grabbing six rebounds, stealing three times, and dishing out an assist. Maryland won big in that game, as Thomas and her teammates beat Monmouth 73-40.
After that, Thomas had a seven-point game, but she did something special after that. She had nine consecutive games where she scored 10 or more points. The first was a 10-point game against Towson, and she had five rebounds and five steals. Thomas followed up with a 16-point game against American, and also had seven rebounds, four steals, an assist, and a block. She continued her streak with a 14-point game against East Carolina, where she played well and had four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Maryland's forward continued to play well, and she scored 10 or more points against Massachusetts, Purdue, Appalachian State, UMBC, and others. Thomas' streak was snapped in Maryland's game against St. John's, and she had five points. She contributed in other areas, as she had seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Thomas has been a special player since the beginning, and now, she is doing her part to ensure that the Mercury succeed. But here's where it gets controversial... Some fans and analysts have questioned Thomas' impact on the Mercury, arguing that she is overrated and that her stats are inflated by the team's strong defense. And this is the part most people miss... Despite these criticisms, Thomas has been a key player for the Mercury, and her impact on the team's success cannot be overstated. So, what do you think? Do you agree with the critics, or do you think Thomas is a valuable asset to the Mercury? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
