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

[Buckskin86]

Thomas: ?heckuva career'
Luers star racked up 3,018 points, third on IHSAA list.
By Tom Davis
of The News-Sentinel

Top of the charts
IHSAA career scoring leaders

1.Damon Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence, 3,134 points
2. Marion Pierce, Lewisville, 3,019
3.Deshaun Thomas, Bishop Luers, 3,018
4. Brody Boyd, Union (Dugger), 2,632
5. Rick Mount, Lebanon, 2,595
6. Billy Shepherd, Carmel, 2,465
7. Alan Henderson, Brebeuf Jesuit, 2,419
8. Mike Edwards, Greenfield, 2,343
9. Delray Brooks, Michigan City Rogers, 2,324
10. Brady Adkins, Morristown, 2,319

TIPTON ? During the past four years, Deshaun Thomas has played his basketball on ESPN, in the most extravagant facilities in the country and against the top prep players America can offer.

When his high school career ended Saturday, it was in an average-sized high school gym in Tipton, Ind., and he was knocked off by a scrappy group of country kids who can only watch ESPN, not play on it.

Bishop Luers was beaten 70-68 in the regional semifinal.

?You have all of the history of Deshaun Thomas, all of the history of Bishop Luers?? Southwood Coach John Burrus said. ?We were the team that was able to get them.?

The Southwood defense collapsed on Thomas in the post all day; and when he ventured out to the perimeter, he had a hand in his face there as well. The Ohio State recruit finished with 34 points and nine rebounds, but he missed 16 of his 29 shots.

?My shots weren?t falling,? Thomas said. ?I missed a couple of wide-open layups.?

Earlier in the week, Burrus said he felt that Thomas, who will play at Ohio State next year, was ?bored with high school basketball.? The Southwood coach also said it probably wasn?t ?the biggest thrill for (Thomas) to be playing against Southwood.?

After the game, the Bishop Luers players and coaches each gave Southwood its due for the win. Thomas was already looking toward the future.

?I just got to move on and get ready for Ohio State,? he said.

The 6-foot-7 forward finished his prep career with 3,018 career points, which placed him one point shy of second on the IHSAA career scoring list. Marion Pierce (Lewisville) scored 3,019, while Damon Bailey (Bedford North Lawrence) tops the list with 3,134 points.

?It?s been a heckuva career,? Thomas said. ?I think that I had a great career. Three thousand points, that?s a lot.?

Thomas: ‘heckuva career' | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN

 

[Buckskin86]

Published: March 26, 2010
Luers? Thomas named to AP All-Century team
Cliff Brunt
Associated Press

Cathie Rowand | The Journal Gazette
Bishop Luers? Deshaun Thomas was named to the high school basketball All-Century team.

INDIANAPOLIS ? Bobby Plump of the small-town Milan Indians and Oscar Robertson of powerhouse Indianapolis Crispus Attucks, perhaps more than any other two players in state history, inspired Indiana boys ? black and white, city and country ? to dream of playing in the state basketball tournament.

In honor of the 100th state tournament, which will conclude on Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse, The Associated Press compiled an Indiana All-Century team. The 26 players ? a set of twins has been included as a single entry ? were chosen with input from a panel of experts who have been involved with basketball in the state for at least 20 years.

Larry Bird, an all-century pick who averaged 30.6 points and 20.6 rebounds per game as a senior at Springs Valley in 1974, said the memories of pursuing a state title live long after the dribbling stops.

?If you go around the state, most guys played basketball on some level,? he said. ?When I see a lot of my friends who played in high school but didn?t get to play in college, that?s all they talk about. They remember the coaches, they remember the cheerleaders, they remember the scores of games, and that?s their life.?

The members of the team, in alphabetical order, are:

Steve Alford, New Castle; Damon Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence; Kent Benson, New Castle; Larry Bird, Springs Valley; Hallie Bryant, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks; Mike Conley, Lawrence North; Bill Garrett, Shelbyville; Terry Dischinger, Terre Haute Garfield; Eric Gordon, Indianapolis North Central; Billy Keller, Indianapolis Washington; Clyde Lovellette, Terre Haute Garfield; George McGinnis, Indianapolis Washington; Rick Mount, Lebanon; Greg Oden, Lawrence North; Bobby Plump, Milan; Zach Randolph, Marion; Jimmy Rayl, Kokomo; Oscar Robertson, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks; Glenn Robinson, Gary Roosevelt; Scott Skiles, Plymouth; Homer Stonebraker, Wingate; Deshaun Thomas, Bishop Luers; Tom and Dick Van Arsdale, Indianapolis Manual; John Wooden, Martinsville; Robert ?Fuzzy? Vandivier, Franklin.

?It feels great,? Thomas said. ?I can?t believe it. It?s a wonderful thing. The hard work and dedication is paying off.?

Thomas finished his career third in state history with 3,018 points and won Class 2A state titles in 2008 and 2009. He will attend Ohio State.

Luers__146_ Thomas named to AP All_Century team | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

 

[Bill Lucas]

That is one impressive list of high school players. Congrats to Deshaun Thomas for making the team. :osu:

 

[Buckskin86]

Posted on Sat. Mar. 27, 2010
Thomas fulfills dream with game
He'll play in McDonald's All-American Game.
By Tom Davis
of The News-Sentinel

The names are legendary: Kobe, LeBron, Michael, Magic ? and now Deshaun can be added to the list.

Bishop Luers senior Deshaun Thomas was honored this season as a McDonald?s All American, and with that designation, he will be participating in the McDonald?s All- American Game in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday.

?This is a dream come true for me,? Thomas said. ?I always dreamed of becoming a McDonald?s All-American when I was young.?

Thomas will join 47 of the best high school players in the country (24 boys and 24 girls) and measure his skills against several future NBA players.

?I?m just going to try and keep the same level of intensity,? Thomas said in comparing this game to a high school game. ?I?m just going to play hard and have fun.?

The 6-foot-7 forward is the lone Indiana participant, with the only other Hoosier State tie being Kayla McBride (Erie, Pa.), who will play at Notre Dame next season.

The game will be played at the Value City Arena on the campus of Ohio State, which is where Thomas will be next season. He is joined on the East Team by future Buckeye teammate Jared Sullinger, who is a two-time Ohio Mr. Basketball.

?I?m pretty much friends with all of the other guys (playing),? Thomas said. ?So it won?t be anything new (to play against them). We?re like a family.?

Thomas fulfills dream with game | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN

 

[Buckskin86]

Published: March 29, 2010
Thomas named to Parade 1st team
Greg Jones
High school sports editor

As Deshaun Thomas was preparing for one All-American honor, the Bishop Luers senior received another national accolade.

Thomas was named to the Parade Magazine All-American first team for the second straight season.

Parade will officially announce its 54th annual All-America high school boys basketball team Sunday.

?It?s a great feeling winning a national honor,? said Thomas, who?s in Columbus, Ohio, preparing for Wednesday?s McDonald?s All-American game. ?I am glad I made the All-American team again. It?s amazing.?

Thomas, who averaged 31.8 points and 15.3 rebounds as a senior, is one of 10 players named to the first team. The two-time Class 2A state champion finished with 3,018 career points, third all-time for boys in the state.

Also on the first team is Parade Player of the Year Jared Sullinger, a future teammate of Thomas? at Ohio State.

?There?s no question I knew he had this potential and ability to be as good as he is currently,? said Thomas? AAU coach and mentor, Todd Hensley, who is also in Columbus. ?I can?t put into words how proud I am of him of everything he has gone through and everything that has come up for him.?

As part of the McDonald?s All-American events, Thomas and teammates visited a local Ronald McDonald house. The 6-foot-7 forward also had a practice Sunday.

?He put a smile on a kid?s face, and I was tickled about that,? Hensley said.

?It was a great experience, and the players were really excited to be there. He sat with a kid for a little bit, and I think it got to him a little bit.?

Thomas named to Parade 1st team | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

 

[wadc45]

BuckeyeGrove.com - McDonald's All-American Game: Monday Practice (free)

Deshaun Thomas: On Monday Thomas played mostly at the power forward position as opposed to small forward, and he did what he does. Thomas knocked in a few jump shots from deep, and scored around the rim on offensive rebounds. Also Thomas did score on one pull up jumper which has been a growth area for him. Still he struggled some on the defensive end, and his handle could use some work as he tries to take his game to the wing fulltime.

 

[Buckskin86]

Posted on Wed. Mar. 31, 2010
Thomas stays busy off court
He's visiting families of sick kids, working McDonald's counter.
By Tom Davis
of The News-Sentinel

COLUMBUS, Ohio ? It?s nice to know that if this whole basketball thing doesn?t work out for Deshaun Thomas, that he has spent time getting some on-the-job training in another field.

The Bishop Luers senior is spending four days in Columbus, Ohio, as part of the McDonald?s All American Game festivities. The event, which includes a variety of activities that are not basketball-related, culminates today with the game, which will be played at 8 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University. The girls game starts at 5:30 p.m.

?This has been a lot of fun,? Thomas said. ?This is a dream come true.?

Thomas is one of 48 (24 boys and 24 girls) nationally-recognized players who will compete in the game tonight, and is the only Indiana player selected.

Aside from basketball practices, the players have spent time visiting the families of young patients at Columbus-area hospitals, who are staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Columbus. The proceeds from the game will benefit that facility.

?It was nice to go over there and meet the families and their kids,? Thomas said. ?That?s what this (experience) is all about, is helping those families.?

Asked how many autographs Thomas, who will play at Ohio State next year, has signed since coming to town and he laughed and said ?millions.? ?Everywhere I go people are asking me to sign an autograph,? Thomas added.

Thomas stays busy off court | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN

Published: March 31, 2010
Thomas set for McDonald?s game
Luers senior dreamed of event ?since I was little?
Greg Jones
High school sports editor

James Blackmon sees some variation in the McDonald?s All-American game over the last 27 years, but the core of competing is virtually unchanged.

The Bishop Luers boys basketball coach participated in the 1983 version of the 33rd annual All-American game with the best high school players in the nation after he wrapped up his outstanding career at Marion.

?The game is different,? said Blackmon, whose star Luers pupil, senior Deshaun Thomas, will compete in the game tonight. ?The format is a lot different, and they didn?t have the skills competition and the dunk contest. Those were added a few years after I played.

?But the atmosphere and competition of the game are still great.?

Thomas set for McDonald__146_s game | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

 

[Buckskin86]

Posted on Thu. Apr. 01, 2010
Thomas finishes strong in Columbus
Struggles, then excels in McDonald's game.
By Tom Davis
of The News-Sentinel

COLUMBUS, Ohio ? For more than 20 minutes Wednesday, Deshaun Thomas struggled on the basketball court as much as he had at any time during his illustrious high school career.

During the McDonald?s All American Game, which was played at Value City Arena on the campus of Ohio State, the Bishop Luers senior had his shot blocked six times.

He missed 9 of his 14 shots, including a pair that floated through the air and right past the rim, never connecting with anything.

But give credit to the kid: When it came time to win the game, Thomas was the one making plays that nearly brought his team back from the dead. In the end though, the West prevailed over Thomas? East team 107-104.

?I need to be more consistent with my jump (shot),? Thomas said. ?(But) I worked hard on defense and going to the boards.?

Thomas finishes strong in Columbus | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN

Published: April 1, 2010
McDonald?s All-American game
Thomas glimpses future
Shares court at Ohio State with future teammate
Greg Jones
High school sports editor
Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio ? Deshaun Thomas and Jared Sullinger finally got the chance to be teammates.

The two Ohio State recruits have been talking about it for a while, especially since Sunday when the events for the McDonald?s All-American game got started.

The two lived up to the buzz for Buckeyes fans by showing off at their future home, despite their East team falling in the final seconds to the West, 107-104, on Wednesday at Value City Arena.

Sullinger, a Columbus Northland senior, earned East MVP honors with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Thomas, from Bishop Luers, added 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

?We had good chemistry out there,? Thomas said. ?Jared showed (Buckeyes fans) that he is the MVP, and I showed them I am the garbage man and will do the little things to help the Ohio State team win ballgames.?

The two players, who hung out together a lot during the past four days, had been on the Ohio State court together previously, but as opponents when Sullinger?s Northland team beat Thomas? Luers squad in a regular-season game.

?Off the court, we talk about what we are going to do on the court,? Sullinger said. ?That carries onto the court with our chemistry.

?We really wanted to put on a show for the Buckeye fans tonight. We did our best to do that,? Sullinger added.

Thomas glimpses future | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

 

[southcampus]

The "garbage man." I love players like that. Even if it's a pick up game down at the RPAC or Jesse Owens, you ALWAYS want a dude that can just clean up junk and bang on the boards. I have a fealing that DeShaun is going to be well liked by the Buckeye Nation with his plethora of skills (Shooting, Running the Court, Driveability, and his Toughness on the boards). Both he and Sully should be a good team for at least 1-2 years.

 

[wadc45]

BuckeyeGrove.com - McDonald?s All-American Game breakdown

Deshaun Thomas: The final box score looked good for Thomas, 11 points and seven rebounds, but he wasn't efficient at all. He struggled mightily from the field, and also didn't get it going down low against bigger defensive players. Thomas looked like a power forward with some three point range. Obviously it wasn't his best day, but in the end he did get buckets.

 

[Bill Lucas]

The Diesel showed a lot of grit last night. A couple of the blocks were (IMO) because he just hasn't played against the level of big man that he was up against last night. At least two blocks were because he took too much time finishing and a couple of others were because he didn't go up strong enough. Easy enough things to correct.

I was very impressed with his rebounding and passing. For a 6'7" guy he did a great job clearing the boards and his passes are strong and crisp and he immediately has his head up when he gets a board and see open players downcourt.

He's going to give us a lot of great memories in his time at Ohio State.

 

[Buckskin86]

Thomas on Parade All-America

Fort Wayne Bishop Luers senior Deshaun Thomas was named to the first team of the Parade All-America squad.

The 6-7 Ohio State recruit averaged 33 points and 15 rebounds as a senior and finished third on the state's all-time scoring list with 3,018 points. Jared Sullinger of Columbus (Ohio) Northland, also an Ohio State recruit, was named Parade Player of the Year.

For Pike's Teague, it's all done except for the deciding | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX8WuRby5aU]YouTube - Deshaun Thomas McDonald's postgame[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qswFuYqhvqU]YouTube - Deshaun Thomas McDonald's All American Game[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b5nBg8czt8]YouTube - Jared Sullinger & Deshaun Thomas McDonald's All-American Game Highlights[/ame]

 

[brodybuck21]

The Diesel showed a lot of grit last night. A couple of the blocks were (IMO) because he just hasn't played against the level of big man that he was up against last night. At least two blocks were because he took too much time finishing and a couple of others were because he didn't go up strong enough. Easy enough things to correct.

I was very impressed with his rebounding and passing. For a 6'7" guy he did a great job clearing the boards and his passes are strong and crisp and he immediately has his head up when he gets a board and see open players downcourt.

He's going to give us a lot of great memories in his time at Ohio State.

^^^this^^^^

 

[Buckskin86]

2010 Indianapolis Star Indiana Mr. Basketball Deshaun Thomas
Fort Wayne Bishop Luers star no longer gets nervous in front of crowds
By Kyle Neddenriep
Posted: April 4, 2010

With an NBA body, skills to match and dimples the size of dinner plates when he flashes a big smile, Deshaun Thomas sticks out in a crowd. He always has, even back to his elementary school days, when Thomas' prodigious basketball talent made him the talk of Fort Wayne.

MICHELLE PEMBERTON / The Star

But the 6-7, 220-pound Thomas, this year's Indianapolis Star Indiana Mr. Basketball, hasn't always enjoyed the attention. When the Bishop Luers star was in the third grade, childhood friend Tyrell Tubbs asked him to play on his team at the YMCA. Over and over, Tubbs would ask. Over and over, Thomas said, "No thanks."

"I always told him that my grandma wouldn't let me," said Thomas, a McDonald's All American recently named to the Parade magazine All-America first team. "But she never said that. I never even asked her. I just didn't like to play in front of crowds. I'd get nervous."

Thomas eventually got over his phobia. Good for Bishop Luers. Good for Ohio State, where he has signed to play next season. Good for Indiana high school basketball.

"I've seen him grow a lot, not just as a player," said James Blackmon, who coached Thomas all four years of high school. "His attitude changed since he came in as a freshman. He went from not being serious about academics to putting in a lot of time and effort. He understands now that in order to make his dreams come true, he has to put in his work in all areas, including the classroom."

Thomas, who averaged 32.5 points a game, was named Mr. Basketball on 189 ballots. North Central's Terone Johnson had 41 votes; no one else had more than seven.

For all of his records and honors in basketball, Thomas is maybe most proud of making the honor roll last semester for the first time.

Fort Wayne Bishop Luers star no longer gets nervous in front of crowds | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Last updated: April 4, 2010
Thomas honored as state?s No. 1
Fort Wayne?s 4th Mr. Basketball
Greg Jones
High school sports editor

Deshaun Thomas will get to wear ?No. 1? as a high school basketball player a couple games longer.

The number has meant something pretty significant to the Bishop Luers senior, and with the announcement by the Indianapolis Star today that Thomas is the 2010 Mr. Basketball, the Ohio State recruit will get to wear No. 1 proudly in the two-game series against the Kentucky All-Stars on June 11-12.

?That?s a number that has been on my mind ever since I was little,? Thomas said. ?Wearing that number is special to me.?

The McDonald?s and Parade Magazine All-American won the Mr. Basketball title in a landslide, receiving 189 votes from media and coaches across the state.

Runner-up Terone Johnson of Indianapolis North Central had 41 votes.

?My first reaction was ?shocking,? ? Thomas said about getting the call he was Mr. Basketball. ?When (Indiana All-Star game coordinator Charlie Hall) said, ?Mr. Basketball,? that is such a privilege for me. That is being the best player in the state. I didn?t think about it like that, but it was on my mind a little bit when people would ask me about it. I didn?t know it would come because me and Terone Johnson had a good race going. I was shocked I got it.?

Thomas honored as state__146_s No_ 1 | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

 

[Buckskin86]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y-UArzFqnw]YouTube - Deshaun Thomas voted Indiana's Mr. Basketball[/ame]