WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Thomas extended invitation by American International Sports Teams

LONGVIEW –LeTourneau University sophomore center DeShante Thomas has been selected by American International Sports Teams (AIST) to represent the USA in an international basketball tour in the summer of 2012.

AIST selects the top 225 statistical leaders from the NCAA Division III level for this opportunity. This event will give these athletes the opportunity to experience basketball on an international level while playing with the top level players from all over the country.  Currently, Division III is home to over 5,000 women's basketball players.

When informed of the honor of being selected Thomas (Whitehouse, Texas/Whitehouse) described her selection as "pretty awesome."

The objective of AIST is to give these athletes the opportunity to represent the USA and compete at a very high level against very good international competition.

Thomas was named to the ASC's All-Freshman and All-Defensive teams at the conclusion of the 2010-11 season and was given all-conference Honorable Mention. She broke the LeTourneau single-season record for blocked shots with 56 and averaged six points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 47 percent from the floor.

"I am very excited for DeShante and this great opportunity that has presented itself," said Head Coach Corey Thomaston.  "DeShante has worked extremely hard to get to this point and this type of exposure and experience could help propel career into heights she has not dreamed of yet."