Student-Athlete Spotlight Davaughna Thompson

For this week’s Student-Athlete Spotlight, we would like to recognize Sophomore Davaughna Thompson, from the Hartnell Women’s Basketball team. Davaughna grew up in Salinas and attended Salinas High School where she had great success; she received Principal's Honor Roll her senior year and reached two consecutive CCS final championship games in basketball. Outside of the team, Davaughna likes to cook; her favorite meal is shrimp alfredo. She also enjoys going on adventures and hikes. “Growing up Kobe Bryant was my favorite player, but then I started to realize I liked Kevin Durant’s style better; I feel like I play a lot like him and I try to imitate his moves,” expressed Davaughna. Basketball started at a young age for Davaughna; she started playing at the age six. “My parents have always been on my side no matter what,” said Davaughna, so, when she decided to come to Hartnell, it was a smooth transition. One of the reasons that drove Davaghna to come to Hartnell was Assistant Hartnell basketball coach Jim Rimando, “My freshman year in high school he thought I was a senior and was trying to recruit me! He finally convinced me to come to Hartnell, he has always been on my side, it’s been a long time now,” Davaughna explained. The 2016-2017 season was Davaughna’s first year at Hartnell but also her first time playing intercollegiate sports. At the same time, that season was also the first year at Hartnell for Head Coach Destiny Grijalva. “She loved me from the jump, she treats all her players like her kids and growing more with her made me realize I can really trust her, and I know her goal is to get me somewhere,” expressed Davaughna. This year Davaughna was named 2017-2018 team captain averaging 13.0 PPG, scoring her career high 34 points against MPC on Sophomore Night, winning Alumni MVP. Playing 22 out of 24 games this season was not easy as adversity has been taking on Davaughna since high school with multiple injuries that she had to overcome. She did not stop keeping her eye on the prize, as she is currently majoring in sociology and plans to transfer to CSUMB or San Jose State in the fall of 2018. “I can honestly still see myself playing somewhere, I love the game way too much,” she said and adds her favorite quote, “Don't start something you can’t finish.” We wish Davaughna the best. Go Panthers!!