LaToya Thomas (2015) - Hall of Fame

LaToya Thomas

Induction:
2015
Class:
2003

LaToya Thomas became one of the best Bulldogs to grace the hardwood from 1999-2003. She became just the sixth women's player ever to be named a four-time Kodak All-American and just the eighth freshman to earn the honor. The 2000 Associated Press SEC Newcomer of the Year and two-time AP SEC Player of the Year ended her heralded four years at MSU with 2,981 points, a mark that still sits atop program records while ranking second and 16^th in SEC and NCAA history, respectively. She also continues to rate fifth in SEC annals in field goals made with 1,119 and first in free throws made with 709 over her four years in Starkville.

Thomas, who holds five of the Top 10 single-game scoring marks at MSU, was a three-time National Player of the Year finalist, two-time Associated Press First Team All-American and first-team All-SEC selection all four years.

After averaging 23.8 ppg for her career with the Bulldogs, Thomas became the first athlete from the state of Mississippi to be taken with the No. 1 pick in a professional draft when she was selected by the Cleveland Rockers in the 2003 WNBA Draft. She went on to play eight seasons in the league, averaging 9.3 points per game during her career. After spending her rookie season with the Rockers, she spent the next three seasons with the San Antonio Stars. From there, she concluded her WNBA career playing one season for three teams, the San Antonio Stars, the Detroit Shock and the Minnesota Lynx. She also enjoyed a successful overseas career as well.

On Nov. 11, 2022, Mississippi State honored Thomas by commemorating her No. 32 jersey in the rafters inside Humphrey Coliseum, as she became the first female in Mississippi State history to have this honor bestowed upon her. Thomas joined a highly exclusive club with Bailey Howell, James “Babe” McCarthy and Jack Cristil as the only Bulldogs to have their names honored forever in Humphrey Coliseum.