Tyrus Thomas Seeing Benefits of Summer Play

Tyrus Thomas, a long and lanky 6-foot-8, 175 pound forward loves Orlando. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native was one of the surprise standouts at both the AAU Super Showcase and Nationals. Before his trip to the Sunshine State, the McKinley HS star had interest in, well, no one. After his play in the final summer events, that has changed.

Thomas, a versatile and bouncy player, wowed coaches with his attention to the small details and selfless play on the hardwood. He has the ability to slash in from the wing as well as knocking down the mid range shot. But that isn’t his bread and butter.

“My defense stands out more and I know coaches love defense,” Thomas said. “I can score if I really wanted to but I’d rather let the other guy have the limelight if he’s feeling it. I’d rather get the five blocks and 10 rebounds.”

Those five blocks and 10 rebounds impressed schools such as LSU, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Oregon State, Boston College and “all the in state schools”, Thomas said. “I play at LSU all the time down at the student center. It’s so close I just walk there.”

He said all of the schools have offered a scholarship. Thomas has only taken one official visit so far, going to Blacksburg, VA. He took in the sights at Virginia Tech back on August 30.

“I thought it went pretty good. I really like the academic side of it,” Thomas said. “Overall, I thought the environment, that small town feel, was nice. I really like that.”

With a move to the basketball friendly ACC on the horizon, Virginia Tech has been able to use the conference angle in recruiting. But for Thomas, he said the switch over doesn’t matter.

“I don’t get too caught up in the conference stuff. I just want to go out there and play,” Thomas said. “Sometimes when guys go to big name schools they don’t like it. That kind of defeats the purpose (of going there).”

Western Kentucky, Virginia Tech and North Texas have all made a trip to Baton Rouge for an in home visit. Thomas said he’d like to go on a few more official trips before the season gets underway. He’s not in a rush either. A decision isn’t something he’s ready to make unless he gets a feeling telling him otherwise.

“It has to feel right,” Thomas said. “But right now everybody is on the same level. Nobody is ahead of anybody.”