College basketball recruiting can take some wild twists and turns. For DaVaunta Thomas, his journey to Fort Smith was no different.

When former UAFS head coach Josh Newman first went to watch Thomas play, he left at halftime. Thomas called him after the game and said he scored over 20 points in the second half. Newman didn't leave another game he attended, and Thomas brought his electric personality and charming smile to play for the Lions.

Thomas hit the ground running, earning Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year honors. Newman constantly challenged Thomas, and each time Thomas took that next step to turn into the player that racked up numerous awards and stamped his name in the UAFS record book.

"DaVaunta always had talent, but when he decided to take that next step and be the player we all knew he could be, the sky was the limit," Newman said.

Thomas finished his career second in program history in scoring with 1,677 points after playing for the Lions from 2014-18. He ranks in the top six in UAFS history in rebounds, blocks, assists and steals, as well, and as a senior, was named the Heartland Conference Player of the Year while also earning All-Region and All-America honors.

Thomas guided the Lions to two conference championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances in his career, playing three seasons alongside fellow UAFS Hall of Famer Seth Youngblood.

"His individual awards, records, and personal place in the history books speak for themselves, but the impact his contributions had towards multiple championships and NCAA Tournament appearances made UAFS basketball an elite program," Newman continued.

Many could speak at length about DaVaunta on the basketball court, but Thomas brought his same enthusiastic energy off the court, as well.

"DaVaunta is a true Lion," said current UAFS head basketball coach Zane Gibson, who coached Thomas for two seasons as an assistant on Newman's staff. "He is everything that we want in all our student athletes. He is a young man who has great passion and purpose, who doesn't let obstacles stand in his way."

Following his career with the Lions, Thomas has gone on to play professionally in both Europe and South America.