Former Arizona women’s basketball star to host youth basketball clinic in Tucson

The Sam Thomas Hoop Group basketball clinic returns to the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road, for its fifth year on Sunday.

The event, co-hosted by former Arizona women’s basketball player Dominique McBryde, kicks off at 10:30 a.m., and the clinic’s three sessions will be divided into age groups: 6-10, 11-14, and 15-18. 

Registration fees start at $70 for JCC members and $90 for non-members. As of press time, there were still spots available for the clinic. 

Interested participants can register online at tucsonjcc.org. 

At the clinic, youth athletes will take part in basketball drills and games led by Thomas, McBryde, UA basketball trainers and JCC coaches, according to the JCC website.

There will also be dedicated time for a Q&A and autographs with Thomas.

“I cannot believe we are already at year 5,” Thomas told the JCC earlier this summer. “One of the things that keeps me coming back is the kids. I keep all the photos that I am sent from my time playing, and each year I usually see at least one camper that I met at a young age and they come to me years later, 4 feet taller and in their own personal sports journey. It is such a cool experience getting to be somewhat in their lives through that transition and knowing that they actually remembered what I would tell them at the camps or games. They are the reason I keep coming back and wanting to make it bigger and better each year!”

Thomas ended her time at Arizona in 2022 with 1,382 points, 630 rebounds and 479 baskets (field goals).

During her senior year, she was named the 2021 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the 2021 (and 2022) CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American and she won the 2022 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup.

After graduating from Arizona, Thomas signed a contract with the Phoenix Mercury, but was ultimately relieved from her contract in 2023.

“Basketball has been and continues to be a huge influence in my life,” Thomas told the JCC. “The camp itself is a great example of allowing me to come back to Tucson, a place I love so much, and sharing the game of basketball with younger athletes and hopefully help them get one step closer to their dreams. It is more than basketball; it is about being a good teammate and meeting new people. Basketball has brought me some of my lifelong friends, including the one and only Dominique (McBryde), going on almost 10 years of friendship.”