After we recently talked about a possible decision by Eduprize Prep's gifted 6-foot-4 senior guard AJ Thomas coming soon, it is now official after Thomas announced his big decision this weekend to sign a national letter of intent this fall with a West Coast Conference (WCC) program - giving a verbal commitment to Loyola Marymount University and Head Coach Stan Johnson and his experienced basketball staff. Stan Johnson personally is one of the top recruiters in the West, and now he lands a nice guard prospect from the state of Arizona that has proven to be one of the better 2025 guard prospects in the West.
Thomas recently took several official recruiting visits, before making his big decision - choosing to sign with Loyola Marymount over offers from Arizona State, Cal, Coastal Carolina, Charlotte, San Diego, Texas-San Antonio, Western Carolina, Northern Arizona and Seattle University.
Thomas is regarded as an elite prospect in Arizona's 2025 Class by our staff, and he has been highly regarded for some time now. He is coming off another good showing this spring and summer, while traveling with the West Coast Elite (CA) club program. Thomas received numerous offers for himself, as a result of his play and heightened exposure gained from playing for the WCE program. Thomas is one of the more talented guard prospects in the West for the 2025 Class, as he has had an excellent high school career for himself thus far. Thomas is coming off another excellent high school season for himself last season, after he led Eduprize Prep (32-1) to this year's CAA Open Division State Championship.
Thomas previously made the decision to change graduating classes - moving from the 2024 Class to the 2025 Class, and it was an excellent decision for him, as he is flourishing on and off the basketball court. Thomas led the state's Canyon Athletic Association (CAA) Division in scoring as a freshman, sophomore and as a junior - posting amazing numbers every season of his high school career. Last season, Thomas returned for his junior season, while playing for his father, Head Coach Ashton Thomas, and had another tremendous season for himself - earning a third consecutive Region Player of the Year honors. Thomas poured in strong numbers, while leading Eduprize Prep to an almost undefeated season (32-1) - averaging 24.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 3.1 steals per/contest.
Congratulations to the Thomas family, one of my favorites, on this amazing accomplishment from our staff here @ Arizona Preps. Thomas is a true role model for other Arizona basketball prospects. I look forward to watching Eduprize Prep again this high school season, and also in this year's Arizona Preps Fall Showcase in October.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Thomas is an athletic and quick point guard prospect with an excellent feel for the game, and a prowess for scoring the basketball. He has a very good handle of the basketball and can get to where he wants on the floor, while also having a nice shooting stroke with range on his shot, which allows him to set up defenders for his dribble drives. He has excellent quickness and explosiveness off the dribble, and can get into the lane and finish strong at the basket. He is a strong passer of the ball as well, and likes to get the ball to the open teammate on the floor. He pushes the ball up the floor to the open man as well. He is also a slick defender with quick hands and feet that plays passing lanes and gets his hands on the ball quite often. A high-energy guard prospect that also loves the game. Resembles NBA guard Dennis Smith Jr.
