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Wildcats standout settles on Clemson

Sthefany Thomas, who has one season left, likes the feel of the ACC school.

By IZZY GOULD
Published September 5, 2006

WESLEY CHAPEL - Sthefany Thomas landed in South Carolina on Thursday prepared for her first official visit and Clemson's full-court press. Her airline threw a wrinkle into the plan.

Thomas went almost 24 hours without clothes while her luggage made a pit stop. As her high-tops sat in some exotic locale like Sheboygan, Wis., she missed a chance to play in a Tigers pickup game.

None of that mattered. Thomas, and Clemson impressed each other, leading to the Wesley Chapel star's oral commitment Saturday morning for a full scholarship.

"They're in the ACC, one of the most competitive conferences in the country," Thomas said. "That made me feel like every game's going to be very competitive. It will make me play my hardest."

Thomas has been intensely recruited by various Division I programs including Temple, Ohio State and Michigan State. Her final three included Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. She has since canceled plans to visit those schools.

Oral commitments are not recognized by the NCAA and are nonbinding until a student-athlete signs a national letter of intent. Signing day is Nov. 8.

Thomas has plenty of experience and a glowing resume. She is a member of Argentina's junior Olympic team and a star for the Orlando Comets, a 16-and-under AAU team that won a national title this summer.

As a junior, Wesley Chapel's 5-foot-10 point guard averaged 25.3 points and eight assists and continued to help build the Wildcats into a county power. After the program's first winning season her sophomore year, Thomas led the Wildcats to their first district title and playoff berth last season.

At Clemson, she will play shooting guard and expects to compete for playing time immediately, though the coaches made no promises, insisting the lineup could change daily.

"They said everyone gets their minutes," Thomas said. "As a freshman I can come, play, get better and help the team."

Her parents also made the trip. Her father, James, is an assistant at Hillsborough Community College and played in the 1973 Final Four with Arizona State.

"Sthefany's idea is not to redshirt or sit on the bench," her father said. "Thomases do not sit on benches."

Thomas' decision allows her to enter fall practice with her mind clear of recruiting distractions. Her intent had always been to choose a school before her final season.

"It's nice to have this out of the way," Thomas said.

Contact Izzy Gould at igould@sptimes.com

[Last modified September 5, 2006, 07:04:23]