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VU’s Carla Thomas Named Preseason Candidate For Cingular Wireless Naismith Trophy 11-9-04 11/9/2004 Sophomore Forward Earns Second Preseason Honor NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt sophomore forward Carla Thomas has been named one of the 50 preseason candidates for the Naismith Trophy presented by Cingular Wireless, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men’s and women’s players of the year. Thomas, a native of Mechanicsburg, Pa., is one of three starters returning for the Commodores in 2004-05. She was named to the All-SEC Preseason first team. Thomas scored 12 points in the Commodores 72-42 exhibition win over the Ohio Legends to open the season. She posted one of the greatest freshman seasons in Vanderbilt history in 2003-04. She played in all 34 games for VU with 23 starts and averaged 10 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while rating second on the squad in field goal percentage at .552 (138-of-250). A unanimous selection to the coaches’ SEC All-Freshman team, the Associated Press also tabbed the rookie as an All-SEC Third Team choice. She was named to the national All-Freshman squad by Basketball Times. Thomas truly began making her mark once Southeastern Conference play began as the rookie upped her averages to a team-best 14.1 ppg to go along with 6.1 rbg during the rugged 14-game SEC schedule. She became the first freshman since Mississippi State All-America LaToya Thomas to be chosen as the SEC Tournament’s Most Valuable Player after averaging an incredible 14.0 ppg and 8.5 rbg over four games (three against ranked teams), as Vanderbilt picked up the program’s fourth SEC Tourney title. The Top 50 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its pre-season criteria on player performances from last season. In January, the Board of Selectors will narrow its pre-season list to the Top 30 players in the nation. Those players, and others who distinguish themselves throughout the season, will be eligible for the final ballot in March. As part of their involvement, Cingular is making this year’s selection process unique. For the first time, college basketball fans nationwide will have a voice in deciding who wins the Naismith Trophy presented by Cingular Wireless through the power and ease of wireless text messaging. Last year’s Naismith Trophy recipient was Connecticut’s Diana Taurasi. Other notable women’s college player of the year winners include Cheryl Miller, Chamique Holdsclaw and Sheryl Swoopes. For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com |
