[Buckskin86]

Published: June 17, 2009
What summer vacation?
Thomas, Byrd will travel to elite hoops camps
Greg JonesHigh school sports editor

Agenda
NBPA Top 100 Camp
When: Today-Saturday
Where: Charlottesville, Va.

Vince Carter Skills Academy
When: June 23-26
Where: Orlando, Fla.

LeBron James Skills Academy
When: July 5-9
Where: Akron, Ohio

Two future Big Ten basketball players, Bishop Luers? Deshaun Thomas and Blackhawk Christian?s Russell Byrd, will be putting their skills on display over the next month at some of the most prestigious basketball camps in the nation.

?It is going to be a busy summer,? said Thomas, who will also fit in an invitation to play at the famed Rucker Park in Harlem. ?I am just out here to compete and that?s what I have to do. I am just ready to have fun, play ball and get better.?


Thomas is ranked No. 14 in Rivals.com?s Top 100 players in the class of 2010, while Byrd is at No. 78. The NBPA camp also includes Brandon Knight (No. 1), Harrison Barnes (No. 2), Jared Sullinger (No. 3) and Tristian Thompson (No. 4), among others.


Thomas was the state?s leading scorer last season with 30.2 points and helped the Knights to a second straight Class 2A state championship. With 2,254 career points, Thomas is 880 away from Damon Bailey?s all-time mark of 3,134.


?I just want to bring my ?A? game and get my rep up there and just get ready for college competition,? Thomas said.

What summer vacation_ | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.