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

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Posted on Sat. Apr. 10, 2010
Taking it slow on the fast track
Deshaun Thomas tries to focus on present
By Reggie Hayes
of The News-Sentinel

Bishop Luers senior Deshaun Thomas sees the young guns leaping to the NBA after one year in college and tries not to get ahead of himself.

He?s still on the tail end of high school, with a couple all-star basketball games yet to play, and has yet to get his taste of college ball at Ohio State University.

Still, it?s impossible not to wonder when you see other big-time players spending the requisite year in college and sprinting for the big bucks.

?Everybody?s saying, ?You can be one and done, you have the potential,? and stuff like that,? Thomas said. ?But I?m trying to take it one step at time in my mind. There?s no rush.?

Thomas, who was named Indiana Mr. Basketball last week, has been selected as The News-Sentinel PrepSports Boys Basketball Player of the Year for the third straight season.

Thomas is scheduled to play in the 2010 Jordan Brand Classic game on April 17 in Madison Square Garden, New York, and will wear the No. 1 jersey in the Indiana vs. Kentucky all-star games on June 11 at Bellarmine University in Louisville and June 12 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

After that, Thomas can concentrate on his Ohio State career.

Unfortunately, he won?t get to play with Ohio State All-America Evan Turner, who declared for the NBA Draft.

?He had a tough decision and had to pick what was best for him,? Thomas said. ?I would have loved to play with him. He?s a great ballplayer who can pass and shoot well. So I?m kind of disappointed, but he had to make the decision that was best for him.?
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Taking it slow on the fast track | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN
 
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Published: April 13, 2010
Thomas wins 3rd Gooden Award
Knights star 1st to get 3 consecutive honors
Steve Warden
The Journal Gazette

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Clint Keller | The Journal Gazette
Tiffany Gooden awards Deshaun Thomas the Tiffany Gooden Award on Monday at the Spring Basketball Awards Banquet. Thomas will play at Ohio State next season.

When the prestigious Indiana Mr. Basketball title is the most recent part of a lengthy r?sum?, there couldn?t have been much suspense for Bishop Luers senior Deshaun Thomas before Monday night?s announcement of the Tiffany Gooden Award.

The award, presented to Thomas at the annual banquet sponsored by The Journal Gazette that recognizes the boys? and girls? All-SAC teams as well as the All-Northeast Indiana teams, was the third straight for the 6-foot-7 senior who will play at Ohio State next season.

Although there have been two separate back-to-back winners of the award, named on behalf of Gooden, the 1994 recipient and Parade Magazine Player of the Year, Thomas is the first in the 17-year history to claim three consecutive honors.

?It?s a great compliment, winning it three times in a row,? said Thomas, who averaged 31.8 points and 15.3 rebounds this season. ?It feels good and lets you know that all the work I had done paid off, and I?ve grown for the past four years over at Luers.?

With 3,018 career points, Thomas is the third-leading scorer in the history of Indiana high school boys basketball.

?It?s a sad moment,? Thomas said of his high school career coming to an end. ?(Bishop Luers) treated me like family and I had much support, but you?ve got to move on. I?ll miss them, and I?ll always come back to my roots of Fort Wayne.?
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Thomas wins 3rd Gooden Award | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFRYlYAjTWc]YouTube - DESHAUN THOMAS INTERVIEW AFTER WINNING GOODEN AWARD APRIL 12[/ame]
 
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Published: April 16, 2010
Thomas ready for big stage
Greg Jones
High school sports editor

What: Jordan Brand Classic

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York

TV: ESPN2
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There?s no secret that Bishop Luers senior Deshaun Thomas has professional basketball aspirations, especially when it comes to one day playing in the NBA. Whether it is after one season at Ohio State or more, the 2010 Indiana Mr. Basketball would like to one day get paid to play.

The 6-foot-7 forward will get his chance Saturday to play on an NBA court as one of the East All-Stars in the ninth annual Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden, arguably the most famous professional basketball venue.

?I have never been to New York at all, and I am very excited to play on an NBA court and see what that would feel like,? Thomas said
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Thomas ready for big stage | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Posted: Thursday April 15, 2010
Kevin Armstrong> INSIDE RECRUITING

Four top prospects offer an inside look at the wild world of recruiting Story Highlights
Dion Waiters, Reggie Bullock, Deshaun Thomas, Roscoe Smith discuss recruiting

With their recruitments over, four elite basketball prospects who will play in Saturday night's Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden sat down Wednesday afternoon to discuss life as a top recruit. Dion Waiters, an explosive guard from Philadelphia, will attend Syracuse. Reggie Bullock, a bouncy shooting guard from Kinston, N.C., is a Tar Heel-in-waiting. Forward Deshaun Thomas is part of the nation's best class at Ohio State. And Roscoe Smith, a smooth wing from Baltimore, has committed to UConn.
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Read More: Waiters, Bullock, Thomas, Smith discuss recruiting process - Kevin Armstrong - SI.com
 
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Published: May 22, 2010
Luers honors Thomas
Retires basketball star?s No. 1 jersey
Greg Jones | High school sports editor

On June 7, Deshaun Thomas will be the last player to wear the No. 1 jersey in the Bishop Luers gym.

That?s because the senior had his number retired by the school Friday as part of the Senior Awards program.

The 2010 Mr. Basketball was given a framed Luers? No. 1 jersey and was told no player will ever wear the uniform number again at the school. It is the first time a number has been retired at Luers.

Thomas will wear the Indiana All-Stars? version of No. 1 when his Senior All-Stars take on the Junior All-Stars in an exhibition game at the school as a tune-up for the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series June 11-12.

The Ohio State recruit is the state?s third all-time leading boys scorer in state history with 3,018 career points. He finished just a point away from Marion Pierce for second place.

Thomas led the state in scoring with 32 points per game this season and was named Fort Wayne?s first Mr. Basketball in 30 years last month.
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Luers honors Thomas | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN
 
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Last updated: May 22, 2010
Grades good for Thomas
Greg Jones | High school sports editor

After getting his No. 1 jersey number retired by Bishop Luers, senior Deshaun Thomas has got the grades.

The Ohio State recruit improved his test scores just enough to have no trouble qualifying for college.

"It does feel real good that the hard work is paying off," Thomas said in a text message. "It's just getting me ready for college."
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Grades good for Thomas | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN
 
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June 5, 2010
Indiana All-Stars open practice: Notes on Thomas, Hecklinski
Posted by Kyle Neddenriep

Not to stir a controversy here, but had a chance to talk to Indianapolis Star Indiana Mr. Basketball Deshaun Thomas today about his non-appearance at the Hoosiers' Reunion Classic on Friday night at Knightstown.

Game director Garry Donna said Thomas, the Fort Wayne Bishop Luers standout and Ohio State recruit, had committed to play in the game and announced the crowd prior to the game that Thomas had signed a letter of intent to play and didn't show.

The 6-7 Thomas had a different story and said he had never signed anything.

"I heard (Donna) burned me a little bit, but it was a false statement," he said. "I never said I would play in it for sure, but would give somebody a call and ask. But I never heard anything back so I think it was just a big misunderstanding."

Now, moving on, Thomas reported to camp Saturday for the Indiana All-Stars at Marian University the rest of his teammates for the first practice with Anderson coach Ron Hecklinski. New Albany's Donnie Hale was not report because of graduation and Bowman Academy's Tyrae Robinson was also not in attendance Saturday.

Thomas said he's taking his responsibility as Mr. Basketball seriously this week.

"If the rest of the guys see Mr. Basketball out there going hard, they will play hard," he said. "Going out here being a leader and talking to the guys, that's what I have to do. Keep a smile on my face and do what I need to do to be a leader."
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IndyStar.com | Recruiting Central | The Indianapolis Star
 
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Published: June 7, 2010
Thomas bids Fort Wayne farewell
All-Star tuneup is last game in city for Mr. Basketball
Greg Jones | High school sports editor

INDIANAPOLIS ? While all of his All-Star experience up to this point has been out of state, let alone outside Fort Wayne, 2010 Mr. Basketball and Bishop Luers product Deshaun Thomas has a chance at a homecoming tonight when he leads the Indiana All-Stars in the first of two tuneup games against the Junior All-Stars at Bishop Luers.

Thomas, who is headed to Ohio State, has played in the McDonald?s All-American game in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jordan Brand Classic in New York, but gets a chance to return to his home state ? and home city ? wearing the Indiana No. 1 jersey.

?It will be a good experience,? Thomas said after a practice session Sunday at Marian University. ?There will be some friends there cheering for me and giving me support. This is my last (home) game, and it will feel great. It will be a homecourt advantage, and you always feel comfortable with that.?
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Thomas bids Fort Wayne farewell | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN
 
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Boys: All-Stars 125, Juniors 89
Mr. Basketball bids fond farewell
Thomas plays his final game at Luers
By Michael Pointer

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Deshaun Thomas is the third-leading scorer in Indiana high school basketball history. Judging by Monday night's performance, he's rubbing off on his Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Star teammates.

Playing in his final game at his alma mater before heading to Ohio State, the state's Mr. Basketball scored 25 points and six other All-Stars scored in double figures in rolling to a 125-89 victory over the state's junior all-stars in an exhibition game at Bishop Luers High School before 873 fans.
"It's an all-star game,'' said Thomas, who also had 15 rebounds. "You're supposed to get other people involved and get them some dunks and all that stuff. I'm just out there having fun.''
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http://www.indystar.com/article/201...1004/SPORTS/Mr.-Basketball-bids-fond-farewell

Published: June 8, 2010
Indiana All-Stars
Luers star shines in last game in home gym
Greg Jones | High school sports editor

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Samuel Hoffman | The Journal Gazette
Deshaun Thomas of Bishop Luers shoots over Carroll?s Tyler Ault during Monday?s Indiana All-Stars game against the Junior All-Stars at Luers.Published: June

In his final game at Bishop Luers, the 6-foot-7 Thomas scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as Indiana cruised past a talented Junior All-Stars team 125-89.

?It is home court,? Thomas said. ?Every time I step in this gym, I feel comfortable. I got it in early and got some big shots.

?It feels great being my last home game in Fort Wayne. I give thanks to everybody who came out and gave me support. Now it is time to get ready for Kentucky (this weekend).?
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Luers star shines in last game in home gym | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1orC0hxg_sU]YouTube - INDIANA BASKETBALL ALL-STARS SENIOR VS. JUNIOR EXHIBITION GA[/ame]
 
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June 12, 2010
INDIANA-KENTUCKY ALL-STARS
Thomas, Indiana overcome all doubts
Former Luers star hits 2 late free throws as All-Stars rally
Greg Jones | High school sports editor

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David R. Lutman | Special to The Journal Gazette
Indiana Mr. Basketball DeShaun Thomas goes around Kentucky?s Will Evans during Friday?s Indiana-Kentucky All-Star game in Louisville, Ky. Thomas had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. ? The frustration was there for Mr. Basketball Deshaun Thomas and the Indiana Boys All-Stars on Friday.

But somehow, someway, both managed to forget their struggles and discover a way to beat the Kentucky All-Stars by rallying for a 100-97 victory Friday at Bellarmine University.

Where the shots weren?t falling early, they certainly were late.

Thomas, a Bishop Luers product, had 18 points and a game-high 13 rebounds and hit two free throws with three seconds left for the final margin.

?It was just about playing hard,? Thomas said. ?Coach (Ron Hecklinski) says players play and tough players win. We were tough players tonight, and we never gave up.?

The final score helped offset a subpar performance for Thomas, who was only 3 of 8 from the field and 1 of 6 in the first half.

Facing a lot of double teams and a physical Kentucky team, Thomas was 12 of 16 from the free throw line.

?Usually I am hitting threes, but I am very good inside too,? he said. ?I went to my strong position posting up and doing what I had to to score.

?I have been seeing that in high school a lot, double teams and rotating different bodies and fresh legs on me.

?Now I know it was just getting ready for this game.?

Indiana, which has won 11 of the last 12 meetings with Kentucky, will wrap up the two-game series at 7 p.m. today at Conseco Fieldhouse.

?I expect them to play the same, play hard,? Thomas said of Kentucky.

?It is going to be a battle because they are very good, but we are going to battle, too.?
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Thomas, Indiana overcome all doubts | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN
 
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