A graduate of Sacramento High School in Sacramento, California, Shantel Thomas was the No. 9 ranked senior by NorCal Hoops and 45th out of the top-100 by Grass Roots Sports in the state of California coming out of high school. As a senior at Sacramento High School, Thomas earned All-CAL First Team honors as a guard after averaging 13.0 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Dragons.

She received a full ride scholarship to UC Santa Barbara where she saw time in 25 games as a freshman in Southern California helping her team to its 11^th consecutive regular season title in 2006. After returning home from UCSB, Thomas transferred to Cosumnes River College where she played for Coach Sage and the Hawks helping CRC post one of their best records in Coach Sage’s tenure (21-12).

Thomas received a full ride scholarship to University of the Pacific in Stockton in 2009 and completed her B.A. Degree in Social Science while finding a niche in Coaching as she was invited back to Coach alongside Coral Sage and the Hawks.

Coach Thomas' main duties include guard work, practice and game strategies and coming up with fun team building games.