You think it is remarkable that Michelle picked Thomas for the first team AA. I find it remarkable that you find it remarkable. Let me give you a few facts why Thomas should be a repeat first team AA again this year.
Alyssa Thomas stats are 17.4 ppg, 44.6 FG%, 10.4 rbpg, 5.2 apg, 2 spg, According to Debbie Antonelli, who did the research, Thomas is the only player going back to the 1999-2000 season in college basketball that has average over 15 ppg, 10 rbpg, and 5 apg in a year.
Thomas is playing on a team that had their two starting guards taken out for the season with acl's in the beginning of the year. Thus, Thomas took over much of the PG responsibilities. They call her a point forward. She is more versatile than any of the players being considered for first team AA. She can play any position on the team including center.
She is the main reason why MD has stayed in the top ten all year. If you take her out of the team, MD would not be in the top 50 teams in the NCAA. And don't forget how she is double teamed in every game.
Regarding Thomas' poorer play in the beginning of the season, she had her tonsils taken out in September and missed two months of practice before the season started. Shortly after this she dislocated her finger on her shooting hand which caused her poor shooting percentage and ball handling problems in the beginning of the year. Through it all she just played on with tapped fingers most of the time and tried the best she could. However, it did affect her game early on.