Kayla McBride: Complete Guide to the WNBA's Record-Breaking Sharpshooter

On August 9, 2026, Kayla McBride etched her name into WNBA history . In a performance that will be remembered for generations, the Minnesota Lynx guard became the first player in league history to make 10 three-pointers in a single game . She finished with a career-high 43 points on 16-of-21 shooting, leading the Lynx to a 103-90 victory over the Dallas Wings .

At News Plus Globe, we celebrate athletes who push the boundaries of what is possible. Kayla McBride's journey from a small-town Pennsylvania girl to a WNBA record-breaker is a story of perseverance, dedication, and an unwavering belief in her craft.

Chapter 1: Early Life and College Career

Born in Erie, Pennsylvania

Kayla McBride was born on June 25, 1992, in Erie, Pennsylvania . She attended Villa Maria Academy in Malvern, Pennsylvania, where she developed the shooting skills that would later make her a WNBA legend . Her talent was evident early, and she became one of the most highly recruited prospects in the country.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

McBride played college basketball at the University of Notre Dame from 2010 to 2014 . She was a four-year contributor for the Fighting Irish and was part of a winning culture that would prepare her for professional success. During her time at Notre Dame, she helped lead the team to three national championship appearances, though the program did not win a title during her tenure.

Chapter 2: The WNBA Draft and Early Years

Third Overall Pick

McBride was selected with the third overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Stars . She made an immediate impact, earning All-Rookie Team honors in her debut season . Her rookie campaign showed glimpses of the player she would become, averaging 13.0 points per game while shooting 39.6% from three-point range .

San Antonio Stars (2014-2017)

McBride spent her first four seasons with the Stars, developing into one of the league's most reliable scorers. She had a breakout season in 2016, averaging a career-high 17.1 points per game . Her shooting efficiency improved each year, and by 2017, she had established herself as a cornerstone of the franchise.

Key Stat Highlights in San Antonio:

• 2016: 17.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.9 APG

• 2017: 15.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.6 APG

• 2015: First All-Star selection

Chapter 3: The Las Vegas Aces Years

Moving to Las Vegas

When the San Antonio Stars relocated to Las Vegas, McBride continued her career with the Aces. She played for Las Vegas from 2018 to 2020 . During this period, she earned two more All-Star selections (2018, 2019) and established herself as one of the league's elite shooters .

Key Stat Highlights in Las Vegas:

• 2018: 18.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 SPG

• 2019: 13.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.2 SPG

• 2019: Shot 42.8% from three-point range, career-high efficiency

International Success

During her WNBA offseasons, McBride became a global basketball star. She played for Yakin Dogu in Turkey from 2016 to 2018, where she earned numerous accolades including Eurobasket.com All-Europe First Team honors and was named Eurobasket.com All-Europe Player of the Year in 2018 .

She then joined UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, where she won a EuroLeague Championship in 2019 and was named All-Europe Shooting Guard of the Year by Eurobasket.com . Her international career cemented her reputation as one of the most complete guards in women's basketball.

Chapter 4: The Minnesota Lynx Era

Joining the Lynx in 2021

In 2021, McBride signed with the Minnesota Lynx, where she has found her true home . The move to Minnesota revitalized her career, and she has become the centerpiece of the Lynx's offense alongside Napheesa Collier and rookie sensation Olivia Miles.

Season-by-Season with the Lynx:

SeasonPPGRPGAPG3P%All-Star202113.73.62.337.9%No202213.32.82.135.6%No202314.33.22.234.2%No202415.02.63.240.7%Yes202514.22.33.539.5%Yes

Source:

The 2024 All-Star Return

After a four-year All-Star drought, McBride returned to the WNBA All-Star Game in 2024 . She followed that up with another selection in 2025, proving that her game was aging like fine wine . Her ability to adapt her game and remain effective as a veteran has been remarkable.

Chapter 5: The 2026 Season: A Career Renaissance

Record-Breaking Season

The 2026 season has been the best of McBride's career. At 34 years old, she is playing at an elite level . As of August 2026, she is averaging 17.6 points per game with a career-best 45.4% field goal percentage . She leads the WNBA in total minutes played and has appeared in every game for the Lynx .

2026 Season Stats (Through August):

• PPG: 17.6

• RPG: 3.3

• FG%: 45.4%

• 3PM: 100+ (league leader)

• Steals: Career-high 1.7 per game

The Record-Breaking Performance

On August 9, 2026, Kayla McBride made history . She became the first player in WNBA history to hit double-digit three-pointers in a single game, connecting on 10 of her 14 attempts from beyond the arc . She finished with a career-high 43 points on 16-of-21 shooting, leading the Lynx to a 103-90 victory over the Dallas Wings .

The performance was a masterclass in shooting efficiency. McBride made her first four field goal attempts and 12 of her first 13 shots, including six three-pointers . She went 8-of-9 on passes from rookie phenom Olivia Miles, who finished with 13 assists . The Target Center crowd chanted "Kayla" as she was given a curtain call .

The Record-Breaking Night:

• Points: 43 (career-high)

• Three-Pointers: 10 (WNBA record)

• Field Goals: 16-of-21

• Minutes: 32

• Team Result: 103-90 win over Dallas Wings

Moving Up the All-Time Scoring List

The historic performance also pushed McBride past Lynx legend Seimone Augustus on the all-time scoring list . She now sits at 18th on the WNBA all-time points list with 6,013 career points . Earlier in the season, she passed Tina Thompson for fifth place on the WNBA's career three-pointers list with her 749th three-pointer .

Defensive Contributions

McBride's impact is not limited to offense. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve praised her defensive contributions, calling her "the head of the defensive snake" who chases around opponents' toughest guards . She is averaging a career-high 1.7 steals per game, and her 4.2 rebounds per game are the most she has averaged in a Lynx uniform .

Chapter 6: Career Milestones and Legacy

Career Achievements

AchievementDetailsWNBA Championships3 (2011, 2013, 2015 as part of international play) WNBA All-Star Selections5 (2015, 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025) All-Rookie Team2014 EuroLeague Champion2019 (UMMC Ekaterinburg) EuroLeague All-Europe First Team2017, 2018, 2019 Eurobasket.com All-Europe Player of the Year2018

WNBA Records

• Single-Game Three-Pointers: 10 (August 9, 2026)

• First player in WNBA history with double-digit threes in a game

• Top 5 All-Time Three-Pointers Made (passed Tina Thompson for 5th)

Career Totals

CategoryTotalGames Played397+ Points6,013+ (18th all-time) Three-Pointers749+ (5th all-time) Rebounds1,269+ Assists1,003+

Source:

Chapter 7: The 2026 All-Star Snub Controversy

Despite her historic season and the Lynx holding the best record in the WNBA (27-7), McBride was not selected for the 2026 All-Star Game . The omission shocked fans and analysts, and Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve did not hold back in her criticism:

"It's disgraceful she was not an All-Star. All-WNBA player... She is just so bought in in our concepts, and when someone like McBride does it, everyone else follows. It's contagious."

Even after Kelsey Plum was injured, Phoenix guard Kahleah Copper was selected to replace her instead of McBride . The snub has become a motivating factor for the veteran guard, who continues to prove her doubters wrong with historic performances.

Chapter 8: The 2026 Season and Playoff Push

Leading the League's Best Team

The Minnesota Lynx have been the best team in the WNBA in 2026, with a 27-7 record as of August 9 . They have won 12 of their last 13 games and have already clinched a playoff spot .

McBride's leadership has been crucial to the team's success, especially with Napheesa Collier missing time earlier in the season . Her 42.4% three-point shooting and league-leading 100+ made threes have been the engine of the Lynx offense .

The Lynx's Championship Aspirations

With McBride playing at an MVP-caliber level and rookie Olivia Miles emerging as a star, the Lynx are positioned for a deep playoff run. Coach Cheryl Reeve has built a team that combines veteran leadership with young talent, and McBride has been the steadying presence that has made it all work .

Chapter 9: Personal Life and Legacy

The Journey from Erie to the WNBA

McBride has often spoken about her journey from Erie, Pennsylvania, to the WNBA. Her mother has been a constant source of support, tracking her career milestones and keeping her grounded . As she said after moving past Tina Thompson on the all-time three-pointers list:

"I'm just so grateful [for] everything that led me to this exact moment and everything that's ahead."

The Shooting Mentor

McBride credits former teammate and current Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon for the best shooting advice she ever received. During her rookie year with the San Antonio Stars, Hammon told her:

"The better screener you become, the more shots you'll be able to create for yourself."

McBride took those words to heart and has become one of the best three-point shooters in WNBA history.

What's Next?

As McBride continues to climb the all-time scoring and three-pointers lists, her legacy as one of the greatest shooters in WNBA history is secure. Her record-breaking performance on August 9, 2026, will be remembered as one of the greatest individual performances in league history.

Conclusion

Kayla McBride has proven that age is just a number and that greatness can be achieved at any stage of a career. From her early days in San Antonio to her championship years in Las Vegas and her record-breaking run in Minnesota, McBride has consistently elevated her game and delivered when it matters most.

At News Plus Globe, we celebrate athletes like Kayla McBride who push the boundaries of what is possible. Her journey from Erie, Pennsylvania, to becoming the WNBA's first player to hit 10 three-pointers in a game is a testament to hard work, dedication, and an unwavering belief in her craft. As she continues to climb the all-time leaderboards and chase a WNBA championship, McBride's legacy as one of the greatest shooters in basketball history is already secure.