Liberty coach Sandy Brondello's heartwarming message to Kayla Thornton after All-Star selection
Kayla Thornton is officially an All-Star for the first time in her 10-year WNBA career. The Golden State Valkyries forward was named one of 12 reserves for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, which will take place July 19 in Indianapolis. Her selection as a reserve drew praise from Liberty coach Sandy Brondello, who will serve as one of the All-Star coaches.
Advertisement
'It would be such a reward for her,' Brondello said, as reported by Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press. 'She's been a role player all her career, but to go into a new organization and do so well, I voted for her as an alternate to get there because she deserves it.'
Thornton, who was selected in last year's expansion draft from the New York Liberty, has been a key part of the Valkyries' strong inaugural season. She had spent four seasons with New York before being drafted by Golden State. Known for her defense, physicality, and veteran presence, she has played a steady role throughout her career without receiving many accolades — until now.
Reserves alongside Thornton include three rookies, veteran leaders
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Thornton is one of four first-time All-Stars this year, alongside Seattle's Gabby Williams and Washington Mystics rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron. All four were selected by the league's 13 head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own players. Coaches selected three guards, five frontcourt players and four wildcards regardless of conference.
Advertisement
Iriafen and Citron will join Dallas' Paige Bueckers, a fan-voted starter, marking the first time since 2011 that three rookies will participate in the game.
Other reserves include multiple-time All-Stars such as Skylar Diggins (7th), Alyssa Thomas (6th), Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young (4th), and returning selections Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Mitchell, Courtney Williams, and Angel Reese.
Captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will draft their teams from the pool of starters and reserves. The All-Star rosters will be finalized during ESPN's 'WNBA Countdown' on July 19, per Michael Voepel of ESPN.
Related: Candace Parker opens up on why WNBA coaching might not be in the cards
Related: Candace Parker's WNBA Mount Rushmore features some surprising names
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
28 minutes ago
- CBS News
White Sox's Colson Montgomery is confident as he thrives in the Major Leagues
As the White Sox got swept in Kansas City, Colson Montgomery cooled off — going 2-for-13 at the plate. But the 23-year-old slugging shortstop is one of the young talents sparking hope for the future on the South Side. Montgomery explained in a one-on-one interview with CBS News Chicago how he made up his mind to live up to the first-round pick hype. He was the No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 Draft, though he only made his first Major League appearance recently. "I feel like when I go up there and I try to do what I want to do, things usually — I'm a lot more comfortable up there than when you go up there and you're thinking about, what's his best pitch? What does he want to do to me?" he said. "So I think it's pretty much just doing what I want to do at the plate." Montgomery made the jump to the Big Leagues this year. In April, Montgomery was sent to the White Sox facility in Arizona for two weeks, and then returned to Triple-A Charlotte Knights before the White Sox recalled him in July. He said the adversity and struggles this season have all been a learning experience. "It's like I've told some people before — I'm not going to sit here and, you know, throw a little pity party about everything I had to go through, and feel sorry for me, because you know, I needed to go through that, you know?" he said. "Early in my career in the lower levels, I had a lot of success, so I kind of got punched in the mouth, and I feel like you can really respond two ways, you know? You can go in hiding, or you can kind of try to do whatever you can to get out of it, and I had a lot of support with the White Sox really believing in me, and that was kind of one of the big things that helped me." Montgomery made his Major League debut with the White Sox on July 4, and has taken off in the weeks since. He made an impressive diving, over-the-shoulder catch in the second inning in that game — which the Sox won 3-2 — and hit a 452-foot home run when the Sox took on the Cleveland Guardians last weekend. He was asked what his favorite moment in his short time in the Majors has been. "I think one of the best moments is just when we're winning. You know, my first series in Colorado — being able to win that series — that was pretty special. And then coming out of All-Star break — first sweep in the Big Leagues, you know, with the Pirates," Montgomery said. "So I think just all the moments with these guys in winning I think are the best." Montgomery also said he is sticking "100%" with torpedo bats, Torpedo bats Sticking with 100% "It's like a thing as a hitter, you know? Once you — it's like certain batting gloves, certain bats you just feel most comfortable in, and that's one of the biggest things in the boxes—just feel as comfortable as you can — and I don't know, when I feel like I have any kind of bat in my hand, I feel like I'm dangerous, you know?" he said. "But I don't know, I like the torpedo, and I guess it likes me too."
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
UFC 319: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev odds, picks and predictions
In a 5-round middleweight championship bout in the main event, Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev meet Saturday at UFC 319 at United Center in Chicago. The early prelims begin at 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+ / Disney+), with the prelims starting at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN+ / Disney+), followed by the main card at 10 p.m. ET (Pay-Per-View). Their bout is expected to start around 12:15 a.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's UFC odds around the UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev odds, and make our expert UFC picks and predictions. Records: Du Plessis (23-2-0) | Chimaev (14-0-0) Du Plessis defends his title for the third straight time. He topped Sean Strickland for the middleweight strap at UFC 297 with a split-decision win, and he successfully defended it against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Aug. 2024. At UFC 312, he posted a unanimous-decision victory over Strickland in a rematch. Chimaev gets his crack at the belt, as he has set himself up for the shot with 8 straight wins since joining the company. He is coming off a Round 1 submission win over Robert Whittaker last time out in Oct. 2024. Since arriving at the UFC, he has 6 finishes in 8 fights. Although, he has ended up going the distance twice in the past 4 outings. Still, neither of those fights were 5-round battles, only 3 rounds. The South African champ holds a slight, 1-inch reach advantage, and the switch-stance fighter has a 6.12 significant strikes landed per minute, to 5.36 for the challenger. Chimaev has been pinpoint with those strikes, posting a 70.87% mark, to just 50.60% for the champ. Chimaev has managed a 4.31-to-2.55 takedown average advantage, with the difference in accuracy percentage in the category rather negligible. Chimaev has a 2.77 submission average, while Du Plessis has managed a 0.73 mark. Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here. UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET. UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev picks and predictions Fight result (2-way line or moneyline) The champ faces his most difficult test yet, as the challenger has yet to lose in his entire career across all competitions. It's time for Chimaev (-250) to ascend to the top of the division, but you can't risk 2 1/2 times your potential return. So, let's get a little more specific. Chimaev is a fighter that knows how to get the fight to the canvas quickly, and when he does, it usually doesn't end well for the opposition. While it's been a while since Du Plessis has tapped, losing via guillotine at EFC Africa back on Aug. 30, 2014 against Garreth McLellan, if there is a weak spot in the champ's game, the ground game is it. Du Plessis has a 2.55 takedown average, which is pretty strong, and he is 50.0% on those takedowns, as far as accuracy. And, the champ has a 0.73 submission average. However, it would be in his best interest to avoid going to the ground with Chimaev, who is like a boa constrictor when he gets his opponent up against the fence. Take CHIMAEV BY SUBMISSION (+125) at plus-money for the best value. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Over/Under No (-325): Fight to go the distance? is too risky at more than 3 times your potential return. There is no way to justify risking that kind of money on a straight up bet, and it isn't a great idea to toss it into a multi-leg parlay, either. Instead, consider a rounds block instead. Take CHIMAEV BY SUBMSSION IN ROUND 2 (+650) and CHIMAEV BY SUBMISSION IN ROUND 3 (+1200) for a solid value. Yes, you'll lose one of the ends, even if he gets the job done by submission in Rounds 2-3, but you'll still be well ahead, especially with a Round 3 victory. Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X andus on Facebook. Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
UFC 319: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico odds, picks and predictions
In a 3-round featherweight bout on the main card, Lerone Murphy and Aaron Pico meet Saturday at UFC 319 at United Center in Chicago. The early prelims begin at 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+ / Disney+), with the prelims starting at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN+ / Disney+), followed by the main card at 10 p.m. ET (Pay-Per-View). Their bout is expected to start around 11:45 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's UFC odds around the UFC 319: Murphy vs. Pico odds, and make our expert UFC picks and predictions. Records: Murphy (16-0-1) | Pico (13-4-0) Murphy rolls into this bout with 8 consecutive victories since a draw in his company debut at UFC 242 in Sept. 2019 against Zubaira Tukhugov. He has 4 straight unanimous-decision wins, including against Josh Emmett last time out, and he has 5 straight decision victories in a row. The 28-year-old Pico makes his UFC debut after a successful run at Bellator, including a pair of Round 1 KO/TKO victories against Pedro Carvalho and Henry Corrales in his 2 most recent fights. The 34-year-old Murphy holds a 3-inch reach advantage over Pico, and the addition from Bellator has an uphill battle in his company debut. Murphy has a solid 4.53 significant strikes landed per minute, while landing 59.62% of those strikes. He is also strong in the takedown game, posting a 1.45 average in that category, while hitting 54.17% of those takedowns, with a 0.45 submission average. Pico was 13-4 in his Bellator career, including a 9-3 mark via KO/TKO, and 2-1 by way of submission. But, that's 3 knockouts, and his defense is a little questionable. Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here. UFC 319: Murphy vs. Pico odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET. UFC 319: Murphy vs. Pico picks and predictions Fight result (2-way line or moneyline) Heading into this fight, MURPHY (+140) is a strong value as a moderate underdog against the UFC newcomer Pico. It's a little surprising to see Pico favored, and by quite a bit. Murphy knows how to get the job done, and how to get the eye of the judges. He has 5 straight decision victories, and that speaks to his stamina, too. In addition, Murphy is pinpoint with his strikes, and he knows how to get the job done. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Over/Under YES (-185): FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE? is a little on the pricey side, but it can be excused if you were to toss it into a multi-leg parlay. Again, Murphy has gone the distance in 5 straight fights, and 7 of his 9 fights at the UFC level. For Pico, while he has ended up going the distance just once in the past 5 outings, this is quite a step up in competition. It's hard to envision a quick KO/TKO victory for Pico, which would be his best path to a win. Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.
