Thomas Hired as Assistant Women's Basketball Coach
8/11/2023 1:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State women's basketball rounded out its 2023-24 coaching staff with the addition of assistant coach Destiny Thomas on Friday afternoon. Thomas, a former collegiate standout at Clemson, joins the Gamecock program after one season at Anderson University.
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"While a young coach, Destiny brings some great experience to our program at a variety of levels," head coach Rick Pietri said. "Having played at a major college level, graduate assisted at a successful high mid-major program, and spent a year coaching at a strong Division II program, Destiny brings with her exposure to a number of different ways to be successful. We look forward to her contributing to our program in several ways."
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Thomas helped guide the Trojans to an 18-13 campaign last season, including 10 league victories and an appearance in the South Atlantic Conference Championship Game. In her time in Anderson, S.C., she coordinated recruiting efforts, provided on-floor coaching and development, and assisted in opponent scouting reports for a successful Division II program. Furthermore, she played a hand in the development of Second-Team All-SAC performer Diamond McDowell and SAC All-Freshman Team selection Ashlyn Sheridan.
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Prior to landing her first full-time job in women's basketball, Thomas spent one year as a graduate assistant at Tulane University. She was on the staff in the 2021-22 season when the Green Wave scored 21 wins and advanced to the American Athletic Conference Quarterfinals before topping Jax State in the First Round of the WNIT.
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Jacksonville State's newest assistant coach played four seasons at Clemson University. She appeared in 119 games in four seasons in the Palmetto State, helping the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19 and the WNIT in 2020-21.
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Thomas worked youth basketball camps at her alma mater in 2018 and 2019 and volunteered at Pelham (Ga.) High School's summer basketball camps in 2018.
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The Pelham, Ga., native graduated from Clemson in just three years, earning a bachelor's degree in sports communication in 2020 before adding a master's degree in athletic leadership from CU in August 2021.
Thomas joins a solid staff for the Gamecocks that includes eleventh-year head coach Rick Pietri, eleventh-year assistant Eric Wise, and fellow first-year assistant Ka'Vonne Towns. They will look to guide Jax State to a successful first season in Conference USA against the likes of Florida International, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, UTEP, and Western Kentucky.Â
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Twitter (@JaxStateWBB), and Instagram (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.
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"While a young coach, Destiny brings some great experience to our program at a variety of levels," head coach Rick Pietri said. "Having played at a major college level, graduate assisted at a successful high mid-major program, and spent a year coaching at a strong Division II program, Destiny brings with her exposure to a number of different ways to be successful. We look forward to her contributing to our program in several ways."
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Thomas helped guide the Trojans to an 18-13 campaign last season, including 10 league victories and an appearance in the South Atlantic Conference Championship Game. In her time in Anderson, S.C., she coordinated recruiting efforts, provided on-floor coaching and development, and assisted in opponent scouting reports for a successful Division II program. Furthermore, she played a hand in the development of Second-Team All-SAC performer Diamond McDowell and SAC All-Freshman Team selection Ashlyn Sheridan.
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Prior to landing her first full-time job in women's basketball, Thomas spent one year as a graduate assistant at Tulane University. She was on the staff in the 2021-22 season when the Green Wave scored 21 wins and advanced to the American Athletic Conference Quarterfinals before topping Jax State in the First Round of the WNIT.
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Jacksonville State's newest assistant coach played four seasons at Clemson University. She appeared in 119 games in four seasons in the Palmetto State, helping the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19 and the WNIT in 2020-21.
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Thomas worked youth basketball camps at her alma mater in 2018 and 2019 and volunteered at Pelham (Ga.) High School's summer basketball camps in 2018.
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The Pelham, Ga., native graduated from Clemson in just three years, earning a bachelor's degree in sports communication in 2020 before adding a master's degree in athletic leadership from CU in August 2021.
Thomas joins a solid staff for the Gamecocks that includes eleventh-year head coach Rick Pietri, eleventh-year assistant Eric Wise, and fellow first-year assistant Ka'Vonne Towns. They will look to guide Jax State to a successful first season in Conference USA against the likes of Florida International, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, UTEP, and Western Kentucky.Â
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Twitter (@JaxStateWBB), and Instagram (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.
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