ARG - Thomas part of the future for Argentina women's game

MADRID (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) - Sthefany Thomas caused quite a stir in Slovakia last year when she played at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women.

She finished tied for the second-best scoring average in the tournament at 19.4 points while also pulling down 8.2 rebounds per game.

This week in Madrid at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women, Thomas, a rising sophomore at Clemson University, provided a spark for Argentina's senior team.

Argentina lost to the Czech Republic and then suffered a late collapse against Angola to fall 59-58 and bow out of the tournament.

Before the game against the Africans, she spoke to FIBA.com.

FIBA: Sthefany, you play college basketball in America?
Sthefany Thomas: Yes, I play for Clemson University.

FIBA: Sthefany, tell us what your connection is to Argentina basketball.
Sthefany Thomas: My mother's Argentinian and my (American) father played in Argentina and that's how they met. So that's how I got to play for Argentina.

FIBA: What is home for you in the United States?
Sthefany Thomas: Tampa, Florida, is where my parents moved before I went into the seventh grade.

FIBA: When did you first find out you had a chance to play for Argentina?
Sthefany Thomas: Two year ago. I was 17 and I played with the under-18 team and in an international tournament in Slovakia.

FIBA: So what has playing internationally done for your game?
Sthefany Thomas: It's just a different experience, another level. You get stronger, get to grow as a player. The experience is great. You just get to see other types of basketball, different types of players you can learn from. I just try to take everything in and grow as a player.

FIBA: How do you like going back to Argentina?
Sthefany Thomas: I love it. That's where I grew up, so going back to see my friends, my grandparents and family, to experience such a different culture, it's a great experience.

FIBA: Did you grow up speaking both Spanish and English?
Sthefany Thomas: Yes, I'm bilingual.

FIBA: What do you like to do when you aren't playing basketball?
Sthefany Thomas: Just listen to music and work on my game. If I'm not lifting weights, I'm going to class. I'm just a regular college student.

FIBA