LaToya Thomas Named A Four-Time Kodak All-American
May 25, 2016 | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA, Ga. -- Mississippi State senior LaToya Thomas became only the sixth four-time honoree when the 2003 Division I women's basketball Kodak All-America team was announced Friday. The Kodak/WBCA All-America Awards honor the 10 best collegiate women's basketball players in the nation. Thomas joins Ann Meyers from UCLA (1975-78), Lynette Woodard from Kansas (1978-81), Cheryl Miller from Southern Cal (1983-86), Chamique Holdsclaw of Tennessee (1996-99) and Tamika Catchings of Tennessee (1998-01) as the only four-time honorees. Thomas is one of three players that represent the SEC along with Chantelle Anderson of Vanderbilt and Kara Lawson of Tennessee on this year's team.
"It's a great honor to be named a four-time Kodak All-American," said senior forward LaToya Thomas, "not everyone gets that opportunity. It is a privilege to be recognized and a part of such a talented group of women who have achieved this honor."
In her first season at MSU, LaToya Thomas became only the eighth freshman in the 25-year history of Kodak All-America honors to earn the award. Now after earning the honor her senior season, she has become just the sixth player in women?s basketball history to receive this honor all four years of her career.
"It is a tremendous honor to be selected at any point of a career to the Kodak/WBCA All-America team," said head coach Sharon Fanning. "However, selected as a four-time All-American puts you in a selected group with Ann Meyers, Lynette Woodard, Cheryl Miller, Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings."
Other members of the 2003 Kodak/WBCA team are Chantelle Anderson (Vanderbilt), Alana Beard (Duke), Kara Lawson (Tennessee), Kelly Mazzante (Penn State), Nicole Ohlde (Kansas State), Nicole Powell (Stanford), Diana Taurasi (Connecticut), Iciss Tillis (Duke) and Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota).
In addition to being named a four-time Kodak All-American, Thomas will participate in the WBCA All-Star Challenge Friday evening at 8 p.m. ET at Georgia Tech's Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
The sixth Annual WBCA All-Star Challenge will take place as part of a doubleheader prelude to the NCAA Women's Final Four in Atlanta, Georgia. The WBCA All-Star Challenge features 17 of the top senior NCAA Division I players, voted on by Division I Head Coaches, and the NCAA Division II, III and NAIA top senior vote getters in The State Farm Player of the Year ballots, to go head to head in an action-packed game of women's basketball.
Leading the college all-stars at point guard is Vanderbilt's Ashley McElhiney, University of North Carolina's Coretta Brown, Iowa State's Lindsey Wilson, Bringham Young University's Erin Thorn and Boston College's Brianne Stepherson.
Perimeter players that will be participating in the contest include Notre Dame's Alicia Ratay, Tulsa's Allison Curtin, Villanova's Trish Juhline, UCLA's Michelle Greco and Clemson's Chrissy Floyd.
On the inside will be Mississippi State's star post player, LaToya Thomas, Plenette Pierson of Texas Tech, Jocelyn Penn of South Carolina and Louisiana Tech's Cheryl Ford.
"We are again very excited about this recognition for LaToya. We are excited that she's been selected to play in the WBCA All-Star Challenge and the recognition for both awards," said Fanning.
2003 Kodak All-Americans
Chantelle Anderson, Vanderbilt
Alana Beard, Duke
Kara Lawson, Tennessee
Kelly Mazzante, Penn State
Nicole Ohlde, Kansas State
Nicole Powell, Stanford
Diana Taurasi, Connecticut
LaToya Thomas, Mississippi State
Iciss Tillis, Duke
Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota
Four-Time Kodak All-Americans
Ann Meyers of UCLA (1975-78)
Lynette Woodard of Kansas (1978-81)
Cheryl Miller of Southern Cal (1983-86)
Chamique Holdsclaw of Tennessee (1996-99)
Tamika Catchings of Tennessee (1998-01)
LaToya Thomas of Mississippi State (2000-03)
