Caiya Hanks

About

Caiya Hanks (born September 26, 2004) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, earning first-team All-American honors after leading Wake Forest to the 2024 national title game.

Born in Oakland, California, Hanks moved to Hawaii at age five. She grew up in Kailua-Kona. She began playing soccer in the footsteps of her older sister, Jadyn, who later played college soccer at Idaho. Their father, Steve, who played college football at Kansas State, sometimes had them wake up early to practice running track.
Hanks attended Konawaena High School, where she was an all-state member of the soccer team, winning multiple BIIF titles. She also starred on the Konawaena track team, winning the state 200 meters race in her senior year. She played club soccer for Kona Crush. Hawaii’s distance limited her exposure to college scouts, but she eventually committed to Wake Forest in her senior year. While in college, Hanks played during the summer for Tampa Bay United and Racing Louisville in the USL W League.

Hanks…