(This story is one in a series profiling this year's inductees into the Greater Flint Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame.)

FLINT, MI – Stacey Thomas' uniform consists nowadays of vertical black and white stripes as an up-and-coming basketball referee, but there's a reason why the No. 11 is forever off limits for lady ballers at Flint Southwestern Academy.

Thomas' illustrious basketball career is the only explanation you need for SWA's gracious act.

The University of Michigan women's hoops record-holder and former WNBA champion excelled on every level. Her professional playing career ended in 2006, when she decided to retire from the sport.

Now, the 34-year-old is being inducted into this year's 29th annual Greater Flint Afro-American (Sports) Hall of Fame on March 24, 2013. Two years ago, she entered the 2011 Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame.

"It's an awesome feeling and it's kind of just like a testament to all of the support that I've had and all of the hard work that I've put in to achieve as much as I've achieved," Thomas said. "When you think of African-American as a title, starting off you usually think that the people are probably older and very mature individuals, so it does kind of make me seem older but it's very humbling and I'm thankful to be a part of such a prestigious award."

Thomas graduated from Southwestern in 1996 as a two-time All-State basketball player as well as a three-time state Class A high jump champion. As a senior, Thomas finished as the runner-up to Maxann Reese of Redford Bishop Borgess in Michigan's Miss Basketball voting after averaging 25 points, nine steals and five assists for the season.

Michigan's Stacey Thomas drives to the basket and draws a foul from Michigan State's Kristen Rasmussen Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1999, at Crisler Arena. Michigan beat Michigan State 76-75 in overtime.

At Michigan, Thomas competed briefly in track and field, deciding to focus more on basketball. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1997 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2000. Thomas was a two-time captain for the Wolverine and is currently ranked No. 5 on UM's all-time scoring list with 1,556 career points from 1996-2000. She also set a Big Ten Conference record with 372 career steals, which is the most in Wolverines history.

Thomas spent six seasons in the WNBA with the Portland Fire, Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury, Detroit Shock, Minnesota Lynx and Charlotte Sting. She won a WNBA title with the Shock in 2003. Thomas has spent the last five years as an official in Michigan. She referees girls high school basketball games in the Detroit area as well as women's junior college and NCAA Division III matchups throughout the state.

The adjustment from playing to officiating was smooth for Thomas. The biggest difference was being able to slow things down mentally.

"I didn't realize how much I would enjoy it until I just gave it a try at one point," Thomas said. "As a player, we always talk about being quick and picking up the pace to play up-tempo, but on the flip side as an official it's kind of reversed. You want to be calm and kind of slow things down to see things slower so that probably was like the biggest adjustment."

Thomas' passion for officiating started off by working in little league games. She was introduced to the idea of becoming a referee by one of her college officials while still playing professionally. Initially, she dismissed the idea but decided to give it a go and enjoyed it. Although Thomas is no longer playing consistently, she still keeps tabs on her former high school and college teams but watches the sport from a different perspective than she once did in the past.

"It's funny because now when I do watch basketball I'm watching the referees," Thomas said with a laugh. "I get caught watching them to see what they're doing. I'm a basketball junkie so I can watch it, ref it and play it all day. I'm all over the place."

For tickets ($35) or more information on the annual ceremony dinner please contact Sylvester or Derenda Collins at (810) 732-4149.