Information provided by the Arizona Media Relations Department contributed to this report
Arizona standout Sam Thomas was named one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS award on Thursday morning.
The award is given to the student-athlete who excels the most on and off the field.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS award focuses on the student-athlete spectrum and encourages students to use their sports platforms to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
Thomas currently ranks second in the Pac-12 in 3-point percentage (.468) and assist-to-rotation ratio (3:1). The Las Vegas native also ranks 10and on Arizona’s career scoring list with 1,316 points and is the Pac-12 career leader in steals with 247.
She was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American, Elite 90 Award winner, and 2021 Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year. Earlier this year, Thomas was named the 17and Annual Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup awarded to the most outstanding role models among student-athletes.
The finalists were chosen by a selection committee from the list of 30 male and 30 female candidates announced earlier in the season. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior CLASS award website until March 21. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winners. The Senior CLASS award winners will be announced at the 2022 NCAA Men’s Final Four® and Women’s Final Four®.
2021-22 Women’s Basketball Finalists
Name Position School
Elissa Cunane C State NC
Naz Hillmon F Michigan
Rhyne Howard G Kentucky
Lexie Hull G Stanford
Morgan Jones G Florida State
Sonya Morris G. DePaul
Ali Patberg G Indiana
NaLyssa Smith F Baylor
Sam Thomas F Arizona
Macee Williams F/C IUPUI
