Calipari, Ark. add 2nd top-10 recruit for ’25

Jeff Borzello Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Staff Author Basketball recruiting insider. Joined ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.Paul Biancardi Close Paul Biancardi Basketball Recruiting National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com 18 years of coaching experience at Department I

level Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State Nov 11, 2024, 08:42 PM

the country with several top-10 devotes already in the fold, with Thomas, No. 9 in the ESPN 100 and the No. 2 shooting guard, joining Darius Acuff (No. 8/No.1

point guard). Thomas picked the Razorbacks over hometown Pittsburgh, while UConn likewise had actually formerly hired Thomas and was on his last list.”Everybody I talked to was so favorable on Coach Cal,” Thomas informed ESPN. “He has actually touched many lives with his guys becoming NBA players therefore lots of others. He and the staff stayed in contact with both me and my family the entire time. I approve family, and Coach Cal is a warm-hearted individual who constructed a great relationship with both me and my household. “Editor’s Picks 2 Related Arkansas made a strong push down the stretch of Thomas’ recruitment to end up being the clear leader, with the Razorbacks’ new system a crucial factor in his decision. “Their play style was a separating element,”Thomas stated.”Coach Cal holds himself liable and his players accountable. I am the type that needs to know the reality so I can find out and grow. They will have a lot of guys who can score, and

I am comfortable being available in and playing defense immediately.” The crowds and energy for the program is interesting, and I wish to be part of it.”Thomas is a 6-foot-4 guard from Pittsburgh who is presently playing in the Overtime Elite program. He was among the leading scorers on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring, ranking ninth with 20.3 points per game. He also averaged 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 helps, shooting simply under 34%from 3-point variety. In six games with the New Heights Lightning at the Nike Peach Jam in July, he averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 helps while shooting better than 37%from 3. Thomas has a scorer’s mindset but also is capable of developing prompt helps. He has a thin frame with decent quickness and speed, and is particularly efficient in transition, either leading the break or completing the play. He is aggressive but positive with the ball in his hands, not rushing to get to his spot on the floor. Thomas can play both guard positions and has actually made strides running in ball-screen situations.Arkansas now has two of the elite guards in the 2025 class, with Thomas signing up with forces with Acuff in Fayetteville. Acuff, the top-ranked point player in the country, committed to the Razorbacks in July. The 2 of them are enough to put Arkansas near the top of the 2025 recruiting class rankings, however the Razorbacks likewise are making a strong push for No. 5-ranked possibility Caleb Wilson.