Per GoBearcats:
University of Cincinnati senior forward IImar’I Thomas (first name pronounced ee-MAR-ee) has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2020-21 Senior CLASS Award, given annually to a women’s basketball student-athlete who excels both on and off the court.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
Thomas, a native of Oakland, California, who has earned American Athletic Conference All-Academic team selection and Dean’s List honors as a Bearcat, is on pace to earn her sports administration degree from the UC this summer.
Thomas has volunteered numerous hours of her time to help better serve Greater Cincinnati communities during her collegiate career. She has interacted with and encouraged Cincinnati youth during visits to area Boys and Girls Clubs, a nearby Ronald McDonald House and local YMCA youth clinics. Also a favorite among youth attending the annual UC women’s basketball summer camps, Thomas quickly creates a mentoring relationship with younger children thanks in part to her warm and engaging personality.
Following the departure of veterans Antoinette Miller, Angel Rizor and Sam Rodgers, Thomas has grown into a vocal leader and mentor to younger players during the 2020-21 campaign. Despite off-season limitations due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Thomas spearheaded efforts to help organize zoom calls and lead team meetings to foster team unity, facilitate the integration of newcomers with returning players and communicate preseason training and team goals and expectations for the current season. Thomas also met with team members and led discussions to help craft the team’s statement on the nation’s social injustice issue.
A strong work ethic, belief in herself and strong character have been evident since Thomas’ arrival to UC as a freshman at the age of 16. Despite her young age, she developed throughout the season, earning AAC Freshman of the Year accolades and unanimous selection to the AAC’s All-Freshman Team.
Thomas has garnered AAC First Team acclaim each of the past two seasons and was named a 2019-20 WBCA honorable mention All-American.
This season, the AAC Co-Preseason Player of the Year and midseason watch list candidate for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award ranks nationally in several statistics. She enters the second week of February listed among NCAA leaders in minutes played (second at 38.9), scoring average (15th at 22.2 points), field goals made (19th at 124), free throws made (19th at 80) and total points (24th at 333). She also ranks among AAC leaders in 10 statistical categories.
Her on-court achievements are listed throughout the UC record books as well. She enters this week needing 11 points to become only the third player in school history to eclipse 1,700 career points and 800 career rebounds. She also currently ranks among the school’s best in career field goal percentage (first at .584), blocks (third at 116), rebounds (fourth at 815), points (eighth at 1,689) and rebound average (8th at 7.2).
ABOUT THE AWARD
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The women’s candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists in late February, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will then select one female candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four C’s of community, classroom, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2021 NCAA Women’s Final Four this spring.
2020-21 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CANDIDATES
Janelle Bailey, North Carolina
Rennia Davis, Tennesse
Shannon Dufficy, Missouri
Dana Evans, Louisville
Amara Graham, Texas Rio Grande Valley
Arella Guirantes, Rutgers
Gabi Haack, Bradley
Kionna Jeter, Towson
N’dea Jones, Texas A&M
Antoinette Lewis, South Alabama
Jada Lewis, Mercer
Aari McDonald, Arizona
Blanca Millan, Maine
Maddie Monahan, Drake
Nancy Mulkey, Rice
Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA
Myah Pace, San Diego
Ali Patberg, Indiana
Khiarica Rasheed, Northern Arizona
Destiny Slocum, Arkansas
Bailey Thomas, UNLV
Sam Thomas, Arizona
IImar’I Thomas, Cincinnati
Unique Thompson, Auburn
Shannon Titus, Mercer
Jill Townsend, Gonzaga
Maddi Utti, Fresno State
Courtney Warley, Manhattan
Mariah White, Cleveland State
Kiana Williams, Stanford
