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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
IndyStar
December 9, 2007
Circle City Classic Challenge of Champions notebook
Today, Ohio State; tomorrow?
FW Luers' Thomas commits early to Buckeyes but sounds like he's still looking
The state's top-ranked sophomore is headed to Ohio State.
He's pretty sure. At least right now. But maybe he'll look at some other schools, just to see what else is out there.
DeShaun Thomas, the 6-7 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers star who has been compared to LeBron James, tried to explain where his recruitment stands after his 20-point, 10-rebound performance in Saturday's 69-53 loss to Howe at the Circle City Classic Challenge of Champions at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Thomas made an oral commitment to Ohio State and coach Thad Matta in June but since has softened his stance at times. Other times, he's sounded definitive.
"I like Ohio State," he said. "That's my school right now, but I like looking at other schools. I'll probably take other visits sometime. I don't know when.
"I want to see what else is out there. You know, Duke, North Carolina and all that."
Thomas has offers from Ohio State, Indiana University and Purdue but said he does not have offers from Duke and North Carolina.
"I don't want to be that far away from home, like a two- or three-hour drive, like Ohio State," he said with a laugh.
He said he noticed how former Lawrence North stars Greg Oden and Mike Conley went to the NBA as the Nos. 1 and 4 picks, respectively, after a freshman year at Ohio State.
"Those are good players," he said. "They picked a great school. As they go on, kids are looking forward to going to Ohio State, like guys in my age group. Some good players are looking forward to going to Ohio State, some top players in the rankings. It's going to be pretty nice."
Thomas is ranked No. 3 in the nation in the sophomore class by rivals.com. Two other top-10 sophomores, No. 8 Jared Sullinger and No. 10 Trae Golden, have committed to Ohio State.
Continued....
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OHSportsFan
Fan of Ohio Sports in Indy
True to some extent. His teammates aren't complete scrubs. They've got some skills, but struggled to finish some easy buckets around the hoop and definitely didn't have an outside game working for them (2-14 3pt, 31% overall). Leurs needed a big performance out of Thomas and he, along with his team, struggled against a MUCH smaller, quicker team. Howe, featuring star guard Larry Stone (5'9", IUPUI), is an IPS school that will make a run at state.
First impression of DeShaun- "this kid's a sophomore?!" He passes the look test to say the least. Very LeBron-esque in that he is larger than the competition. He's got a big body, not as muscular as LeBron, but that's not a knock on Thomas at all. Could use some definition, but heck the kid's only what 15, 16 years old?
DeShaun is very left-handed. Overall, his dribbling skills are impressive for a 6'7 sophomore, but he's not the guy to handle the ball on every possession. He showed good moves when trying to attack the hoop from the top of the key after it seemed the offense started to breakdown. He had a good spin move back to his left-hand and finished with a fingerroll in the lane. Passing skills- not applicable. He didn't really display them, so I'm not sure. I'll just say, I don't think he's going to be a PG, or have the basketball IQ/vision of LeBron. He's a 6'7"/6'8" forward with a good frame and the ability to go outside a little.
He got frustrated early after a few inside looks didn't fall and Howe began to pull away with some steals and easy lay-ins/dunks. After the inside game wasn't working, he looked to take his game outside, where he continued to struggle. He missed his first 9 shots, including I think 4 threes. He was able to get his shot off well after creating some space with a quick jab step or two, impressive for a kid his size. He likes his pull back J, which he tended to fade away from too much on some attempts. Good rotation and release, imo...his shots just weren't falling yesterday. His previous stats show that he has the ability to score in many different ways, but his jumper was not one of them in this particular game. 1-5 on threes, 7-19 total.
Where he did the majority of his damage was late in the game when he finally started to assert himself on the boards more. He got quite a few putbacks in the 4th quarter. Very soft touch around the rim and even a little further out in the lane. It's easy for him at this level to get some boards and go right back up for an easy lay-in, even when getting mauled by double/triple teams. He doesn't get up and down the court as fast as I thought he would. He looked tired from the high-pressure opponent. Still, this is an athletic KID. He's a sophomore and he was playing a very very tough, quick, and athletic team.
He ended the game with 20 pts and 10 boards, an impressive statline. #1 prospect for '10? I haven't seen any other recruits, so I'm really not in a position to say. Just looking at some physical skills and his overall game though, he has to be up there. I found him to be one of the most impressive looking kids (let alone sophomores) in an event full of D-1 prospects and the state's best teams... and that's even after a game that I'm sure wasn't his best. I'm very excited to see how he develops the rest of his HS career and can't wait for him to don the scarlet and gray
.Oh yeah...He did finish the game with a NICE highlight jam, much like the one featured in his youtube/scouting video. A guard got the steal in the final seconds and DeShaun finished with a sweet one-handed jam off the backboard as the buzzer went off. The kid's got some hops.
I might be forgetting some thoughts...it was a LONG day...I sat and watched around 11 straight hours of basketball (for only 12 bucks!). I'll take any questions and see what I can do. edit- I'll also try to get some thoughts in other prospects threads, though they won't be as extensive...I think Van Trese is the only other prospect that was close to OSU that played, since Offutt was out.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Rivals.com$ (Brian Snow)
At the Circle City Challenge of Champions in Indianapolis this past weekend, Thomas scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a loss that was described as below average for Thomas. As far as recruiting goes....Thomas wants to stay close to home but is keeping his options open in spite of the fact he kept calling Coach Groce his "college coach"
At the Circle City Challenge of Champions in Indianapolis this past weekend, Thomas scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a loss that was described as below average for Thomas. As far as recruiting goes....Thomas wants to stay close to home but is keeping his options open in spite of the fact he kept calling Coach Groce his "college coach"
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Rivals.com$ (Brian Snow)
Q/A with Thomas.....nothing earth shattering.....continues to dodge the committment question. Calls tOSU his "main" school and may take some visits to UNC and Duke. Wants to be close to home.
Q/A with Thomas.....nothing earth shattering.....continues to dodge the committment question. Calls tOSU his "main" school and may take some visits to UNC and Duke. Wants to be close to home.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Scout.com$
More of the same from the previous updates. Ohio State is his main school but he states he will look around. Mentions Indiana but is not that high on the hoosiers.
More of the same from the previous updates. Ohio State is his main school but he states he will look around. Mentions Indiana but is not that high on the hoosiers.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Link
Link
Link
Thomas Nets 32 In Luers' Blasting Of Woodlan
YouNewsTV?
Story Published: Dec 18, 2007 at 1:24 AM EST
Story Updated: Dec 18, 2007 at 1:48 AM EST
By Dean Pantazi
Watch the story
(Fort Wayne) - DeShaun Thomas had six three pointers and scored 32 points to lead Bishop Luers Past Woodlan 69-48 Monday night in a game postponed from November because of Luers' state championship football run.
Jason Spindler topped the Warriors with 17 points.
For highlights, click on the video icon above.
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BGriffBuckeye
Haaaang on Sloopy, Sloopy Hang on!! O.. H.. I.. O.
I guess that first game was fluke, obviously... WOW!! He's special.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Link
Photos by Laura J. Gardner | The Journal Gazette
Bishop Luers? DeShaun Thomas, defended by two Bishop Dwenger players, scored 35 points Friday.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Link
No Upsets On Day Two Of SAC Tournament; Scores And Saturday Schedule
Story Published: Dec 29, 2007 at 12:54 AM EST
Story Updated: Dec 29, 2007 at 12:54 AM EST
By Tommy Schoegler
(Fort Wayne)- There weren't any upsets but almost ever game of day 2 of the SAC Holiday Tourney was close. One of those games was with the top seeded boys team, Luers. The Knights battled with Northrop down to the wire before finally coming out on top. Deshaun Thomas has 32 in the win. To see all the of highlights of day 2, plus highlights from other Friday night games, click on the video link.
Continued.....
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