East St. John coach Troy Giordano isn’t quite sure if senior point guard Mechel’le Thomas is the best player he’s had in his tenure at the school. But if she’s not, he says the list ahead of her is a short one.

“She’s gotta be in the top three, at the very least,” Giordano says.

Thomas will go down as one of the most decorated athletes to ever attend the school when she graduates. She’s garnered three selections to the LSWA All-State team, and a fourth this year would make her the first athlete in school history to have achieved that honor.

“She’s a flat out winner,” says Giordano. “This is a kid that could go play with any AAU team in the country, but she chooses to play with her teammates in the summer. It’s hard to find a kid like Mechel’le. Most star players aren’t like that anymore.”

Thomas leads ESJ in scoring, but perhaps most impressive is what she doesn’t do — turn the ball over. She averages five assists to only 1.1 turnovers a contest.

“And she handles the ball all game long,” Giordano says. “She’s special.”

So…let’s get to know Mechel’le Thomas.

What do you enjoy about playing basketball? Having fun and playing with my friends.

What do you like best about being a student athlete? Showing people that I can make grades and do well at basketball too.

Do you feel an added responsibility of being a role model as a student-athlete? Yes, because my younger teammates look up to me.

Most memorable game? Playing Destrehan at Destrehan. We scored five points in the last five seconds of the game to win.

Who has been the most influential person in your sports career? My daddy.

Who is your favorite athlete? Chris Paul and Tamika Johnson.

Favorite Team? New Orleans Hornets.

Favorite school subject? P.E.

Plans after high school? To go to college and keep playing basketball.

Favorite movie/tv show/actor or actress? Love and Basketball, The Proud Family, Sanaa Lathan.

Favorite type of music? Rap, Lil Wayne.

Favorite food? Pizza and hot wings.

Best vacation? Going to the Mall of America in Minnesota.

Best thing about living in St. John Parish? That I get to go to East St. John.

Hobbies: Basketball and eating.

Parents: Mechele Smith and Curtis Thomas.