04 Aug 2025
From UConn Legend to WNBA Assist Queen: How Alyssa Thomas is Rewriting Her Legacy in Phoenix
At 33 years old, when most athletes are considering retirement, Alyssa Thomas is having the best season of her career. Despite missing five games, Thomas leads the WNBA with 122 assists so far this...
At 33 years old, when most athletes are considering retirement, Alyssa Thomas is having the best season of her career. Despite missing five games, Thomas leads the WNBA with 122 assists so far this season, averaging 9.5 assists per game – a remarkable feat that has positioned her as the league's premier playmaker in her first year with the Phoenix Mercury.
This isn't just another good season for the former Maryland Terrapin. This is a complete reinvention of her legacy.
The Foundation: Maryland Excellence
Long before she became the WNBA's assist queen, Thomas was rewriting record books in College Park. She wrapped up her career at Maryland as the all-time leader in eight statistical categories – games started (135), points (2,356), points per game (17.5), field goals made (890), field goals attempted (1,868), free throws made (557), rebounds (1,235) and double-doubles (60).
But perhaps most impressively, in her junior year, Thomas became the first person in NCAA or WNBA history to average over 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for an entire season. She dominated the ACC, winning Player of the Year honors three consecutive times (2012-2014) and led the Terrapins to their first Final Four appearance since 2006.
Thomas scored a career-high 33 points against the Tennessee Lady Vols in the Sweet Sixteen en route to reaching the 2014 Final Four in Nashville, establishing herself as one of the most complete players in college basketball history.
Eleven Years of Excellence in Connecticut
After being drafted fourth overall by the New York Liberty in 2014 and immediately traded to Connecticut, Thomas spent over a decade building her reputation as one of the WNBA's most versatile players. She became the Connecticut Sun franchise all-time leader in games played, rebounds, assists, steals, field goals made, free throws made and double-doubles.
Her peak came in recent years. In 2023, she set a new WNBA single-season record for assists (316) and double-doubles (28), finishing second in the MVP race while receiving the most first-place votes (23). Thomas recorded fifteen career triple-doubles and is the only player to record 15+, 15+, 10+ with 0 turnovers in WNBA history.
The Phoenix Renaissance
This season's move to Phoenix has unlocked a new level of excellence for Thomas. She's flourishing more than ever in coach Nate Tibbetts' system, where she's given loads of space to operate and is surrounded by shooters. The Mercury average more 3-point makes per game than any other team, boast the third-best defensive rating and have been one of the WNBA's most pleasant surprises.
In 18 games this season, Thomas is averaging 14.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists, while shooting a career-best 53.8% from the field. Her assist numbers are particularly staggering – she has 10 more assists than Courtney Williams, Natasha Cloud and Skylar Diggins, all of whom have played at least 18 games while Thomas has appeared in just 13 contests.
Current WNBA Assist Leaders (2025 Season)
| Player | Team | Games | Total Assists | Assists Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alyssa Thomas | Phoenix Mercury | 13 | 122 | 9.4 |
| Courtney Williams | Minnesota Lynx | 18+ | 112 | ~6.2 |
| Natasha Cloud | Washington Mystics | 18+ | 112 | ~6.2 |
| Skylar Diggins | Seattle Storm | 18+ | 112 | ~6.2 |
Source: WNBA official statistics as of July 2025
The Complete Player
What makes Thomas's 2025 season so remarkable isn't just the assists – it's how she's impacting every aspect of the game. Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said he loves that Alyssa Thomas is the WNBA's biggest trash talker, a designation she earned in recent anonymous player polls.
Not only is Phoenix inheriting a new playmaker, they'll have to adapt to a completely new style of distribution. Thomas brings a unique physical presence to the point-forward role that few players in WNBA history have possessed.
Thomas has been top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting three times in her career, showcasing her two-way impact. She's also a six-time All-Defensive team selection, proving that her value extends far beyond offensive statistics.
Phoenix Rising
The Mercury's transformation has been remarkable. After overhauling their roster in the offseason, including parting ways with Diana Taurasi (retirement) and Brittney Griner (free agency), the Mercury are off to a 6-4 start, good for fourth in the standings. More recent reports suggest they've continued this strong play, sitting at 14-6 with the second-best record in the league.
The Mercury are fourth in assists per game, averaging 21.0 assists, with Thomas being the team leader in assists by a significant margin. Her playmaking has transformed an offense that needed an identity after losing franchise cornerstones.
Personal Motivation
Thomas spent the off-season playing in Unrivaled, and everyone is talking about how much she's smiling and how happy she seems lately. The change of scenery has clearly benefited both her personal life and professional performance.
Adding to the feel-good story, in February 2021, she and then Connecticut Sun teammate, DeWanna Bonner, shared that they were in a relationship, and in July 2023 they became engaged. The two became teammates again when Bonner signed with the Mercury in July 2025.
International Excellence
Thomas's excellence extends beyond the WNBA. She won gold medals for Team USA at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics, cementing her status among the world's elite players.
Looking Ahead
At 33, Thomas is proving that peak performance doesn't have an expiration date. Her combination of court vision, basketball IQ, and physical tools has made her indispensable to Phoenix's championship aspirations. "I've always been the type of basketball player that plays for fun," Thomas said. "I'm going to do whatever it takes, because I want to come out on top in the end".
Thomas has three more regular season games to add to her assist totals before the All-Star break, where she'll make her fourth consecutive All-Star appearance. If she maintains her current pace, she could challenge her own single-season assist record.
From her dominant days as a Maryland Terrapin to her record-setting years in Connecticut, Thomas has consistently elevated her game. Now, in the desert of Phoenix, she's writing the most compelling chapter yet – one that could culminate with the championship that has eluded her throughout her illustrious career.
The assist numbers tell one story, but Thomas's complete transformation of the Mercury's identity tells an even better one. She's not just rewriting her own legacy – she's helping an entire franchise rediscover its championship potential.
For fans who love tracking stories like these, FanDaily offers exclusive alumni updates and alumni insights delivering the latest on NCAA alumni thriving in the pros. Check out our Pro Pipeline tool at https://fandaily.io/pro-pipeline to discover how many alumni from your school are currently playing in the NBA, WNBA, NFL, and other professional leagues. Our comprehensive tracking system helps you follow your favorite programs' professional journeys with detailed alumni breakdowns and league-by-league analysis.