The two Connecticut Sun gamers are engaged, changing into an influence couple of the WNBA. Before they have been a pair, they performed in opposition to one another when Bonner was on the Phoenix Mercury.
“We knew one another from the WNBA, we performed USA Basketball collectively. And — OK, she says I stalked her Instagram. But I do not name it stalking,” Bonner advised CBS News, laughing. “First of all, I did not know individuals can see you watching their tales if you happen to’re not associates. Let’s simply begin there.”
After assembly on-line, the pair lastly talked in actual life. Bonner came visiting to the Sun in 2020, a yr that had athletes residing in so-called bubbles, sequestered in order that they did not catch COVID.
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“You know, being within the bubble, we had nothing to do,” stated Bonner. “We could not depart, it was simply within the lodge room all day every single day, across the similar particular person. So if you are able to do that, and spend that point with someone and actually get pleasure from it, I felt like, ‘OK, this might actually be my particular person.'”
They went from associates, to teammates, to companions — which they are saying has positives and negatives. “Go forward,” Thomas stated to her companion, joking. “It’s you, you may have the negatives.”
“We’re round one another on a regular basis,” Bonner lastly conceded, “You know, often whenever you go to work and also you inform your partner about your job … But she already is aware of what occurred, so I’ve nothing to share.”
The positives: “I believe we steadiness one another. Alyssa is a bit more reserved, I’m just like the wild one,” Bonner stated, including that she nonetheless will get anxious earlier than video games, and Thomas helps calm her nerves.
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Thomas’ favourite factor about Bonner, a mom of two: “I take into consideration how caring she is and her persona. She takes care of everybody and places everybody earlier than herself and that is a fantastic high quality about her.”
Thomas determined to pop the query after they performed collectively throughout final yr’s WNBA All Star recreation in Las Vegas. “I assumed it was a second the place our households may share in it as effectively,” stated Thomas. “Also, I needed to maintain her on her toes. She’s a tough particular person to shock.”
The pair stored their relationship principally a secret from their teammates, however after their engagement, there was no hiding it. “[They call us] the dad and mom,” stated Thomas, who’s 32.
“They name us mother and pop of the crew, as a result of we are the oldest,” stated Bonner, 36, laughing. “No, however our crew is superb. This group is basically, actually shut and it has been actually enjoyable. And our locker room has simply been actually accepting of us and hopped on the bandwagon of our relationship and our targets.”
Some of their targets embrace successful the WNBA championship this yr. The Sun had a successful streak earlier this season and is likely one of the prime groups within the league.
Last month, Bonner reached a private objective – changing into the fifth participant in WNBA historical past to achieve 7,000 factors. And Thomas made the Team USA Women’s Basketball Team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Bonner says she plans to attend all of Thomas’ video games in Paris, and her different objective for Thomas is to win MVP of the league or WNBA finals.
Their marriage ceremony plans are on maintain for a bit till after the Olympics. And earlier than they head down the aisle, Bonner hopes to go head-to-head on the courtroom.
“We have the chance, if I make All Stars to really play in opposition to one another, as a result of she’s on Team USA after which if I make All Stars, the All Stars are taking part in Team USA,” she stated. “I’m simply gonna shoot it and hope it goes in, as a result of as soon as it goes in, I’m by no means going to cease speaking trash.”
During a recreation of one-on-one after the interview on the Mohegan Sun Arena, it was clear how critical Bonner was about beating Thomas. “If I make it in, I’m going loopy,” she stated earlier than sinking a basket, her cheering echoing via the practically empty stadium.
“If I make [the All Star Team], she’s shopping for dinner, drinks, I’m getting spending cash in Paris, all of it if I win,” Bonner laughed.
The two professional athletes admitted to being extremely aggressive in opposition to one another. “I attempt to beat her at the whole lot – I do not care if it is popping some popcorn, I’m making an attempt to have the perfect popcorn ever,” Bonner stated.
“She often loses although,” Thomas joked.
Their aggressive spirit has helped the athletes excel of their careers. Their message to women trying as much as them: “People attempt to tear you down and let you know you may’t do one thing,” Thomas stated. “But you do not know until you go on the market and take a look at.”
“Don’t let anyone change you. Don’t let anyone cease you from being you. Because there’s just one you, may as effectively simply present it to the world,” Bonner stated.
