'11 OH G/SF Aaron Thomas (Florida State Verbal)

[Buckskin86]

Small forward
Cincinnati (OH) Aiken
AAU: Queen City Prophets

Ht: 6-foot-5
Wt: 175 lbs
Class: 2011 (High School)


Rivals.com

Indiana target in 2011
? By Hugh Kellenberger | Friday, July 10, 2009

Aaron Thomas is excited. Really excited.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound guard from Cincinnati (Ohio) Western Hills is one of the early success stories of the July AAU recruiting season.

Thomas, playing at the Kentucky Hoopfest for the Queen City Prophets, said Indiana coach Tom Crean called Thomas? AAU coach after a game earlier this week at the Adidas It Takes 5ive Classic and said the Hoosiers were interested in the junior guard.

?I am happy that coaches are able to come out and look at me,? Thomas said. ?At first, colleges were coming and looking at me like that.

?I stepped my game up. Probably because I worked hard. They?re coming out, so I have to work hard and show them I can play.?

Thomas led his team to a 86-57 win Friday morning with a game-best 17 points. He shot the ball well from outside and also drove the lane. He?s a really athletic kid that is able to make plays defensively ? he blocked one shot from behind, and another from the side. Both times he was making up for a teammate?s defensive mistake.

?I had to entertain the crowd,? Thomas said.

A host of other schools are interested, including Xavier, West Virginia, Michigan, Cincinnati, Ohio State and Akron. The Zips are the only school to offer, but Thomas joked that the others are ?this-close away? while holding his fingers together.

He visited Xavier, Michigan and West Virginia?s elite camp, but said he is wide-open.

A new Indiana target in 2011 | The Hoosier Scoop: Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball, Football, and more

Hoosiers eyeing Cincinnati player

There's a new name on the radar for Indiana University fans.
It's still early in the recruiting process, but Indiana coach Tom Crean and his staff have begun courting Cincinnati Western Hills high-scoring guard Aaron Thomas.

The 6-4 Thomas is playing with the Queen City Prophets in the HoopFest.
"(IU) has called, and they are very interested in getting to know me," Thomas said. "I know a little bit about there right now, but not a lot. It's still early."

Thomas, who averaged 15 points a game as a sophomore, said Xavier has been showing the most interest. He's also heard from Ohio State and Cincinnati.

Stock rising for local players Hicks, Baker | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

 

[Buckskin86]

2011 wing Aaron Thomas high on the Hoosiers
by Alex Bozich in Recruiting | April 15th, 2010

Schools looking for a big-time scorer in the 2011 class are beginning to take notice of Cincinnati Aiken?s Aaron Thomas.

Thomas, a 6-4, 185-pound wing, was named the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a junior as he averaged 22.1 points per game.

He shot over 56 percent from the field, 82 percent from the foul line and had four games with more than 30 points. Aiken finished the season 14-8.

?My high school season went well,? Thomas told Inside the Hall. ?I was second in the city in scoring, but we lost in the second round and didn?t go as far as we did last year.?

The Indiana coaching staff began to take interest in Thomas last summer as he suited up for the Queen City Prophets and the interest has continued to blossom from both sides.

While Thomas didn?t get a chance to visit Assembly Hall last season, he did visit Bloomington last fall for a football game.

?I?m pretty high on them,? he said of Indiana. ?Coach Tom Crean has history. He taught Dwyane Wade. And basketball?s the biggest sport in Indiana. I?d like to be a part of that.?

Thomas noted that he hears mostly from Crean himself and is also being recruited by West Virginia, Michigan, Cincinnati, Louisville and Ohio State.

He does not, however, have a timetable for a decision.

2011 wing Aaron Thomas high on the Hoosiers | Inside the Hall | An Indiana Hoosiers basketball blog

 

[buckeydoptimist]

That's a fairly good list for a kid that isn't regarded that highly nationally.

But I highly doubt he has offers from them ( maybe IU and Cincy at most ). I'd be surprised if LVL or WV or OSU ever offer him.

 

[Buckskin86]

adidas May Classic video: Aaron Thomas
by Alex Bozich in Video | May 15th, 2010

2011 forward Aaron Thomas, who said on Saturday that he has been offered a scholarship by Indiana, met with the media following a pool play game at Assembly Hall. The 6-5 Thomas, who averaged over 22 points during his junior season at Cincinnati Aiken, is playing this spring and summer with the Queen City Prophets:

adidas May Classic video: Aaron Thomas | Inside the Hall | An Indiana Hoosiers basketball blog

 

[LitlBuck]

I guess he doesn't pass the look test for Matta . It is really very interesting how many Big Ten coaches coming to Ohio and take players while Thad seems to go the other way with some exceptions.

 

[MaxBuck]

I guess he doesn't pass the look test for Matta . It is really very interesting how many Big Ten coaches coming to Ohio and take players while Thad seems to go the other way with some exceptions.

Matta has recruited more Ohio players than non-Ohio players, so I'm not at all clear where you're going with this. Certainly we can none of us complain about the quality of his recruiting.

 

[LitlBuck]

Matta has recruited more Ohio players than non-Ohio players, so I'm not at all clear where you're going with this. Certainly we can none of us complain about the quality of his recruiting.

You either like me so much you can't stay away from my post or you are just very disagreeable with me. Try counting the transfers on the rosters also since Thad has been here and it is very very close for The Ohio State University. Maybe I should just put you on my ignore list again:)

 

[MaxBuck]

You either like me so much you can't stay away from my post or you are just very disagreeable with me. Try counting the transfers on the rosters also since Thad has been here and it is very very close for The Ohio State University. Maybe I should just put you on my ignore list again:)

Whatever, dude. I just can't figure out what point you're trying to make - our squad comprises mostly Ohio players, and our starting five next year is all likely to be Buckeye natives.

Back to Thomas - probably this kid doesn't fit a position that Matta sees as being a need for 2011, or else the talent isn't perceived to be at a sufficient level (not slamming the kid, as I just don't know).

 

[wadc45]

BuckeyeGrove.com - Orlando: Hairston stands out

Other Notable Performances

Aaron Thomas - After having a huge game earlier in the tournament, Thomas has been a popular target amongst head coaches trying to evaluate him. Once again Thomas showed on Tuesday that he can flat out get buckets. Even though his perimeter shot wasn't going, Thomas showed off of his improved handle and good athleticism finishing around the rim, and also his length makes him a surprisingly good rebounder. He needs to be more assertive all the time, and not just in stretches, but it was a solid day for him.

BuckeyeGrove.com - Super Showcase: Thomas puts on a show

Showcasing his skills

It had already been an impressive summer for Aaron Thomas, but the Queen City Prophets star took his game to a new level on Saturday with his two performances. Playing in a loaded pool, Queen City knew they would be challenged, and Thomas felt it was his time to step up.

In Thomas' morning game against the New York Gauchos he was hot from the field, and used his improved ability to handle the ball to get to the rim at will. Not only did Thomas get going and make an impact scoring, but he also fouled out Omar Calhoun who really struggled to guard him. The Gauchos won the game and that kind of over shadowed Thomas' performance, but the best was yet to come.

In an evening game against an absolutely loaded Georgia Blazers squad, Thomas was simply unconscious. Going against five-star shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell, Thomas took the challenge and simply went to work, and quite honestly there was nothing Caldwell could do to stop him.

At near 6-foot-5 with long arms and a high release, it is tough to contest Thomas' shot, and quite honestly it didn't matter if someone was contesting. Thomas was simply in the zone. In the first half he didn't even miss on his way to 21 points, and they came from three, off the dribble, and at the foul line.

Then he didn't really cool off in the second half. He did miss a few shots, but still he didn't slow down very much. Going into the fourth quarter Thomas was 12-13 shooting from the floor for a total of 34 points. He would get another four points in the fourth quarter to finish with a game high of 38, and had coaches shaking their heads with his performance.

Queen City got the win, and to do so they needed more than just a performance from Thomas. Jalen Ragland and Charlie Byers also put in work. Byers hit big shots and scored going to the rim while Ragland was an absolute marksman from deep. Those two did enough to complement Thomas to help Queen City come home with a five point win.

 

[Buckskin86]

Sunday, August 1, 2010
Thomas Becoming a Big Name

Aaron Thomas (6'4/2011) of Cincinnati Aiken has plenty of interest. Thomas is arguably one of the two best prospects in Ohio alongside Jakarr Sampson.

Thomas is getting serious interest from Clemson, Purdue, Iowa, and Duquesne.

OHSH recognized Ohio State and Cincinnati starting to take a look at the scoring machine, Thomas.

Ohio High School Hoops: Thomas Becoming a Big Name

 

[Buckskin86]

Monday, August 16, 2010
Thomas Changing Addresses

According to a source close to the situation, Aaron Thomas (6'4/2011) formerly of Cincinnati Aiken has tranferred to Cincinnati Withrow.

Thomas averaged 21.9 points per game as junior for Aiken earning him 2nd Team All-Southwest District.

Thomas, who is one of Ohio's top prospects, is getting interest from Clemson, Purdue, Duquesne, Iowa, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Louisville, Nebraska, UTEP, Florida State, Georgia, and Arkansas.

At this point, Thomas is wide open listing nary a favorite.

Ohio High School Hoops: Thomas Changing Addresses

 

[Buckskin86]

Friday, August 20, 2010
Thomas Sets Top 5

Aaron Thomas (6'5/2011) of Cincinnati Withrow has narrowed his list down to 5. Thomas lists Florida State, Clemson, Purdue, Nebraska, and Cincinnati.

Ohio High School Hoops: Thomas Sets Top 5

 

[wadc45]

Withrow forward considering UC | cincinnati.com

Cincinnati.Com ****> High School
Updated: 2:36 pm | September 20, 2010

Withrow senior forward Aaron Thomas was to make an official visit with UC over the weekend, according to Withrow basketball coach Tyrone Gibert.

Thomas, who is 6-foot-5, was the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference player of the year last season.

Thomas, an Enquirer Division I first-team all-area selection, averaged 21.4 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Aiken junior shooting guard William Moore recently picked up a scholarship offer from James Madison, according to Aiken coach Leon Ellison.

 

[OhioState001]

Scout Free: No.72 Headed to FSU

9/22

Committed to Florida State

 

[Buckskin86]

Thomas, the No. 13 shooting guard in the Class of 2011 from Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow, decided to take a postgrad year at Brewster. The major surprise in this is that Thomas signed with Florida State for 2011.

?I?m going to prep school because my family and I believe I need to get my grades up and mature before I go off to college,? he stated. ?My coach knows Coach Smith and I know some of their players so that?s how we connected.?

As for whether or not he will remain a Seminole, Thomas is committed? for now.

?Right now, I?m still with Florida State,? he said by phone Wednesday night. ?I don?t know what?s going to happen in the future though.?

http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/06/30/warren-to-brewster-recruiting-roundup/