COLUMBIA, S.C. – Cal women's basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb was repeatedly yelling out a play to point guard Asha Thomas during the Bears' quarterfinal game against Washington in the Pac-12 Tournament earlier this month, but simply couldn't communicate it to her because of the noise at KeyArena in Seattle.

"I just said, 'Forget it. Run what you want'," Gottlieb said. "I can trust her to do what she wants."

Of course, the play worked.

Never in her career at Cal has Thomas been more in control of the Golden Bears' fortunes on the court. Whether it be her increased scoring, unselfish approach or calm leadership, Thomas is an integral reason Cal finds itself as the No. 7 seed in the Albany Region of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

"With regularity, opposing coaches have commented on how well she is playing," Gottlieb said. "She is respected around the conference. They game plan around Kristine (Anigwe), but they've commented on what a leader she's become and how crucial she has been for us. She has the ability to control the game; not to have the game control her."

Thomas averaged 8.6 points per game during her first two seasons at Cal but has assumed more of a scoring load as a junior, especially during the second half of the season. Thomas is averaging 17.6 points over the past eight games and has led the Bears (or shared the lead) in scoring in five of the past seven contests. She is averaging 12.7 points per game for the season.
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"She's always been a dominant scorer. People are just noticing it now," teammate Mikayla Cowling said. "'She can't be stopped. She's always had it in her. It's just coming out now."

But perhaps more important than Thomas' increased on-court productivity is the way she carries herself – as a leader, teammate and person. A self-proclaimed "observer," Thomas approaches life and basketball with a profound sense of calm – measuring any situation she encounters before acting while always maintaining a deep sense of appreciation for what she has.

"Of all the young people I've been around, I'm not sure there is someone more thoughtful, balanced and equanimous," Gottlieb said. "She's not easily rattled. She listens before she speaks and watches before she acts. She likes taking in a scene before jumping in and inserting herself.

"From Day One, she was wise beyond her years. She's likeable, coachable, respectful and appreciative. As she has gone through her college career, she has soaked in every experience, and that has made her able to step back a little bit and understand the experience she is getting at Cal."

Thomas' urge to observe helps her as a point guard, giving her the ability to size up situations and make the right decisions for her team.

"I'm a pass-first point guard, so really observing the court, knowing when to pass the ball to my teammates, is really important," Thomas said. "Being observant is definitely a part of my basketball skillset."

Thomas says she has always been especially observant, but her college experience at Cal has augmented it even more.

"I think college really made me pay attention to that," Thomas said. "That's with everything I do. I like to know what I'm getting into. I'm curious before I get myself into it. It could be a relationship. It could be schoolwork. I want to be prepared in some sense before I actually go into it."

Perhaps not surprisingly, Thomas' inclination for observance also gives her an extra sense of appreciation as she negotiates her day-to-day life. Thomas' tendency to take her time, evaluate every situation and give it some critical thought allows her to appreciate things for what they are.

"She studies people around her, and absorbs what's around her," Thomas' mom, Loretta, said. "I feel that helps her make wise choices. She was like that as a baby. She didn't go to everybody. If someone reached for her, she would look and observe them."

Thomas has spent almost every day for almost three years at Haas Pavilion, but even last week as she sat in the stands halfway up Section 26, she marveled at where life had taken her so far.

"I never thought I would be at Cal," Thomas said. "Just to be able to say I will be an alum from Cal and the many opportunities that have been given to me and I have taken advantage of – it's just exciting."

Of course, being an alum will have to wait. Thomas is just finishing up her junior season, and she hopes that finish line doesn't come anytime soon. The Bears open the NCAA Tournament on Friday against 10^th-seeded Virginia at the University of South Carolina.

"I've never been so excited to be a leader," Thomas said. "I have a group that is willing to do anything for their team. I'm enjoying it more and more, and I think this team is having fun with it.