This August, the Tucson J will be hosting the 4th Annual Sam Thomas Hoop Group basketball clinic for children and teenagers. For the past four years, Sam has brought her skills, knowledge, and energy back to Tucson, inspiring young players and showing us all the possibilities that exist with hard work, a positive mindset, and dedication.
Sam Thomas is a former collegiate and professional basketball player who spent five years competing at the University of Arizona, where she was a standout on the women’s basketball team. After college, she went on to play in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury. Now working with a leading sports agency, Sam is passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation of athletes and using her experience to empower and guide young talent in the sports industry.
The Tucson J is honored to welcome back Sam and Dominique McBryde, a former UA Women’s Basketball player and the current coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of Evansville, for another outstanding clinic!
Read on to learn more about why Sam dedicates time to returning to Tucson each year, and what players can expect this summer.
What inspired you to start the Sam Thomas Hoop Group Clinic?
After spending 5 years in Tucson, it became a home to me. I always enjoyed being in the community and getting the chance to interact with the fans. Once I graduated I knew I wanted to give back. I wanted to help give kids more opportunity to play the sport that I love.
What values or lessons from your playing days do you most want to pass on through the clinic?
I want the kids to know that sports can be fun, and they don’t have to be filled with pressure or about wins/losses. Once you have a healthy relationship with whichever sport you choose to play, that is when you will start to see the results you want.
Can you walk us through a typical day at the clinic – what can participants expect?
You can expect a loud and energetic gym for camp. We are bringing back Dominique McBryde for year two, and those who have watched us play together know that we love to have fun! The day will be packed with drills and different competitions throughout the day. We will play some 5on5, 3on3, and of course, it wouldn’t be a Sam Thomas Hoop Group without some defense!
How have your experiences in college and the WNBA shaped your approach to coaching young athletes?
Through my experience in college and the WNBA, I have seen many different coaching styles and techniques. I am able to take little bits and pieces from what I have learned from all my coaches and apply that to young talent. I take many of the drills that I have learned through my experiences and incorporate them into my camp. However, the most important thing is that the athletes are having fun or else they won’t give their full effort.
Have there been any standout moments from past participants that have stayed with you?
Seeing kids that have been at my first ever Hoop Group to now that have either aged up to be with the older kids or who are starting their high school careers has truly been special to see. Throughout the year I try to stay in touch or keep up with some of the campers and they are making me proud! I have had some campers bring me pictures of them from my playing days when they were only 4-5 years old and then here they are at my camp beating me in some of the competitions!
What does it mean to you to be able to give back to the Tucson community?
It means so much to me to give back to the Tucson community. I feel as though the 5 years of playing in Tucson have been a mutual relationship of me pouring my heart into the community and basketball, as much as it is the fans doing the same thing. To know that I can always call Tucson home and to have people help me out, such as the Tucson J, means the world to me.
This is the fourth year of the clinic. What makes this year different or special compared to previous years?
We always want to improve and be bigger and better than the year before. There will be prizes given out, amazing and talented coaches helping me out, and of course, lots of fun. This year, we are bringing back the high school age group. I have so many kids who have been with me since day one that are now entering high school, so I want to make sure I get the chance to help them out as much as I can.
Thank you for your generosity and kind words, Sam!
We hope to see new and returning athletes at the clinic this summer! Spots are open for the following age groups and sessions:
- Ages 6-10, 10:30am-1:30pm
- Ages 11-14, 1:45-4:45pm
- Ages 15-18, 5-7pm