Notable Seminole Birthday: FSU Women’s Hoops Legend Shakayla Thomas Turns 30

Born May 5, 1996, Shakayla Thomas was one of the greatest players ever to don the garnet and gold for the Florida State women’s basketball program. She celebrates her 30th birthday today!

A native of Alabama, Thomas spent four seasons with the Florida State women's hoops program from 2014 to 2018. A 5-foot-11 forward, Thomas left as one of the most accomplished players in program history and helped the Seminoles reach new heights. FSU advanced past the first round of the NCAA Tournament in each of her four seasons on campus.

As a freshman during the 2014-15 season, Thomas was named to ACC All-Freshman team and the conference's Sixth Player of the Year. She averaged 10 points and nearly five rebounds while shooting 53% from the field as FSU won a program-record 32 games and reached the Elite Eight for the second time ever.

Thomas would earn first-team All-ACC honors and honorable mention All-American honors in each of her final three seasons. After averaging 16.4 points and 5.5 rebounds as a sophomore on a career-best 54% shooting, Thomas was named ACC Player of the Year and ACC Sixth Player of the Year as a junior as she put up 14.9 points and six rebounds per game to help the Seminoles make a return trip to the Elite Eight during the 2016-17 campaign.

Thomas' senior year would be her best as she averaged 17.8 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 52% for the 2017-18 season. Selected by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 23 pick during the 2018 WNBA Draft, Thomas was also briefly a member of the Las Vegas Aces.

Thomas' 14.6 points per game average and 772 career rebounds each 10th in FSU history. She ranks third all-time for the Seminoles in points (1,971), second in field goals (851) and fifth in games played (135).