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It's hard to imagine there is anything a player can learn after averaging nearly 30 points and 14 rebounds per game. But consider 6-foot-7 Bishop Luers sophomore standout DeShaun Thomas was just a freshman a year ago.
All the left-handed Thomas did was go out and put up a state second-best 28.9 points and a third-best 13.3 rebounds, set a school record with 45 points and finish the regular season with a buzzer-beater against North Side to keep the Redskins from sharing the SAC title.
Then in the postseason, Thomas helped the Knights past SAC-champion Bishop Dwenger en route to the school's first sectional championship. After everything was finished, he earned third-team All-State honors, one of just three underclassmen, and the lone freshman. He was also the first freshman since James Hardy to be named All-SAC.
But Thomas said there is more to go, which isn't good news for the rest of the SAC and Class 2A (which the school dropped to this season.)
“I learned a lot from last year, how dudes play and how fast the game is,” he said. “I think this year I will hang with it, and I think I will do pretty well. I will just play ball and play hard and do what I have to do to win games.”
He will also tell you lessons were learned in the recruiting game as well.
After falling in love with Ohio State, he made an oral commitment to the school. About a week later, though, he opened the door again for other schools. Maybe not wide open, but cracked ajar ever so slightly.
“Right now, I am just wanting to play ball,” he said. “I am worried about high school. I am just quiet on recruiting for a bit.
“The reason I said that was because anything can change my junior or senior year. I am just keeping my options open, but I am really feeling Ohio State right now.”
There have been visits to Indiana and Michigan State, but the Buckeyes always seem to end up on top of the list.
“I learn more and more about it,” Thomas said of recruiting. “Every college I go to, I really like it but there is just something about Ohio State. They made me so happy when I went there.”
The individual numbers may or not may not improve this year, but Thomas said he is focused on the team goals, such as an SAC title and further playoff success.
Then there is a possible 2A state title, about the only way the Knights could manage to top last year's postseason.
“We are a good team, and we are a little more athletic,” Thomas said. “We can win state this year. We were so young last year, and we got everybody coming back. That feels great.”
There is also a trip to Indianapolis as the Knights play in the Circle City Classic against Howe on Dec. 8 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
“I am always ready for a challenge,” he said. “I just keep my mind on the game.
“Basketball is basketball. They might have kids who are faster, but our defense just has to change that.”
