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F DeShaun "The Diesel" Thomas (Panathinaikos - Greece)

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Published: April 14, 2009
Thomas wins 2nd Gooden Award
Michael RothsteinThe Journal Gazette

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Laura J. Gardner | The Journal Gazette

Bishop Luers junior Deshaun Thomas receives the Tiffany Gooden Award from Gooden on Monday. Thomas also won the award last year.


Almost daily, Deshaun Thomas hears the pleas, and they aren?t even from Indiana coach Tom Crean.

They come from teachers and friends, from strangers and students. Please, they say, stay in Indiana. Play for the Hoosiers.

?It?s an every-day thing,? Thomas said. ?It?s ?Are you going to transfer? Are you going to go to IU? Why Ohio State?? I told everybody it?s what?s best for me.

?It?s a lot of pressure, but I stay in my books, not worry about it too much. I?m only a junior, I got one more year and then just worry about it next year.?

Thomas collected his second consecutive Tiffany Gooden Award, given to the best boys or girls basketball player in the Summit Athletic Conference, at a banquet co-sponsored by The Journal Gazette and U.S. Cellular on Monday.

He says it is easy to answer everyone?s questions.

Yes, he?s still going to play for Ohio State. No, he?s not leaving Fort Wayne his senior year for Oak Hill or any other prep school. Instead, he?ll focus on trying to win three state titles in a row at Bishop Luers, trying to become an All-American and becoming the first player since the inception of the Gooden Award to win it three times.

?It was never a thought,? Thomas said of leaving for a prep school. ?It was just a rumor going around. This is Indiana. This is where my family is at. Putting Indiana on the map, this is home to me right here, right now. I?m here. I?m not going nowhere. I?m staying at Bishop Luers.?
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Thomas wins 2nd Gooden Award | The Journal Gazette
 
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DeShaun Thomas sticks with Buckeyes
? By Ryan Gregg | Saturday, May 16, 2009

Fort Wayne?s (Bishop Luers) DeShaun Thomas reaffirmed his commitment to play for Thad Matta and the Ohio State Buckeyes moments ago.

Thomas told reporters the Buckeyes had been recruiting him since about the eighth grade.

?I like the teachers, the campus and I like coach Thad Matta,? Thomas said. ? ? See if we can?t get a National Championshiup my freshman year.?

Since committing about two years, many rumors have swirled around whether Thomas would make good on his word.

?I really don?t worry about it,? Thomas said of the rumors. ?They see me at an IU game, or they see coach Crean speaking at our school or whatever and then they are, ?Oh, he?s decommitting.? But, you know, I am just there learning.??
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DeShaun Thomas sticks with Buckeyes | The Hoosier Scoop: Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball, Football, and more

UPDATE: 12:20 p.m. - Deshaun Thomas confirmed his commitment to Ohio State after his team's morning game at Assembly Hall. There had been rumors that the 6-7 Thomas had opened up his recruiting again and was considering Indiana. The Fort Wayne Luers senior-to-be said he had been taking calls from other coaches, but has recently been telling them his pledge to Ohio State is solid.

Not that it keeps the other coaches from contacting him.

"I was kind of thinking (I might open it up), but (Ohio State coach) Thad Matta built a team around me and that's what I want," said Thomas, who has 2,254 career points and could break Damon Bailey's state scoring record next year. "I'll go there with Jared Sullinger and we'll win a national championship our freshman year.

"I tell other coaches I'm sticking with Ohio State. That's where I'm going."

Thomas said he's looking to improve his ball-handling and shot off the dribble this summer.
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http://blogs.indystar.com/preps/archives/2009/05/saturday_from_a.html
 
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Thomas is going to be a buckeye!!! There is no reason to worry...

BTW his game continues to develop...I got a good report on him over this past weekend...If he comes in with the plan of being here more than one year, and develops his game, he is going to be very good here...Matta will put some structure to his game get him in the ball in the 15 foot range, and let him shoot from deep and also get himin the post, and coming off the curl screens...
 
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A bright spot late in the second half for the juniors was the play of Bishop Luers' Deshaun Thomas.

Thomas hit a three-pointer and began to assert himself on the boards, as he led the younger class with 15 points and five rebounds. The 6-7 forward, who had to sign multiple autographs following the game, has made a verbal commitment to play at Ohio State and is already excited about that prospect, despite it being 15 months away.

?(Ohio State) is getting some good players,? Thomas said. ?We plan on going there and work hard, win a national championship and get drafted (into the NBA).?
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Senior boys pull away from juniors in 2nd half | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN
 
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Published: June 17, 2009
What summer vacation?
Thomas, Byrd will travel to elite hoops camps
Greg JonesHigh school sports editor

Agenda
NBPA Top 100 Camp
When: Today-Saturday
Where: Charlottesville, Va.

Vince Carter Skills Academy
When: June 23-26
Where: Orlando, Fla.

LeBron James Skills Academy
When: July 5-9
Where: Akron, Ohio

Two future Big Ten basketball players, Bishop Luers? Deshaun Thomas and Blackhawk Christian?s Russell Byrd, will be putting their skills on display over the next month at some of the most prestigious basketball camps in the nation.
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?It is going to be a busy summer,? said Thomas, who will also fit in an invitation to play at the famed Rucker Park in Harlem. ?I am just out here to compete and that?s what I have to do. I am just ready to have fun, play ball and get better.?


Thomas is ranked No. 14 in Rivals.com?s Top 100 players in the class of 2010, while Byrd is at No. 78. The NBPA camp also includes Brandon Knight (No. 1), Harrison Barnes (No. 2), Jared Sullinger (No. 3) and Tristian Thompson (No. 4), among others.


Thomas was the state?s leading scorer last season with 30.2 points and helped the Knights to a second straight Class 2A state championship. With 2,254 career points, Thomas is 880 away from Damon Bailey?s all-time mark of 3,134.


?I just want to bring my ?A? game and get my rep up there and just get ready for college competition,? Thomas said.
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What summer vacation_ | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.
 
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Originally Published: June 29, 2009
Richmond, Thomas star at skills camp
By Paul Biancardi
Scouts Inc.

ORLANDO -- Nike's Vince Carter Skills Academy was held in Orlando this past weekend. The nation's top small forwards in the high school ranks got together to work on their skills and compete. The basketball drills, skills and teaching was under the tutelage of Kevin Eastman, an assistant coach of the Boston Celtics. (Kudos also go to Nike Director of Scouting Vince Baldwin who assembled the rosters.) This was a remarkable camp to learn from the best and compete against the best! The highlight of the camp was the participation of Vince Carter. The NBA All-Star took a hands-on approach in teaching and instructing. Carter, through his work with the kids, his words and his attitude, sent the correct message about what it takes to become an elite player. His instruction made a huge difference in the lives of all the players as they aspire to get to his level. Some day Carter would make a great coach. College programs look for players with diverse skill sets and talents to man the small forward position; it usually is the position that most impacts the game besides point guard. The small forward can contribute in so many ways at both ends of the floor. Teams depend on small forwards to assist the guards in ballhandling and playmaking duties -- this is especially true with forwards handling the ball more, giving rise to the point-forward slot. This position allows the small forward to initiate the offense when needed. Defensively, the small forward is valuable as he can "lock down" one player or be involved in team defensive schemes that involve switching. He also should rebound at both ends unless given a specific reason not to by the coach.

Small forwards have to excel at shooting from the perimeter, scoring in the paint and rebounding on both ends of the court. They also need to have the ability to apply intense defensive pressure on the perimeter and occasionally to provide a defensive presence in the paint.

Successful players at the small forward spot need height and strength comparable to many interior players as well as the quickness of a guard. Oftentimes, the player who a team decides to slot at small forward has more natural athletic ability than any other player on the team.

Undoubtedly, the top high school small forward prospects take notice of the college programs that develop their small forwards for the NBA and allow them the freedom to display their versatility on the national stage when they are ready. Here's a look at the top small forward prospects from this weekend's Vince Carter Skills Academy.


Best scorers

The best scorers from the small forward slot have tremendously versatile offensive games. They have the ability to shoot from the perimeter with the same range and consistency as guards. However, a small forward who can score the ball also will score in the paint by using the dribble to penetrate past defenders or by posting up smaller, weaker opposition.

1. DeShaun Thomas, 2010, (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers), committed to Ohio State This lefty plays the game with a high motor -- especially on the offensive end of the floor -- and strong effort. His ability to knock down 3s sets the table for the rest of his game. In transition he hits the long-range jumper trailing the break, setting a ball screen or spotting up with confidence. He is a monster in the paint when he gets close to the basket, scoring over his right shoulder with his left hand. This young man is a hard worker. To complete his offensive skills, we'd love to see him work on his weak-hand drive and pull-up jumpers.
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Jereme Richmond and DeShaun Thomas were among the elite small forwards who participated in the Vince Carter Skills Academy - ESPN
 
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