Senior Spotlight: Diamond Thomas, Penn State Beaver
Welcome to our Senior Spotlight series. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the PSUAC had to cancel its fall and winter sport seasons. This prevented several student-athletes from receiving a proper senior day and minimized opportunities for Player of the Week awards. In its place, we will highlight seniors from around the conference throughout the remainder of the semester.
See more Senior Spotlight highlights on our Twitter (@psuac) and Instagram (psuac)!
Name: Diamond Thomas
Campus: Beaver
Primary Sport: Women's Basketball
Primary Position: Point Guard
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: Carlynton
Major: Accounting
Academic Achievements: GPA 3.4 PSUAC Academic All-Conference (2017-2021)
Athletic Achievements: 2x PSUAC West Player of the Year (2020 & 2019); PSUAC All-conference (1st Team West) (2020 & 2019); PSUAC Player of the week (2x in 2020, 2x in 2019); USCAA All-Tournament Most Valuable Player (2020); USCAA First Team All-American (2020, 2019); USCAA Player of the week (2x in 2020, 2x in 2019); PSUAC Conference Champion; 2020 USCAA National Champion 2020
Additional Info: Basketball Captain (2019&2020)
How did your Penn State education prepare you for life after graduation? The business internship was the most successful way to prepare for life after graduation.
How do you hope to be remembered by teammates and coaches? I hope to be remembered by teammates and coaches as a hardworker. No matter if I had a bad day on the court or off, and attitudes was off.. I still did what needed to be done with no excuses.
What is your favorite memory from playing your sport at Penn State? Achieving my 1,000th point & winning the National Championship
What is the best advice you ever received from a coach or teammate that you would share with other student-athletes? Dont compare and bring yourself down to your fellow peers/opponents.. Make sure you out-do you everyday.
What are you most looking forward to post graduation? Or in your transition to University Park (or other campus) to finish your degree? I am most looking forward to starting my career and getting my life in order to eventually be able to start a family of my own.
What are some of the tools or skills that you learned through all the years of playing your sport that you plan to instill once you enter the workforce? Skills and tools I learned through basketball that I will implement to the workforce are: Time management Balance (work, school, hobbies, family, God etc.) Hardwork, No excuses Dont let any outside, negative energy mess up your purpose/goal.
What impact did athletics have on your experience as a college student? What is your favorite memory outside of athletics during your time as a student-athlete? Athletics impact on my college experience was great. Beaver athletics is really a family-like community from the athletes to coaches to directors. My favorite memory outside of athletics is becoming and re-establishing BSU (Black Student Union).
Please use this space to thank anyone you wish to acknowledge for their support during your academic and athletic career. I would like to thank God & Coach Moore for bringing me this opportunity to have the option to continue my basketball career. My mom, dad, and the rest of my family for the unconditional love and support they have gave me since I started my basketball career in 4th grade. They all have been by my side ever since. Then lastly, my teammates and other coaches who gave me unforgettable years and dealt with my mood swings good or bad lol. Love yall!