Caledonia Gladiators have added forward Taris Thornton to their women’s roster ahead of the new Super League Basketball season.
The club confirmed the signing of the 6ft Chicago native after a standout professional campaign in Portugal’s Liga Feminina with Esgueira Aveiro.
Thornton previously played college basketball at Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech, where she helped the Golden Eagles win an Ohio Valley Conference title, before beginning her professional career in Europe.
Her first professional season in Portugal gives Caledonia a proven scoring option. The Gladiators said Thornton was named Liga Feminina Player of the Month for January after averaging 21.8 points and 7.3 rebounds across the month.
Across the season, the club reported that Thornton ranked second in the league in scoring, averaging 17.6 points, 7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Head coach Donnie MacDonald said via the club that Thornton is a “really dynamic player” who performed well on both ends of the floor for a competitive team in Portugal, adding that he expects her to fit the Gladiators’ style of play.
The signing adds further firepower and athleticism to Caledonia’s women’s squad as preparations continue for 2026/27.
Supporters are set to get an early look at the team in a pre-season friendly at Playsport, East Kilbride, on Sunday 20 September, with the club also holding a first-look event for season-ticket holders on Wednesday 9 September.
Source: Caledonia Gladiators.