Northwestern University Athletics
2025-26 Women's Basketball Roster
Jersey Number 23
Tayla Thomas
- Height:
- 6-3
- Class:
- Sophomore
- High School:
- IMG Academy
- Hometown:
- East Orange, N.J.
- Major:
- Undeclared
2025-26: Was a fixture in the lineup during her sophomore year, starting in 28 of her 29 appearances ... Averaged 9.7 points, in addition to team-high marks in both rebounds (7.2 rpg) and blocks (1.2 bpg) ... Shot just shy of 44 percent (104-of-237) from the field ... Scored in double figures 11 times ... Had nine outings with at least 10 rebounds ... Recorded a team-high five double-doubles ... Helped power Northwestern to season-opening win over IU Indy (11/5), finishing with 13 points (5-9 FGs, 3-3 FTs), 13 rebounds, and a career-best four blocks ... Ripped down 11 rebounds and added nine points against SIUE (11/9) ... Scored 16 points (7-10 FGs, 1-2 3FGs, 1-2 FTs) and came away with 11 rebounds in victory against Maryland Eastern Shore (11/14) ... Collected a career-best 18 rebounds and chipped in 11 points (11/17) in road win at DePaul (11/17) ... Posted eight points (4-8 FGs) and 12 rebounds in Fort Myers Tip-Off opener against Abilene Christian (11/28) ... Poured in career-high 30 points (11-17 FGs, 8-9 FTs) and brought in 11 rebounds against Loyola Chicago (12/18) ... Closed non-conference slate with 17 points (7-20 FGs, 3-6 FTs) at George Washington (12/21) ... Added eight points (4-10 FGs) and a game-high 16 rebounds in win over Rutgers (1/11) ... Followed up that showing with a 13-point (4-10 FGs, 5-5 FTs), 10-rebound outing as 'Cats downed Wisconsin (1/15) ... Finished with 19 points (5-6 FGs, 9-13 FTs), eight rebounds, and a career-best three steals in road clash at Nebraska (1/28) ... Led Wildcats in return matchup with Illinois (2/22), closing her night with 25 points (8-14 FGs, 2-4 3FGs, 7-8 FTs).
2024-25: Appeared in 20 games as a first-year ... Averaged 1.4 points and 1.7 rebounds ... Scored nine points (3-4 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 2-2 FTs), grabbed three rebounds, and recorded a block in collegiate debut versus Illinois State (11/6) ... Knocked down a key fourth-quarter three on the way to finishing with five points (2-4 FGs, 1-2 3FGs) and two assists in win over Utah (11/14) ... Played a season-high 25 minutes on the road at No. 10 Ohio State (1/5), where she added five points (2-5 FGs, 1-2 3FGs) and a season-best six rebounds.
High School: Three year varsity player…2022 co-captain…Named the No. 56 recruit in the class of 2024 by ESPN HoopGurlz...Averaged 8 PPG and 6 rebounds in 2021…Averaged 18 PPG and 16 rebounds in 2022…Averaged 4 PPG and 6 rebounds in 2023…Ranked by ESPN Girls Basketball in the Top-50 both sophomore and junior years...Played AAU for Essence-Nike as co-captain in 2023.
Personal: Born Nov. 27, 2006 in Belleville, N.J....Daughter of Earl and Sabratha Thomas…Dad played basketball at Skidmore College…Brother Randy plays basketball at NJCU…Brother, Nick, plays football at Boston College…Intends to study business and marketing at Northwestern.
2024-25: Appeared in 20 games as a first-year ... Averaged 1.4 points and 1.7 rebounds ... Scored nine points (3-4 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 2-2 FTs), grabbed three rebounds, and recorded a block in collegiate debut versus Illinois State (11/6) ... Knocked down a key fourth-quarter three on the way to finishing with five points (2-4 FGs, 1-2 3FGs) and two assists in win over Utah (11/14) ... Played a season-high 25 minutes on the road at No. 10 Ohio State (1/5), where she added five points (2-5 FGs, 1-2 3FGs) and a season-best six rebounds.
High School: Three year varsity player…2022 co-captain…Named the No. 56 recruit in the class of 2024 by ESPN HoopGurlz...Averaged 8 PPG and 6 rebounds in 2021…Averaged 18 PPG and 16 rebounds in 2022…Averaged 4 PPG and 6 rebounds in 2023…Ranked by ESPN Girls Basketball in the Top-50 both sophomore and junior years...Played AAU for Essence-Nike as co-captain in 2023.
Personal: Born Nov. 27, 2006 in Belleville, N.J....Daughter of Earl and Sabratha Thomas…Dad played basketball at Skidmore College…Brother Randy plays basketball at NJCU…Brother, Nick, plays football at Boston College…Intends to study business and marketing at Northwestern.
Women's Basketball - Joe McKeown Postgame Recognition (3/1/26)
Monday, March 02
Women's Basketball - Purdue Postgame Press Conference
Monday, March 02
Women's Basketball - Illinois Postgame Press Conference (2/22/26)
Sunday, February 22
Women's Basketball - Michigan Postgame Press Conference (2/12/26)
Friday, February 13
