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Could Blackhawk Christian’s Russell Byrd and Bishop Luers’ Deshaun Thomas, two of the nation’s best juniors, be collegiate basketball teammates?
It’s a real possibility.
Thomas, ranked No. 7 in the Class of 2010 by Rivals.com, has orally committed to Ohio State, and Byrd, ranked 22nd nationally, has narrowed his college choices down to five, including Ohio State.
Also on Byrd’s list are: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State and Michigan.
“(Byrd) has gotten to know Deshaun a little bit over this past year,” Russell’s dad, Kelly, said. “He thinks a lot of him. (Ohio State) has talked with Russell, and they have been real clear and open with him that they would love to have him and Deshaun together.
“Russell feels like that would be OK. Initially maybe growing up basketball-wise in Fort Wayne these last few years obviously in Deshaun’s shadow, I think maybe early on he thought about what it would be like if it ever transpired. But recently as far as he has come along with his game and the opportunities he is going to have and the way the next couple of years could play out, the whole shadow thing has gone away. He’s worked very hard and made a name for himself and a reputation.”
Kelly Byrd said the Buckeyes envision Russell playing on the wing and using the 6-foot-7 Thomas as a 3 or 4 position with more responsibilities inside.
“They don’t see them at all as the same type of player,” Kelly said.
There is no guarantee Byrd will choose the Buckeyes, who already have an oral commitment from Jared Sullinger, ranked third in the 2010 Class.
Byrd still has trips to Michigan State and Indiana in the works, as well as watching Kentucky’s Midnight Madness in a couple of months.
“He’s got some choices,” Kelly Byrd said. “Between the AAU season a year ago, then spring and summer and the school season, and then the AAU season that just concluded; in that time frame, he ended up with 11 or 12 offers. We took that approach that the ones he was interested in, places he could see himself playing; we tried to figure out ways to get there.”
The 6-6 Byrd has gotten attention by playing well during the AAU and summer seasons, as well as averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game for the Braves as a sophomore.
Kelly Byrd said his son wants to make a decision after he completes his junior season in March.
“He felt like it would be better for him and the other schools if he just whittled it down,” Kelly said. “He doesn’t want to stretch it out. He is probably not going to be a ‘three hats under the table press conference in his senior year’ kind of deal. That’s not his style and not his personality.
“He will do better when he has it all figured out, and he is able to prepare for it.”
gjones@jg.net
