Oakton's Jasmine Thomas Is Simply The Best
Entering the 2003 season Oakton’s girl’s basketball coach Fred Priester had four returning starters and was preparing for a breakout season. While building a team with experienced players, Priester also had a freshman trying out for the team that everybody on his staff was aware of, except for him.
“They fell out of their seats,” Coach Priester commenting on his coaching staff, “I told them we had a freshman by the name of Jasmine Thomas joining the team and they were very excited.”
Just look at the past two seasons as the reasons why they were so excited. As a sophomore, she was named the Group AAA state player of the year. And she’s the two-time player of the year in the Northern Region and Concorde District.
Almost every top college has shown interest in Thomas.
And that’s why Priester’s coaches were giddy about the news she was attending their school.
Apparently Thomas’ reputation had already preceded her arrival to the Cougars. She began making a name for herself on the Fairfax Stars and other youth basketball leagues, highlighted by her play on the AAU level.
“I have been playing since I was 9 or 10 years old,” says Thomas. “Basketball is something that I practice all the time.”
Thomas’ talents were quickly noticed at Oakton, where she was named a starter as a freshman. Being the only freshman starter on a veteran team, Thomas knew there was pressure to prove that she belonged with the starting five. Her coach didn’t think she had much of a problem fitting in.
“Even though she has all of these talents, Thomas gets along with everybody,” Priester says. “She is team oriented and is always asking ‘What can we do?’ ”
It didn’t take long for her to prove her worth as she averaged more than 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in her first season. Her coach says her versatility makes her dangerous. Being 5-foot-9 and quick helps a great deal.
“She can play the point guard, but she is such a great scorer we use her at the shooting guard position sometimes,” says Priester. “We can even use her in the post – she has a great vertical jump.”
Thomas’ talents were once again noticed as she was named the player of the year for the Northern Region and the Concorde District. She was also first team all-state as she led the Cougars to a 24-4 record and the regional quarterfinals.
Thomas’ success as a freshman did not stop her determination to improve. Her hard work in the offseason paid off as she led the Cougars to a 26-4 record and a trip to the state semifinals. She was named district, region, and state player of the year. She was also selected first team All-Met.
“You’ve got to stay level headed,” says Thomas. “I just remember there was a time when I didn’t have any of these accolades.”
Those days are long gone and Thomas’ focus this season is to win a state title with this unit that came up just short last winter. Before this season, Priester named Thomas a captain along with two seniors. Priester believes it gives her a chance to be more vocal and exude leadership.
“I used to just have to lead by example,” says Thomas, “Now I get to verbalize and give constructive criticism.”
This season she is averaging over 24 points, eight rebounds, and 4.5 assists and steals. In one game last month she had a triple double scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. She also added six steals and two blocks. As a junior she has become a solid defender.
As Thomas leads her team for another playoff run, media outlets and top national scouts are noticing her skills. Priester has received countless requests about Thomas.
“I believe she has all the top 40 schools interested in her,” says Priester, “And most of the top 10. She will narrow the list down soon.”
Thomas has this opportunity mainly because she equals her efforts she puts on the basketball court in the classroom sporting a 3.4 GPA. She recognizes that an education is the key to success.
“It’s extremely important,” says Thomas. “I will take advantage of that, I say to myself ‘Jasmine you are going to college because of basketball.’ ”
Thomas isn’t sure what school she’ll eventually attend. She admits she follows just about all the top women’s basketball teams. In college, Thomas wants to be the ultimate team leader and run point guard for a nationally ranked school.
“I’ll let my game speak for itself,” says Thomas. “Don’t let the pressure get to you.”
