The Phoenix College basketball program, led by the leadership of head coach Matt Gordon, is fresh off a national championship performance this past season, and now, as a result, they are able to attract much better basketball talent to the program. While the program is filled with talented prospects, recently the Bears received a national letter of intent signing from top-rated guard prospect, Desert Ridge High School's 6-foot-3 senior combo-guard prospect Hunter Thomas.
Thomas turned in consecutive strong junior seasons and senior seasons for himself, and developed into one of the hottest guard prospects in the state. A unique athletic talent, Thomas reeled in serious division-I interest for himself, before realizing that he would have to head the junior college route - due to not qualifying academically after being home-schooled throughout his life. As a result, Thomas decided to end his college recruitment before the spring evaluation period - signing with the Division-II junior college program, rather than compete during the spring evaluation period.
Previously, Thomas had received an offer from the University of Texas Pan-American, and also received serious recruiting interest from such college programs as Pitt, Idaho State, Boston University, UC-Davis and Eastern Washington.
Thomas was terrific this high school season – leading his ball-club 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.
During his senior season, Thomas exploded – averaging 23.4 points and 5.2 assists per/game. Terrific numbers for an ultra-athletic guard prospect.
Last summer (2013), Thomas faired very well at the prestigious Reebok Breakout Camp in Philly - holding his own amidst strong national competition. Look for Thomas to develop a great deal over time as he gains physical strength and natural maturity.
Congratulations to Thomas on his signing with Phoenix College. Look for Thomas to immediately become one of the top guard prospects in the ACCAC next season.
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.
