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

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Lawrence North-Luers on TV

Lawrence North athletic director Grant Nesbit said this week that Lawrence North's Feb. 6 home game against two-time defending 2A champion Fort Wayne Bishop Luers will be televised by ESPNU.

Luers features 6-7 forward Deshaun Thomas, an Ohio State recruit who is considered one of the top high school players in the country.

Lawrence North defeated Luers 69-57 last season in the Circle City Classic at Southport.

Lawrence North will play Pike on Feb. 24 at Conseco Fieldhouse as part of a doubleheader that also will include Brownsburg versus North Central.
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Ankle might sit Carmel fullback | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
 
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Finally feeling right at home
After bouncing among relatives, Deshaun Thomas settles down for shot at scoring record
Greg JonesHigh school sports editor

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Photos by Cathie Rowand | The Journal Gazette
Bishop Luers basketball star Deshaun Thomas enjoys playing hoops ? of the video-game variety ? at home, too.

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Photos by Cathie Rowand | The Journal Gazette
Thomas has more than 200 pairs of basketball shoes in sizes 14 and 15.

Thomas on top?
All-time leading scorers in Indiana history:

1. Damon Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence (1990) ? 3,134

2. Marion Pierce, Lewisville (1961) ? 3,019

3. Brody Boyd, Union (2000) ? 2,632

4. Rick Mount, Lebanon (1966) ? 2,595

5. Billy Shepherd, Carmel (1968) ? 2,465

6. Alan Henderson, Brebeuf (1991) ? 2,419

7. Mike Edwards, Greenfield (1969) ? 2,343

8. Delray Brooks, Michigan City Rogers (1984) ? 2,324

9. Brady Adkins, Morristown (1992) ? 2,319

10. Anthony Winchester, Austin (2002) ? 2,256

11. Deshaun Thomas, Bishop Luers (2010) ? 2,254
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Life on the basketball court the past few years has been pretty good for Deshaun Thomas.

He scores at will, dominates the boards and has won two state championships. But after he leaves the court and the cheers die down, he goes home, where it hasn?t always been so easy.

Basketball has come a lot easier to the 6-foot-7 senior from Bishop Luers than a stable home life. He has bounced around, from his grandmother to his sister to a teammate. That all changed a couple of years ago when Thomas moved back in with his older sister, Altermise Jackson, and found the steadiness he had been craving outside basketball.

?It was pretty tough growing up,? Thomas said from the couch at his sister?s southeast Fort Wayne house. ?I didn?t really have my mom (Delores Jackson) there, but she is doing good. My father (Larry Thomas) was there, but he always worked. I just felt like I was by myself, and I was alone. I had my grandma and sister right there by my side, and it kept me strong. I am doing good things now.

?Moving from place to place when I was younger, and I was living with my grandma (Lady Mae Jackson), and my sister, and living with Lawrence (Barnett) my freshman and sophomore years, it has been kind of tough. I have been fighting through it, and I moved back with my sister my junior year, and my nephews are here, and they look up to me. My sister loves me a lot, and I know I can stay focused here with her and calm down and stay focused on my game.?
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Ohio State awaits
In less than a year, Thomas will be at Ohio State and playing college basketball for Thad Matta. All it means for the Thomas/Jackson family is taking the show on the road.

?It will be less work (for me) because he is spoiled,? Altermise Jackson said. ?I clean his room, and he doesn?t do anything. His room is just going to stay clean. We will miss him, but we will be going down there now.?

Matta started recruiting Thomas before high school and was at that first home game against the Archers.

?I am getting ready for what college will be like,? Thomas said. ?I know it won?t be easy because the Big Ten is strong. I am working out and playing in these high school games, so I will be ready for the Big Ten.?
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Finally feeling right at home | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

SAC boys: Everybody's watching Thomas
Bishop Luers senior Deshaun Thomas is ranked No. 18 in nation
By Tom Davis
of The News-Sentinel

By the numbers

2,254 career points (he needs 881 more points to break the all-time IHSAA scoring record held by Bedford North Lawrence's Damon Bailey).

27 games (that's how many games Bishop Luers has played in each of the previous two seasons).

32.6 How many points per game Thomas will have to average to break Bailey's record.

30.3 How many points per game Thomas averaged as a junior.

3 How many IHSAA Class 2A state championships the Knights will have won if they can ?three-peat? in March.
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It's a surreal world that Deshaun Thomas wakes up to every morning. It's a world that few can ever imagine entering. And it's a world that some who have ventured into don't embrace.

That would not include Deshaun.

?It's a lot of pressure,? Thomas said of being a renowned basketball player. ?But I love it. It keeps me focused and motivated.?

The 2010 Indiana Mr. Basketball candidate in many ways is a typical teenager. He wants to play video games, hang with his buddies, go on a date on Friday nights, and lead Bishop Luers to a third consecutive IHSAA Class 2A state championship. However, when the typical teenager heads to McDonald's with friends, he's not bothered for autographs, forced into conversations with strangers or worse yet, stared at.

?If it wasn't for God giving me this talent, people wouldn't be doing that,? Thomas said. ?So I love the fans.?

Thomas burst onto the statewide hoops scene as a freshman - everyone in Fort Wayne knew of him way before that - and by early in his sophomore year he was being talked about nationally. When you average 29 points and 13 rebounds over your first two seasons, that will happen. Thomas bumped those numbers to 30.3 points and over 15 boards per night last season. He now needs 881 more points to become the greatest scorer in Indiana prep history.

The latest rankings have him as the 18th-best player in the country. It's hard to believe that there are 17 high school players anywhere in the world better than Thomas.

?I use that as motivation sometimes,? Thomas said. ?But the rankings are for younger players when you're just trying to get ranked. Now it's my senior year, and I just need to keep working hard and the results will come out later.?

?Later? will involve trying to lead the Knights to another title before heading off to Ohio State. Much ?later? will hopefully involve playing in the NBA.

?I think about the NBA all of the time,? Thomas said. ?When I'm working out I think about it. It motivates me to go hard.?

Thomas and his Knight teammates will get to live out another dream on two occasions this winter. Bishop Luers has been scheduled to play on ESPN twice (Jan. 23 vs. Columbus Northland at Ohio State and Feb. 6 at Lawrence North).

?Playing on ESPN,? Thomas pondered. ?It's just unreal.?
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SAC boys: Everybody's watching Thomas | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN
 
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Published: December 6, 2009
LUERS 96, MISHAWAKA MARIAN 60
No doubt for Thomas
43 points puts Luers star into top-10 all-time state scoring list
Greg Jones
High school sports editor

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Laura J. Gardner | The Journal Gazette
Deshaun Thomas dunks over Mishawaka Marian?s Ben Brier, left, and Demetrius Jackson in the fourth quarter Saturday night for two of his 43 points at Luers.
State?s top 10
1. Damon Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence (1990) ? 3,134
2. Marion Pierce, Lewisville (1961) ? 3,019
3. Brody Boyd, Union (2000) ? 2,632
4. Rick Mount, Lebanon (1966) ? 2,595
5. Billy Shepherd, Carmel (1968) ? 2,465
6. Alan Henderson, Brebeuf (1991) ? 2,419
7. Mike Edwards, Greenfield (1969) ? 2,343
8. Delray Brooks, Michigan City Rogers (1984) ? 2,324
9. Brady Adkins, Morristown (1992) ? 2,319
10. Deshaun Thomas, Bishop Luers (2010) ? 2,297
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It would have taken something major to happen for Bishop Luers senior Deshaun Thomas to not move into the state?s all-time top 10 in scoring in the Knights? delayed season opener.

But he, along with the two-time defending Class 2A state champion Knights, left no doubt in a 96-60 win over Mishawaka Marian at home Saturday. The Knights are ranked No. 1.

Thomas needed two points to tie for the 10th spot on the career list, but the 6-foot-7 Ohio State recruit scored 43 points in starting his quest for Damon Bailey?s mark of 3,134.

?It was nice coming out in the first game and getting my rhythm back coming off the (ankle) injury in the summer,? said Thomas, who added 20 rebounds. ?I feel good going into my senior year of winning state and then going to the next level. I am all about the team right now and focused on that. It feels good to be in the top 10 and win this ballgame.?

A three-point play in the first quarter bumped Thomas past 2002 Austin graduate Anthony Winchester?s total of 2,256. Thomas upped his career total to 2,297 by the time the game was over. Thomas trails Bailey, the former Bedford North Lawrence standout, by 837 points.

?We don?t want to lose focus with him chasing the record,? Luers coach James Blackmon said. ?But if we do the things we are capable in terms of playing that style of ball, at the end of the night you look at the stat sheet he will be successful.?
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No doubt for Thomas | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfIGmiBXLdo]YouTube - Bishop Luers, Deshaun Thomas start season with a bang[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CyYwpz32g]YouTube - Luers-Mishawaka Marian extended highlights[/ame]
 
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Future Buckeye Deshaun Thomas drops 43 in season opener

Bishop Luers' senior Deshaun Thomas, who's signed his national letter of intent to play basketball at Ohio State, started the season with a bang Saturday night dropping 43 points against Mishawaka Marian in a 96-60 win. The Knights, the back-to-back class 2A defending state champs, have been a little delayed with basketball because so many of the basketball players also play football. Bishop Luers' football team just captured the school's eighth state football title last weekend.

Thomas has a shot at history this season. Diesel's eyeing the Indiana state scoring record for points in a career currently held by Damon Bailey. Entering the night, Thomas trailed Bailey by 881 for the record, so after his 43 point explosion, Thomas needs just 838 points for the record.

For video of Deshaun's 43-point performance, which includes a thunderous two-hand jam, just click on the link below.

Bishop Luers, Deshaun Thomas start the season with a bang
 
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Last updated: December 10, 2009
Thomas' Take
By Deshaun Thomas
Bishop Luers senior

For a second year, Bishop Luers senior boys basketball player Deshaun Thomas is offering his perspective on life and basketball in "Thomas' Take."

In his first installment, Thomas answers questions from Luers principal Mary Keefer in a Q&A situation.

What have you been doing since Luers won Class 2A state title last year?

"It's been a long AAU season. I have gone to a lot of camps. I have been lifting weights, and working out. I have put a lot of effort into my school work. I signed my letter of intent to go to Ohio State. And we played our first game against Mishawaka Marian."

What aspect of your game are you planning to work on during this season?

"Ball-handling and better shot selections. I want to be a good leader since I am a senior, and I want to be a good teammate."
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Thomas_ Take | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.
 
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Thomas had 39 points and moved up to No. 8 on the state?s all-time scoring list with 2,336 points. The Ohio State recruit also had 17 rebounds.

Moving up the list
Indiana?s all-time leading scorers


1. Damon Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence (1990)?3,134

2. Marion Pierce, Lewisville (1961)?3,019

3. Brody Boyd, Union (2000)?2,632

4. Rick Mount, Lebanon (1966)?2,595

5. Billy Shepherd, Carmel (1968)?2,465

6. Alan Henderson, Brebeuf (1991)?2,419

7. Mike Edwards, Greenfield (1969)?2,343

8. Deshaun Thomas, Bishop Luers (2010)?2,336


9. Delray Brooks, Michigan City Rogers (1984)?2,324

10. Brady Adkins, Morristown (1992)?2,319
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Archers__146_ furious rally shocks No_ 1 Knights | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD75LvtQKXA]YouTube - 12/11 Friday night Highlight Zone[/ame]
 
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Football, basketball stars from Indiana are in an Ohio State of mind
By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer
December 14, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- At the very least, the carpool between the best football player and best basketball player in Fort Wayne, Ind., Roderick Smith and DeShaun Thomas, will save gasoline on the 182-mile drive to Columbus. At the very best, the duo from Indiana's second-largest city could leave a mark on Ohio State sports like another duo from Indiana's largest city did three years ago.

deshaun-thomasjpg-568d0ca273618b43.jpg

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
DeShaun Thomas began his senior season with 2,254 career points, needing 881 to pass Damon Bailey as the leading scorer in Indiana high school history.

DESHAUN THOMAS Forward

Bishop Luers High School, Fort Wayne, Ind.

# 6-6, 208 pounds.

# Signed with Ohio State's six-man 2010 basketball class in November.

# Recruiting ranking: The No. 18 overall player and No. 6 power forward in the country, according to Rivals.com.

# High school career: Entered his senior season with 2,254 career points, needing 881 to pass Damon Bailey as the leading scorer in Indiana high school history. He started fast, scoring 43 points and grabbing 20 rebounds in his season opener. He needs to average 32 points per game to break the record. He led Bishop Luers to consecutive Class 2A state titles.

# At Ohio State: Thomas should step right into the rotation next season and possibly into the starting lineup. OSU coach Thad Matta loves Thomas' basketball smarts, telling a story about Thomas making a 3-pointer to start a game, then grabbing the ball and telling the officials they were playing with a smaller women's basketball. Matta also said he's a very good passer, and he offers a legitimate scoring presence inside and outside that the Buckeyes don't have at the moment. So, like fellow recruit Jared Sullinger, he'll play quickly.
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Ohio State fans eagerly awaited the arrival of Indianapolis basketballers Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. for a 2006-07 season that ended in a national title game. Like Oden and Conley, Smith and Thomas are former AAU basketball teammates. Like Oden and Conley, Smith and Thomas might be roommates in Columbus. Unlike Oden and Conley, they'll play on different teams for the Buckeyes. But the high school seniors have the same goals when their Ohio State careers start in 2010.
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Football, basketball stars from Indiana are in an Ohio State of mind | Ohio State Buckeyes - cleveland.com - - cleveland.com
 
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