Delaney Thomas '23 brings a gold to St. John's

St. John’s Delaney Thomas ‘23 took gold with the Team USA U16 basketball team in Mexico this summer. 

Delaney Thomas has been playing basketball since she was very young and stuck with the sport because of the “indescribable” energy and the lessons it can teach. Some of these lessons include: consistency, organization, always being prepared and never giving up. She brings these lessons to her daily life and on the court as St. John’s assistant coach Tim Fudd said, “She learned and developed a taste for putting in extra work on her game.  She has continually improved her game in various ways [which] sent her an inaugural Cadet season.” 

Tryouts for the national team began in July when the best 34 teen women athletes from around the nation went head to head to finalize the 16 person team. Thomas described this process as “mentally draining” and that you always had to be on your A-game and focus, but this may have prepared her for the tournament she was about to face ahead. 

During the tournament the US team was dominant and won the championship 118-45 against Canada, but Thomas said she and the rest of her team were extremely nervous. They decided to embrace these nerves and not let it affect their playing or focus, bringing yet another important lesson to the St. John’s student athlete.

Now that the tournament has ended, Delaney shifts her focus back to the St. John’s season. She wants to work even harder with her new earned discipline. Fudd said, “[Thomas] will bring great leadership, consistent scoring from all three levels, rebounding, and defensive prowess.” 

Fudd also said that he expects that Delaney will have a strong season and be in the conversation for Player of the Year in the WCAC. Delaney will significantly help St. John’s women’s varsity basketball team this year by sharing her discipline and work ethic as they compete to win the WCAC and DCSAA championships and hopefully bring back a trophy.