In a league full of stars and future promises, not many romance tales shine as bright as Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner’s, a relationship whose romance goes far beyond the court.
Two elite players and talented performers, who face fierce competitors on a regular basis, now are soon-to-be wives after officially announcing they got engaged, winning over the hearts of WNBA supporters across the whole globe.
A love story born on the court
Thomas and Bonner’s bond started where the two feel most comfortable at, on the hardwood. The two initially met in the WNBA many years ago, but they did not get closer until they became teammates in the Connecticut Sun.
During the 2020 WNBA “bubble” season, when players stayed together in tight pandemic protocols, their friendship blossomed into a romance. Their on-court and off-court chemistry became a favorite among fans, and by 2021 the couple made their relationship official.
Alyssa Thomas proposed in 2023 to surprise Bonner, and the moment was snapped instantly by the social media world. “Forever,” Bonner wrote alongside her post on Instagram, which showed the couple smiling as they announced their engagement.
DeWanna Bonner, a basketball star and a devoted mother
Prior to her relationship with Thomas, DeWanna Bonner was already an excellent basketball player. Fifth in the overall draft, the Phoenix Mercury selected Bonner in 2009. She made herself the WNBA’s most consistent scorer and defender. She also assisted the Mercury in earning many playoff appearences as well as two WNBA championships in the early part of her career.
Off the court, her story is even more beautiful and inspiring. She is a proud twin mom of Cali and Demi, whom she shares with her past relationship with fellow WNBA player Candice Dupree. Motherhood and being a professional basketball player have not been easy to balance and deal with at the same time, but Bonner often gives credit to her family for keeping her humble everytime.
“She’s a mother, a mentor, and still one of the best players in the game,” an analyst for the WNBA stated to TMZ. “It’s no surprise she found someone who matches her drive.”
Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner
Now engaged, Bonner and Thomas continue to demonstrate what it is to mix competition and love. The two have been frequently asked about how they cope with being partners and teammates. Simple, with respect and understanding.
“We challenge each other every day, but we also support each other. We’re in this together – as players and as people,” Thomas said in an interview earlier this year.
Even with Bonner’s recent move to the Phoenix Mercury, the two have remained together, proving love can conquer distancing lines and opposing teams.
Way more than a love story
Beyond their own personal joy, Thomas and Bonner’s relationship is a symbol of representation and empowerment for women in sport. As two openly homosexual players, they have inspired countless fans who see in them a relatable figure, and that is one of the biggest prizes to win.
The engagement was well received not just by teammates and fans, but by LGBTQ+ people too, who were celebrating the couple for tearing down barriers in professional sport.
“They’re showing young athletes that you can be successful, authentic, and loved, all at once,” USA Today’s For The Win wrote in a recent piece on the couple’s engagement photos.
While they continue to collect wins on the court, the biggest win remains to have a life together. Since their wedding is reportedly in the works for 2026, next season will be all about championships and then some love.
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