Kayla McBride

Kayla McBride was born on June 25, 1992, in Erie, PA, the oldest of four siblings. She developed a love for basketball at an early age, learning the game from her father, LaMont, who officiated high school games and ran summer camps. At just four years old, Kayla was already attending basketball camps with him, honing her skills. By the age of 12, she was competing with boys at Burton Park in Erie, where she earned respect with her jump shot and crossovers.

Kayla attended Villa Maria Academy, where she was a three-year starter and four-year letter winner, leading her team to two Pennsylvania Class AA titles. She was a 2010 McDonald’s High School All-American and the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year.

Kayla went on to play for the University of Notre Dame, where she had a standout career. In her freshman year, she averaged 8.7 ppg but missed the latter part of the season due to academic issues. She bounced back strong in her sophomore year, starting 36 of 39 games and averaging 11.6 ppg, helping the team reach the NCAA National Championship game. By her senior year, Kayla was averaging 17.6 ppg and won multiple accolades, including ACC Player of the Year, and was named to several All-America teams.

In 2014, Kayla was drafted 3rd overall by the San Antonio Stars in the WNBA. She made an immediate impact, earning All-Rookie honors and finishing 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting. In 2015, she was named to the WNBA All-Star Team. Kayla’s career took a hit in 2016 when she fractured her foot, but after months of rehab, she returned to the court and helped her team win the Turkish League Championship in 2017. In 2018, the Stars relocated to Las Vegas, and Kayla regained her All-Star form, making the team in both 2018 and 2019.

In 2019-2020, instead of playing overseas, Kayla joined Notre Dame’s coaching staff as a player development manager. She also publicly opened up about her struggles with anxiety and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing her journey to better understand and cope with her challenges.

The 2020 WNBA season was played in a bubble, where Kayla and the Las Vegas Aces reached the WNBA Finals but lost to the Seattle Storm. In 2021, she signed with the Minnesota Lynx, stating her commitment to take her game to the next level despite doubts from others.

In 2024, Kayla was named to her fourth WNBA All-Star Game and became the 10th player in league history to make over 600 three-pointers in a career. She also announced her participation in the new Unrivaled Basketball League.

Kayla's journey has been marked by resilience and growth, overcoming challenges both on and off the court. “When your feet fail you, pick yourself up. Come back stronger. You’re an arrow, always moving forward,” she says.