University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
Meet the Newcomers: Tayla Thomas
7/21/2026 10:48:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Get to know transfer Tayla Thomas!
Transfer Tayla Thomas is ready to make her mark in Minneapolis. A New Jersey native, Thomas brings both versatility and energy to the Maroon and Gold's squad. We sat down with Tayla to discuss her hoops journey from IMG Academy to Dinkytown, her thoughts on playing at The Barn, and what she's looking forward to most this upcoming season!
GS: Can you take me through your background?
TT: "I grew up with five brothers and I'm second to youngest, so it was a chaotic household. Always playing and horsing around. They're the reason I'm playing basketball today, honestly. They inspired me to start, it was never a dull moment."
GS: How would you say they inspired you to start playing basketball?
TT: "Well, I was always the one to say, 'Oh, I want to join! I want to do it too!' Then I fell in love with it and kept going with it."
GS: When did you really start to improve and realize that you had a future in basketball?
TT: "I'd say right after the pandemic, going into my freshman year of high school. That summer was really crucial for me. I was in the park with my high school coach working out every morning, working on all parts of my game. From then on, I knew that I could continue and play at a higher level. Getting the opportunity to play in the Nike EYBL (Nike Elite Youth Basketball League) and at IMG Academy also propelled that for me. Getting to actually play again was the point where I was like, 'Wow, I can really go far with this.'"
GS: What made Minnesota stand out to you, and what was your first impression when you first visited the University of Minnesota?
TT: "Coming here to visit gave me a different look, and I really enjoyed it. Everybody was so welcoming, from the players to the coaching staff to the support staff, that was very important to me. I wanted to stay in the Big Ten, which I believe is the best conference in the country. They finished in the top four of the conference last year; they're winners. I believe that I can come in and help them continue to win."
GS: How has it been transitioning to Minneapolis and Dinkytown, and getting to know the team, the players, and the coaches?
TT: "It's been pretty smooth. Everybody has been very helpful. As far as Minneapolis, I haven't been to many places, so I have to venture out and learn some more. But I really have been enjoying this transition. It's a nice community. Dinkytown is really great; you can walk to a lot of places. My teammates have been helpful in telling me where to go and how to get there."
GS: What's your favorite part about being at Minnesota so far?
TT: "Definitely being able to play with my high school teammate again, Leah (Leah Harmon). We played together our whole lives. We grew up together, being able to come back in college at such a high level is a full-circle moment. We go way back, so it's fun to be able to be on the court again."
GS: For someone who has never seen you play before, how would you describe your playing style?
TT: "Dominant, aggressive, passionate. Really willing to do anything to win, like anything necessary, and putting my body on the line in certain plays."
GS: Are there any athletes that inspire you as a basketball player?
TT: "Not really. I watch basketball, but I like to build my own type of game. I like to be able to be versatile, but not base it off of anybody else's versatility. I don't really have a specific person that I base it off of, I just like being able to do a little bit of everything if needed."
GS: What do you think it's going to be like playing in The Barn for the first time as a Golden Gopher?
TT: "Exciting and electric. I'm really excited, honestly. I think the crowd that the women's basketball team brings in here is so crazy and very inspiring. It really brings the energy, so I'm excited to be on the raised court with all those people cheering. I'm really excited to experience that for the first time and see what that's like."
Rapid Fire with Tayla Thomas
Favorite sweet treat: Chocolate-covered strawberries
What sport would you play if not basketball: Volleyball
Favorite pro sports team: New York Knicks
Favorite athlete: A'ja Wilson
Favorite movie: Home Alone (I can watch that on repeat, it's a comfort movie)
Favorite TV show: Grey's Anatomy
Favorite artist: BossMan Dlow
Dream vacation spot: Either the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos
Go-to pregame snack: Fruit snacks, Cheez-Its, or maybe some beef jerky
GS: Can you take me through your background?
TT: "I grew up with five brothers and I'm second to youngest, so it was a chaotic household. Always playing and horsing around. They're the reason I'm playing basketball today, honestly. They inspired me to start, it was never a dull moment."
GS: How would you say they inspired you to start playing basketball?
TT: "Well, I was always the one to say, 'Oh, I want to join! I want to do it too!' Then I fell in love with it and kept going with it."
GS: When did you really start to improve and realize that you had a future in basketball?
TT: "I'd say right after the pandemic, going into my freshman year of high school. That summer was really crucial for me. I was in the park with my high school coach working out every morning, working on all parts of my game. From then on, I knew that I could continue and play at a higher level. Getting the opportunity to play in the Nike EYBL (Nike Elite Youth Basketball League) and at IMG Academy also propelled that for me. Getting to actually play again was the point where I was like, 'Wow, I can really go far with this.'"
GS: What made Minnesota stand out to you, and what was your first impression when you first visited the University of Minnesota?
TT: "Coming here to visit gave me a different look, and I really enjoyed it. Everybody was so welcoming, from the players to the coaching staff to the support staff, that was very important to me. I wanted to stay in the Big Ten, which I believe is the best conference in the country. They finished in the top four of the conference last year; they're winners. I believe that I can come in and help them continue to win."
GS: How has it been transitioning to Minneapolis and Dinkytown, and getting to know the team, the players, and the coaches?
TT: "It's been pretty smooth. Everybody has been very helpful. As far as Minneapolis, I haven't been to many places, so I have to venture out and learn some more. But I really have been enjoying this transition. It's a nice community. Dinkytown is really great; you can walk to a lot of places. My teammates have been helpful in telling me where to go and how to get there."
GS: What's your favorite part about being at Minnesota so far?
TT: "Definitely being able to play with my high school teammate again, Leah (Leah Harmon). We played together our whole lives. We grew up together, being able to come back in college at such a high level is a full-circle moment. We go way back, so it's fun to be able to be on the court again."
GS: For someone who has never seen you play before, how would you describe your playing style?
TT: "Dominant, aggressive, passionate. Really willing to do anything to win, like anything necessary, and putting my body on the line in certain plays."
GS: Are there any athletes that inspire you as a basketball player?
TT: "Not really. I watch basketball, but I like to build my own type of game. I like to be able to be versatile, but not base it off of anybody else's versatility. I don't really have a specific person that I base it off of, I just like being able to do a little bit of everything if needed."
GS: What do you think it's going to be like playing in The Barn for the first time as a Golden Gopher?
TT: "Exciting and electric. I'm really excited, honestly. I think the crowd that the women's basketball team brings in here is so crazy and very inspiring. It really brings the energy, so I'm excited to be on the raised court with all those people cheering. I'm really excited to experience that for the first time and see what that's like."
Rapid Fire with Tayla Thomas
Favorite sweet treat: Chocolate-covered strawberries
What sport would you play if not basketball: Volleyball
Favorite pro sports team: New York Knicks
Favorite athlete: A'ja Wilson
Favorite movie: Home Alone (I can watch that on repeat, it's a comfort movie)
Favorite TV show: Grey's Anatomy
Favorite artist: BossMan Dlow
Dream vacation spot: Either the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos
Go-to pregame snack: Fruit snacks, Cheez-Its, or maybe some beef jerky
Wednesday, July 08
Friday, July 03
Monday, June 22
Thursday, June 18