Guard
6-2, 175
Junior
San Francisco, CA
St. Ignatius Prep
Sociology
Outstanding off-guard who has great athletic ability...exceptional shooter
and scorer ... a hard worker on both ends of the floor...just nine three-
pointers away at the start of the season of tying the USF career record for
three-pointers made (142 held by Gerald Walker)
Sophomore:
Forced to switch between point and off-guard due to injuries at
the one-guard slot...was the second leading scorer on the team (10.9, 18th
best in the WCC)... scored in double figures 20 times, with a season-best
21 at Pepperdine (7-8 floor) ...led the team in scoring 10
times...scored 17 points at Indiana, making 7 of 10 shots from the floor.
Freshman:
Originally slated to be a redshirt, Ali was one of USF's top
players and was named West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year...was
forced into service after both Gerald Zimmerman and M.J. Nodilo were hurt
prior to the season...set a new USF team record, hitting 75 three-pointers
in a season, shattering Shawn Sykes' mark of 63...second on the team in
scoring (11.1 ppg)...scored 21 points in his first collegiate start vs. San
Jose State... scored in double figures 17 times with a career high of 25 at
Gonzaga on January 29...scored 15 points in NCAA tournament game vs.
finalist Utah, making four of nine shots from three-point range...keyed a
USF rally in that game to tighten the score with three treys within a
minute...started 18 games including six of the last seven (not starting on
senior night)...12 games with three or more 3-pointers...his 2.4 three's
per game ranked second in the West Coast Conference... quick hands, his 34
steals led the team... excellent free-throw shooter, hitting 37 of 46
(80.4%).
High School:
A Street & Smith's high honorable mention All-American
...averaged 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals as a
senior...shot 46% from three-point range (61-132)...led St. Ignatius to a
big win over arch-rival Sacred Heart in the Bruce-Mahoney game by scoring
18 points in the fourth quarter.
Personal:
Alejandro Dan Fermin Thomas
Born: 3/23/79 in San Francisco
Nickname: Ali
High School: St. Ignatius Prep
(Coach: Don Lippi)
Mentor: Nestor Fernandez
(Lecturer, Sports & Fitness Management Program)
