Adonis Thomas, a five star small forward who plays for Melrose in Memphis, Tennessee, has given his verbal commitment to play basketball for the University of Memphis. While many expected the Tigers to be the team that would eventually land Adonis Thomas, the commitment was still a relief for most of Tiger Nation. Josh Pastner and his staff focused their attention on Adonis Thomas at the expense of other recruits.
Landing Adonis Thomas was a great pick up for the University of Memphis for a couple of reasons. The first is his incredible talent. Adonis Thomas has been rated as high as the number one prospect in the country by some and is rarely seen outside of the top ten. He is a wonderful offensive player, but he is truly special because of what he can offer on defense and rebounding.
It's also important because for the second year in a row, Pastner was able to land Memphis's top recruit, last year he signed point guard Joe Jackson of White Station. What's even better is that Adonis Thomas is also academically focused and talented.
This commitment signifies many things to Tiger fans. The first is that Pastner's recruiting last year was not a fluke. While everyone considered him to be a great recruiter before accepting the head coaching job for Memphis, they also knew it's much easier to recruit for established coaches like Lute Olsen and John Calipari. Landing Adonis Thomas also showed that it will be very hard for other programs to land elite level talent from Memphis. Finally, the commitment made it clear that Memphis can land recruits that are concerned with the level of education that they will receive while in school.
The future looks bright, and fans have a reason to celebrate.
Showing posts with label Adonis Thomas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adonis Thomas. Show all posts
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Memphis recruiting.
I'm not here to talk about the top ranked recruiting class for 2010, and I'm not here to talk about the past recruiting success that Memphis has had. I'm here to talk about the recruits for 2011. I know what your thinking. It's a little early to start speculating on the 2011 class. You're absolutely right. I'm doing it anyway.
What must be taken into account is who will not be here. The players that will leave after 2010 will be Elliot Williams, assuming he doesn't have a break out NBA caliber season and jump the ranks this year, Wesley Witherspoon, Roburt Sallie, assuming he doesn't mind coming back as a 24 year old for 2010, and Will Coleman. That leaves us with a need for wings and a center.
Several of the nation's top recruits for 2011 are considering Memphis. In fact, the top ranked recruit overall is in that list. His name is Michael Gilchrist. He plays small forward for St. Patrick High School in New Jersey. His measurements are at 6-7, 190lbs. He is very explosive. His two best attributes has to be his ball handling skills, and his perimeter shot. He is also an excellent defender who gets his fair share of blocks. The interesting thing about Gilchrist is the he said he was coming to Memphis for sure last year. Of course, there was a coaching change that caused him to reevaluate his decisions. He currently lists both Memphis and Kentucky, among others, as teams he is considering.
Another top prospect that plays small forward and is interested in Memphis is Adonis Thomas. He plays for Melrose High School in Tennessee, but he is better known among Memphis fans for being a member of Memphis Magic, where he plays with current UofM commits Joe Jackson, Tarik Black, and Chris Crawford. He is ranked by scouts as the second best small forward behind Michael Gilchrist. He measures in at 6-5, 204lbs. He has a good midrange game, and his athleticism allow him to attack the rim with ease. He is also a great defender and is very unselfish with the ball. He has some moves that reminds one of a power forward, but he executes these moves with much greater speed. The thing Thomas needs to work on the most is his ball handling ability and perimeter shot. He reminds me of Witherspoon in that he seems most suited to play a hybrid 3/4 type position. It will be interesting to see if him or Gilchrist will be a higher priority for Memphis. Gilchrist is better but will most likely turn pro after one year. It might be better to keep Thomas around for the long run. Also, Thomas is from Memphis, and Pastner uses an inside out recruiting philosophy.
Johnny O'Bryant is also listing Memphis as a school he is considering. He is the top rated Center according to scouts. He is from East Side High School in Mississippi. His measurements are 6-9, 225. He has a deverse set of skills for a center. Of course, his best quality is his rebounding and shot blocking. However, he also can drive to the basket with ease, and I've seen him knock down a three pointer or two. His offense game doesn't always look polished, but it usually gets the job done.
Ky Madden is a shooting guard who is interested in the Tigers. He is rated by scouts as the 19th best shooting guard. He plays for East Poinsett County High School in Arkansas. He is listed at 6-5, 195lbs. He is very long and athletic. He posses great ball handling skills for his size. His best attribute is his ability to attack the rim. He can play and defend multiple positions.
Kendren Johnson is a point guard who is considering Memphis. He is ranked by scouts as the 41st best point guard in the nation. He plays for Marshall County High School in Tennessee. He is a true pure point guard. He has great court vision and loves to get his teammates involved. Look for this to be another Bruce Pearl and Josh Pastner recruiting battle.
What must be taken into account is who will not be here. The players that will leave after 2010 will be Elliot Williams, assuming he doesn't have a break out NBA caliber season and jump the ranks this year, Wesley Witherspoon, Roburt Sallie, assuming he doesn't mind coming back as a 24 year old for 2010, and Will Coleman. That leaves us with a need for wings and a center.
Several of the nation's top recruits for 2011 are considering Memphis. In fact, the top ranked recruit overall is in that list. His name is Michael Gilchrist. He plays small forward for St. Patrick High School in New Jersey. His measurements are at 6-7, 190lbs. He is very explosive. His two best attributes has to be his ball handling skills, and his perimeter shot. He is also an excellent defender who gets his fair share of blocks. The interesting thing about Gilchrist is the he said he was coming to Memphis for sure last year. Of course, there was a coaching change that caused him to reevaluate his decisions. He currently lists both Memphis and Kentucky, among others, as teams he is considering.
Another top prospect that plays small forward and is interested in Memphis is Adonis Thomas. He plays for Melrose High School in Tennessee, but he is better known among Memphis fans for being a member of Memphis Magic, where he plays with current UofM commits Joe Jackson, Tarik Black, and Chris Crawford. He is ranked by scouts as the second best small forward behind Michael Gilchrist. He measures in at 6-5, 204lbs. He has a good midrange game, and his athleticism allow him to attack the rim with ease. He is also a great defender and is very unselfish with the ball. He has some moves that reminds one of a power forward, but he executes these moves with much greater speed. The thing Thomas needs to work on the most is his ball handling ability and perimeter shot. He reminds me of Witherspoon in that he seems most suited to play a hybrid 3/4 type position. It will be interesting to see if him or Gilchrist will be a higher priority for Memphis. Gilchrist is better but will most likely turn pro after one year. It might be better to keep Thomas around for the long run. Also, Thomas is from Memphis, and Pastner uses an inside out recruiting philosophy.
Johnny O'Bryant is also listing Memphis as a school he is considering. He is the top rated Center according to scouts. He is from East Side High School in Mississippi. His measurements are 6-9, 225. He has a deverse set of skills for a center. Of course, his best quality is his rebounding and shot blocking. However, he also can drive to the basket with ease, and I've seen him knock down a three pointer or two. His offense game doesn't always look polished, but it usually gets the job done.
Ky Madden is a shooting guard who is interested in the Tigers. He is rated by scouts as the 19th best shooting guard. He plays for East Poinsett County High School in Arkansas. He is listed at 6-5, 195lbs. He is very long and athletic. He posses great ball handling skills for his size. His best attribute is his ability to attack the rim. He can play and defend multiple positions.
Kendren Johnson is a point guard who is considering Memphis. He is ranked by scouts as the 41st best point guard in the nation. He plays for Marshall County High School in Tennessee. He is a true pure point guard. He has great court vision and loves to get his teammates involved. Look for this to be another Bruce Pearl and Josh Pastner recruiting battle.
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