He threw a punch at the sky, when the buzzer finally sounded. Then he shouted. Then he leaped – no, bounded was more like it – into the arms of one his coaches, Paul Gunsett.Bishop Luers junior Deshaun Thomas continues to collect accolades.
The 6-foot-7 basketball standout led the Knights to their second straight Class 2A state championship Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse, and Thomas will be presented with an individual national honor later this week.
The formal announcement will come Sunday that the Ohio State recruit was named to the fourth-team Parade magazine All-American team.
"I am looking forward to getting better and working on my game," Thomas said Saturday as he is looking toward winning a third consecutive state championship as a senior.
Thomas had 34 points and 15 rebounds in a 67-49 win over Brownstown Central in the 2A title game.
The four Parade All-American teams were selected by coaches, scouts, recruiters and media. The teams include 40 athletes from 18 states.
Named to the third team was former Warsaw player Mason Plumlee. The Duke recruit is a senior at Christ School in Arden, N.C.
Thomas is also expected to be named to the first-team All-State squad again this week.
"If Deshaun is willing to get in the gym and spend the extra time working on his game and bust his butt in practice, then it is worth it," Luers coach James Blackmon said of the honors coming Thomas’ way. "Sometimes you can do a lot of talking, but if you don’t back it up it doesn’t mean anything."
The recent accolades makes Thomas the favorite for next season’s Indiana Mr. Basketball award.
"As far as Mr. Basketball, I like to see someone having an impact on the team, but whoever is Mr. Basketball has a lot to prove," Blackmon said.
