This story appears in SLAM 251.
Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner are so much more than just partners on the court. They’re the epitome of basketball dominance for the Connecticut Sun. DeWanna’s the fifth-highest scorer in the history of the League. Alyssa is the W’s all-time leader in triple-doubles. They each have their jerseys hanging in the arenas of their respective alma maters. They’ve both won AP Comeback Player of the Year and have each claimed numerous League records. Simply put, they’re the best players on one of the best teams in the W year after year. And if you couldn’t tell by the diamond rock dancing on DeWanna’s finger, they’re also engaged.
An uplifting energy was flowing throughout our office on a Monday morning in late June. After a two-and-a-half hour drive from Connecticut to NYC, all that can be felt and heard is an abundance of love and laughter shared by the couple as they pose for photos at their first-ever SLAM cover shoot.
Rocking their bright orange Explorer Edition uniforms, both Alyssa and DeWanna are fully present in the moment, while creating pockets of time where they fall into a world all to their own. They’re holding staring contests while we snap flicks and poking fun at their height difference.
“I love playing with Alyssa. She’s one of the hardest working competitors in the League, so it kind of makes me want to go harder,” DeWanna says. “Even at my age, I’m like, I’ve got a little bit more in there to give because I see her going just as hard.”
Jared ebanks 