Caiya Hanks, Portland Thorns' Budding Star
- Zachary Hearn
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 24
The Portland Thorns are making a bold statement just nine days before the beginning of the regular season with the signing of a highly promising forward Caiya Hanks through 2028. The announcement of Hanks' arrival is a major move that signifies the team's desire to build a strong, dynamic roster for the future. The Thorns, one of the most successful and competitive teams in the NWSL, have a history of attracting top talent, and Hanks fits perfectly into their ethos.
Born in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Caiya Hanks finished her Junior year with Wake Forest impressing many. Last weekend, Hanks made her debut in the season opener against KC Current.
Starting in all 24 games for the Demon Deacons, Hanks’ 11 Goals and 12 Assists helped lead her team back to the NCAA tournament after not qualifying in 2023, and to the programs first College Cup final. Her standout season earned her a spot as a finalist for the prestigious 2024 MAC Hermann Award, an honor given to the best male and female college soccer players in Division I.
Playing as a winger and forward allowed her to be dynamic in different attacking scenarios. As a winger, she utilized her pace and dribbling ability to stretch the opposition's defense and create space for herself and her teammates. As a forward, she demonstrated her lethal finishing instincts, scoring consistently and contributing to her team's overall attacking rhythm. This flexibility is something that will be of immense value to the Thorns, as they already possess a strong attacking core, and Hanks’ arrival adds an additional weapon to their arsenal.
To preface her statistics, view the shot map and a map of carries into the box during the regular season. You’ll see how she is dangerous in the attack anywhere in the opponent's half.
In the 2024 regular season, Hanks’ numbers speak for themselves. With 137 dribbles (ranking third in the ACC) and 51 shots (ranking twelfth), she showcased her dynamic attacking style. Additionally, she completed 70 progressive runs (second in the ACC) and registered 112 total successful attacking actions (fifth in the ACC), further demonstrating her ability to not only contribute to her team's offensive efforts but also to push the tempo of the game.
Although Hanks is not necessarily a defensive-minded player, her offensive contributions are undeniable. In the fall 2024 season, she posted an overall impact score of 71.87 and an expected threat score of 54.42, ranking fifth and second in the ACC, respectively. These metrics underscore her immense value in the attacking third and the overall influence she has on the game.
These impact scores can be further supported by Hanks’ percentile ranks among other ACC players using the Per 90 Minute stats below.
She finds herself in the 78th percentile for touches in the box and 82nd for dribbles, showing her ability to be a constant presence in key offensive areas. Notably, Hanks’ percentile rankings in progressive runs (65th percentile) and progressive passes (15th percentile) emphasize her tendency to make runs into dangerous spaces rather than initiating attacks herself. This is an important distinction, as it highlights her predatory instincts as a forward who thrives on being in the right place at the right time.
Further solidifying her attacking credentials, Hanks ranks in the 72nd percentile for offensive duels won and the 80th percentile for expected goals (xG), indicating that she not only has the ability to create scoring chances but also convert them into goals. These statistics paint a picture of a player who is poised to make an impact at the professional level. These numbers demonstrate her ability to not only generate scoring opportunities for herself but also contribute and add to the overall attacking fluidity of the Portland Thorns.
As the Thorns’ 2024 NWSL season evolves, all eyes will be on Caiya Hanks. It will be fascinating to watch how quickly she can adapt to the professional level and integrate into a highly competitive roster. If her college performances are any indication, the Portland Thorns may have secured a future star -someone who can help propel the team to even greater success in the years to come.