Since the honor was first established in 1975, only five players* have been named to the Kodak All-America team each year of their collegiate career.

	LaToya Thomas has scored double-digits in all 121 of her college games.

Next month, we'll most likely add a sixth name as a four-time honoree: Mississippi State's LaToya Thomas.

Thomas, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, has led the SEC in scoring each of her first three seasons (joining players such as Chamique Holdsclaw and Wendy Scholtens in the accomplishment), and could become the first woman in SEC history to lead the league in scoring for four consecutive years. Thomas' 2,878 career points ranks third on the all-time SEC scoring chart and ninth on the NCAA career scoring list. She also tops eight categories among Mississippi State's career charts, including points and rebounds.

But while her individual accomplishments are impressive, Thomas should be most applauded for helping Mississippi State reach its highest ranking in program history. The Lady Bulldogs are No. 11 this week in the AP Top 25, and earned a first-round bye in the SEC tournament as the No. 4 seed. Simply put, Mississippi State is playing the best basketball I've ever seen.

Tan White also has been a big part of that success, elevating her game to a very elite level this season. But you can't overemphasize how important Thomas has been. She has been lighting it up since November, dropping in 42 points in the second game of 2002-03. Thomas has scored at least 13 points in every game this season, with 17 performances of at least 25 points. She has also posted three performances with at least 30 points in Mississippi State's last six games, all wins.

In fact, Thomas has scored in double-figures in every college game she's played (121), and notched 45 career double-doubles.

Thomas can score in traffic, on any part of the floor, and there's not a single player in the country who can match up with her. Later this month or in April when her college career is finished, Thomas is going to be an incredible pro. And if I was still coaching in the WNBA, she'd be my first pick.

Thomas doesn't get the recognition Diana Taurasi or Alana Beard get, but she's easily one of the top three players in the country. And if she gets hot in the NCAA Tournament, beware. Much like Sheryl Swoopes did with Texas Tech in 1993, or Jackie Stiles and Southwest Missouri State in 2001, Thomas can make a good team great.

That could make for an extended stay once the Madness begins. And I can't think of a better way for the very-deserving Thomas to close out her college career.

Editor's note: * Ann Meyers, Lynette Woodard, Cheryl Miller, Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings were each four-time Kodak All-Americans.

Nancy Lieberman, an ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com's women's basketball coverage. Contact her at www.nancylieberman.com.