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Ohio State men's basketball: Thomas comfortable with entering draft
By Bob Baptist
The Columbus Dispatch? Friday April 12, 2013
Jaime Green | Wichita (Kan.) Eagle
Deshaun Thomas said he asked himself the same question he did last year in weighing whether to leave Ohio State early and make himself available for the NBA draft.
Could he improve his stock with pro scouts by returning for another season? This time, his answer was the opposite, and Ohio State announced last Friday that he is leaving.
?I think I made the best decision this year,? Thomas said this week by phone from Indianapolis, where he has relocated to prepare for a professional basketball career.
Coach Thad Matta did not try to persuade Thomas to return for his senior season when they met last week, Thomas said, but he did ask if the player was prepared for whatever happens.
?He was like, ?What if you do fall into that second round? Are you willing to make that kind of money and still progress?? ? Thomas said.
?I was just like, people see me in the first round or falling into the second round, but I have great confidence in myself, and I?m a first-rounder. I believe that. I know that.?
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Commentary: Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas has patience, maturity to make it in the NBA
By Eric Seger
[email protected]
Published: Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Andrew Holleran / Photo editor
Former OSU junior forward Deshaun Thomas goes for the basket during a game against Michigan State on Feb. 24 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU won, 68-60.
It?s been almost two weeks since Ohio State men?s basketball forward Deshaun Thomas announced he is leaving early to enter the 2013 NBA Draft.
Being one of Thomas? biggest supporters this past season, my heart sank when I heard about his decision, but it is one that I fully understand and respect.
Something that I am struggling to understand is all the so-called ?experts? saying that he will not have much success at the next level.
Some say he is not quick enough to defend at an elite level and earn playing time. Some say he is too selfish and takes too many bad shots that will frustrate coaches. Some say that he is a ?me first? player who will get frustrated when he does not get shots. This madness needs to stop now.
Thomas led the Big Ten in scoring this past season at 19.8 points per game and scored in double digits in every game. He shot 83 percent from the free throw line, 34 percent from behind the arc and an impressive 45 percent overall. Thomas made all of that happen while being the main scoring option on a limited offensive team and thus getting the opposing team?s best defense thrown at him every game.
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Thomas raises eyebrows at NBA combine
May 17, 2013
(Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports)
CHICAGO -- While most players here speak of their goal to be a lottery pick, Deshaun Thomas has lower expectations.
?I believe I can be a late first-round pick,? said the 6-5 small forward who left Ohio State after his junior season. ? I have confidence. All I got to do is keep working.?
A knockdown shooter who can play in transition as well, Thomas? rapidly improves physique has wowed at least several scouts here. He measured at 6-5, 220 pounds with a 6-10 wingspan and 9.1% body fat. He can take contact and still get off his shot. He's 6-7 in shoes.
?Worked on it a lot. Got my body fat down. It was at 11 or 12,? he said. ?I worked on flexibility, getting stronger, being explosive out there.?
Thomas hasn't interviewed with the Wizards, who need a quick-hitting scorer like Thomas to help the NBA?s worst scoring team (93.2 points per game) but ideally in a bigger package to play in the low post. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs already have talked with him.
Thomas averaged 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, shot 44.5% from the field and 34.4% from three-point range in his final season with the Buckeyes. He was an 83.4% foul shooter and gets to the line almost five times per game.
The Spurs, who have won four NBA championships since 1999, are noted for finding diamonds in the rough.
?I can bring great energy, the toughness, the competitiveness, the will to win,? Thomas said. ?Extra rebounds, extra assists, just the little things. I learned that from playing at Ohio State. It?s not all about the scoring. It?s about the effort plays.?
Thomas is aware he might drop beneath the first round. He?ll be OK with that, too. The Wizards have two picks there.
When Thomas interviewed with the Spurs, he refused to give them his cell phone number. So he just might.
?It?s all about getting in there and being with the right team pick you and going from there,? he said. ?If it?s the second round, get in there work out, work your way up and try to be great.?
Cleveland Cavaliers could target Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas
Published: Saturday, May 18, 2013
By BOB FINNAN
[email protected]
@BobCavsinsider
CHICAGO ? Deshaun Thomas has been a prolific scorer at every level of basketball.
The Ohio State small forward knows, however, that NBA teams are looking to see a more well-rounded game.
The 6-foot-7, 220-pounder is expected to be a late first-round pick or an early second-round selection. The Cavaliers have two picks atop the second round ? Nos. 31 and 33 overall ? and could target Thomas.
The Indiana native would love to return to Ohio.
?I think about it,? he said. ?It would be fine going back to Ohio and playing with the Cavs. Whatever?s the best fit. I wouldn?t mind going back. Everybody always tweets: ?I hope you go to the Cavs. Come back to Ohio.? It would be great if the Cavs pick me up.?
Of course, he has no control over where he?s headed.
In his mind ? like most players at the NBA draft combine ? he thinks he?ll be a first-round pick.
?I believe I can be a late first-round pick,? he said. ?I have confidence. But all I?ve got to do is keep working, do what I can do. As long as I can feel like when I can walk out of that gym that I worked hard, I?ll leave it in God?s hands and everything will take care of itself.?
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