NBA Comparison:

Strengths: Long and athletic forward that has a lot of defensive potential … Possesses a good physical profile … Runs the floor well … Has the lateral quickness to stay in front of ball-handlers … Doesn’t get beat off the dribble easily … Excellent leaping ability … Explosive player that gets off the ground very quickly … Has great body control and finishing ability at the rim … An easy target for lob passes and ally-oops … Shows a good understanding of cutting to the rim without the ball and making himself available for the pass … Hits the glass hard … Averaged 8.1 rebounds per game in 2010-2011 … Uses his long 7’0.5" wingspan and explosiveness to block a lot of shots (2.0) and disrupt the defense … Always active on both ends of the court … Unselfish player that knows his role …

Weaknesses: A tweener … Doesn’t have the skills to play on the perimeter or the size to play in the post … Needs to add strength … Struggles when guarding bigger players in post-up situations … Not a good shooter … Easy player to defend due to his offensive limitations … Limited range … Only made four three-pointers in his entire college career … Not much of a ball-handler … Needs others to create for him …

Overall: Thomas is an interesting prospect but he won’t be able to contribute in the NBA until he develops some kind of an offensive game … If he were to develop a consistent three-point shot, Thomas could be a valuable player in a good team’s rotation … An organization in the late second round might be willing to take that chance …

Tyler Ingle 6/23/11