'06 NJ F Lance Thomas (Duke Verbal)

[jwinslow]

Ht: 6-8.5 Wt: 200 PPG: 17.0
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="12" width="255"> <tbody><tr> <td>Position: </td> <td align="right"> PF, SF </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="12" width="255"> <tbody><tr> <td>Projected as: </td> <td align="right"> PF, SF </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="12" width="255"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top">Position Rank: </td> <td align="right" valign="top">7</td> </tr></tbody> </table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="12" width="253"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top">Class: </td> <td align="right" valign="top">2006 Senior</td> </tr></tbody> </table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="12" width="259"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top"><nobr>AAU Team:</nobr> </td> <td align="right" valign="top">New Heights</td> </tr></tbody> </table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="24" width="256"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top"><nobr>High School:</nobr> </td> <td align="right" valign="top">St. Benedict Prep
(Newark, NJ)</td></tr></tbody> </table>
Rivals Profile
Scout Profile

Both KyleSLamb and ExclusiveClothes both think this is a definite possibility for the hotly contested 5th spot in 06.

Kyle will have an article on Thomas from Bucknuts within the next day or two.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Long, lean and athletic, Thomas plays hard and to win. A good scorer in the midrange, he has a quick first step to the basket. Ball handling is solid but needs to improve as a small forward. Defensively, Thomas moves his feet very well and has the length and spurtability to cover a lot of ground. Does need to get stronger and improve his shooting range.

Considered the #21 overall prospect in the 2006 class. Averaged 17 points a game as a Junior. Scouting Emerging in the second half of his high school career as a big time talent. Loves to face up and is a good player from mid-range. Rebounds inside and has a knack for getting to the line. JR Transferred to St. Benedict's from Scotch Plains Fanwood. Outstanding spring events and a solid summer. SOPH Attended 2003 Hoop Jamboree. Game is very diverse. Can pass, handle and working on his jumper. Has a fine feel for the game and is a high-major player with grades.

Rivals.com is listing offers from Arizona, UConn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Maryland, Rutgers, St. Johns, Syracuse, Virginia, Wake Forest

[jwinslow]

Our good buddy ExlusiveClothes had this to say on the Wake board....

"Apprently guys want to play with Conley and its to the point Matta may not have enough schollys for the players in 06."

"As for the other guys, Matta needs a PF and Young is a longshot at best. I would not be surprised to see Lance Thomas list OSU in the coming weeks or Derrick Caracter. I have heard both want to play with Conley. I would put my money on LT more so than DC."

He posted these things elsewhere:

From BN Free board:

Young is a LONGSHOT as best.
Yea Thomas can really play he is the best big man who isn't a threat to go pro.

I bet the Wake board will love reading this quote by EC:
HOnestly I don't know how he does it. Cook was a UNC lean, but Matta got him, Conley was a Wake lean, and it looks like Matta may get him also. Oden was a IU lean and Matta may get him too. I talk to alot of recruits and they just love the guy. The parents and other HS coaches like the guy also, he seems to be very high energy and always positive.

[aurorabuckeye13]

Looks kind of like his dreadlocks get in his face a little bit... I would imagine that would be kind of distracting, but he sounds like a good player.

[jwinslow]

UConn Recruiting

Lance is a 6'8" 195 pound small forward from Fanwood, New
Jersey where he attends Scotch Plains High School. Thomas
averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists per game as a
sophomore.

He is ranked the # 21 prospect overall and the # 7 small
forward in his class by Rivals Hoops.

Lance is excellent going to the basket and has a very good
midrange game. He is very solid scoring around the hoop and
has a terrific pump fake down low that gets him to the free
throw line at an amazing rate. Lance works very hard on the
court. He averaged over 14 free throw attempts per game
during his sophomore season because of his determined play
and great pump fake. He has also been consistent hitting the 15
foot jumper. He is working on improving his ball handling and
deep jumper for the college game.

Old article, but worth reading to get some insight into the person he is

Scout Free

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Lance Thomas

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</td> <td valign="top"> Thomas Taking It All In
By Evan Daniels Basketball Recruiting Editor
Date: Mar 8, 2005

Lance Thomas, who is rated 11th overall in the class of 2006, is being recruited heavily by Wake Forest and much of the ACC. Thomas spoke with Evan Daniels of DeaconSports.com and filled him in on his recruiting situation and his state title.
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The class of 2006 is loaded with talented big men, and Lance Thomas, of St. Benedict Prep, is right up there with the likes of Vernon Macklin, Kevin Durant, and Brandan Wright. Rated 6th at his position, Thomas is beginning to roll in the accolades, his latest being a state title. His high school won the State A Prep championship two weeks ago partly due to his play. Thomas scored 14 points and snagged 14 rebounds in the 71-61 victory.

“Individually I did really well (this year). I did a lot better than a lot of people said I would,” Thomas stated. “I’m just going to continue to get better.”

The 6-foot-8 forward is very mobile for his size and has the athletic ability to play at and above the basket as well as step out and knock down the jumper. With his size and versatility Thomas is being recruited by the heavyweights of college basketball.

According to Thomas, Arizona, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Duke, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and UConn are recruiting him the hardest. With all the letters and phone calls he receives, it can be a stressful time, but Thomas is just trying to live it up.

“I’ve been trying to take it all in and make it fun,” Thomas said. “I’m going to let it all fall into place. I don’t want to rush into anything.”

Thomas, who averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds a game, said he’s really looking for a college that will fit him, and he hopes to possibly major in architecture.

“They are all great programs,” Thomas replied. “I’m going to look for something that will separate one school from the other.”

When asked what elements would factor into his decision the most Thomas replied that he is just looking somewhere that is the right fit for him. “Most likely a place that makes me feel right at home and can get me to where I need to go, which is to be successful.”

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