The state of Arizona is always filled with top-rated talent that soars under the recruiting radar, and, as of late, several of these underrated prospects have turned in consistent big performances to raise their overall level of recruitment. After big performances recently this season, Desert Ridge High School's gifted 6-foot-3 senior combo-guard Hunter Thomas would turn in his best performance of the season on Friday evening, in his team's big 93-81 road victory over McClintock High School.
In the win, Thomas would finish with a game-high 38 points on 13 of 16 shooting from the field. In the performance, Thomas would seem to score easily against the young and talented group from McClintock - proving that he has no problem defending or scoring against smaller, athletic guards.
In attendance for the game was University of Texas Pan-American associate head coach Andy Hipsher, who came to see just how good Thomas was after hearing of Thomas' recent scoring outbursts this high school season. Hipsher was impressed with Thomas enough to extend an offer to Thomas after the game - his first division-I offer.
Thomas will also be receiving a visit to Arizona from an assistant coach from Pitt very soon, and is also hearing from Idaho State, Boston University, UC-Davis and Eastern Washington, with many more schools looking to get involved soon.
Thomas has been terrific this high school season – recently leading his ballclub to a nice runner-up championship finish in this year’s McClintock Holiday Shootout. In the process, Thomas put up big scoring numbers in the tournament, including 25 points in a win over Basha HS, 34 points in a win over Brophy Prep and then 28 points in the tournament’s championship game – a narrow loss to Perry HS.
Last season as a junior that burst on to the basketball scene in Arizona, Thomas pumped in career-highs in several statistical categories - averaging impressive individual numbers. Thomas poured in a team-high 18.7 points, 4.1 assists and 6.2 rebounds per/game during his junior season. Thomas came up big against stiff competition as well – scoring 35 points in a loss to Dobson HS, 39 points in a loss to Perry HS and 39 points in a loss to Brophy Prep.
This season, Thomas has exploded – averaging 23.4 points and 5.2 assists per/game. Terrific numbers for an ultra-athletic prospect that competed very well this summer at the prestigious Reebok All-American Camp in Philly.
Thomas has developed into one of the state’s premier basketball talents this high school season, and look for him to begin to reel in more scholarship offers very soon.
Thomas is also an excellent student and a full academic qualifier already with a 3.6 CUM GPA.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Thomas is a shifty point guard prospect with a very slick handle of the basketball and an ability to score the basketball at a high rate. A unique offensive talent with superb athleticism and quickness, Thomas is very difficult to defend, as a result of his ability to make plays off the dribble towards the basket and shoot the basketball from the perimeter with dribble moves to get by or around defenders. Thomas uses a variety of cross-over dribbles, hesitation dribbles, head fakes and jab steps to get his defenders off balance – making him a herky, jerky guard prospect that utilizes angles to make plays. Thomas is also a very good passer of the basketball and has excellent court vision – making his teammates better on the floor. He is also a good defender and has good overall lateral quickness and quick hands with good court anticipation to make steals on the floor. Thomas will definitely be a point guard prospect at the next level, but his ability to score the basketball will also allow for him to play both guard positions at the next level - although it will have to be right college program for himself. This young man has already proven that he is worthy of consideration among the state’s best individual talents in a loaded 2014 class.
