2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® Release
 
Bronx, N.Y. (December 3, 2014) – Fordham University senior guard Mandell Thomas was named a 2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® nominee it was announced today. Thomas is one of an all-time high of 257 NCAA I, II, II and NAIA men and women basketball student-athletes nominated for the prestigious community service award that recognizes a distinguished group of student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to enriching the lives of others and contributing to the greater good in their communities.
 
In its fourth year, the Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® recognize players at all levels of college basketball who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. From establishing nonprofits that provide youth with the necessary tools to become leaders of tomorrow, to raising awareness around pertinent issues that could save lives, these student-athletes exhibit leadership skills both on and off the court.

"The 2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® nominees are truly inspirational and their stories of service are a great example of the impact young people can make by dedicating their time and energy to do good," said Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2016 NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® selection panels. "For the fourth year, Allstate is honored to join the NABC and WBCA to recognize these student-athletes for their leadership off the court to help make a difference."
 

The 154 NABC nominees and the 103 WBCA nominees were submitted by sports information directors and college basketball coaches across the country. From the nominations, special voting panels, headlined by former Duke University basketball athlete, two-time NCAA® champion and seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill, and former University of Tennessee basketball athlete, NCAA champion and WNBA legend Tamika Catchings, will select two 10-member teams comprised of five student-athletes from the NCAA Division I level and five student-athletes from Divisions II, III and the NAIA. The final roster of 20 award recipients will be unveiled in February.

"The Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® is a nationally recognized award that continues to honor an impressive group of student-athletes who strive to better our society through service efforts. The WBCA family of coaches celebrates all the women's and men's basketball student-athletes who demonstrate a respect for the power of sports coupled with the responsibility to give back to others," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The WBCA is proud to partner with Allstate and commends the recognition of these remarkable student-athletes for their significant humanitarian contributions."

Members of the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® will be invited by Allstate, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, to the 2016 NABC Convention and 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four® in Houston, where they will participate in a community service project benefitting the city. Members of the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® will be recognized during the 2016 WBCA Convention and at the 2016 NCAA Women's Final Four® in Indianapolis, and will also participate in a local volunteer project. Allstate is an official corporate partner of the NABC, WBCA and NCAA.

Thomas, a 2015-2016 team captain who was named to the Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Defensive Team, has been active in numerous community service projects with the men's basketball program. These projects range from participating in an annual toy drive for a local clinic to running at Katie's Run, a charity run to benefit The Katie McBride Foundation, to the Making Strides of Westchester, NY, breast cancer walk.
 
On the court, Thomas has been a leader, averaging a team-high 17.6 ppg so far this year and leading the squad with 12 steals. Over his career, Thomas has scored 1,152 points, good for 22nd on the Fordham career scoring list.
 
Since 2008, Allstate has partnered with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as a sponsor of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, which shines a spotlight on the positive, off-the-field impact college football student-athletes have on their communities.

More information about the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® and the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® is available at www.nabc.org and www.wbca.org.