Photo by Brad Luttrell / Commerical Appeal
Adonis Thomas in a 2009 file photo.
MEMPHIS — The University of Memphis will have the last crack at wooing hometown star Adonis Thomas when the Melrose High forward concludes a five-stop recruiting trip with a visit to FedExForum on Oct. 15 for Memphis Madness.
Thomas, a highly rated 6-6, 205-pound wing player who recently dropped Kansas from his list of finalists, will also make official visits to Tennessee (this weekend), Arkansas (on Sept. 24), UCLA (on Oct. 2) and Florida (on Oct. 9).
"At first we didn't have Memphis (scheduled) for an official visit because, you know, we've been up there plenty of times," Thomas' father, Eric Thomas, said Tuesday. "But with Kansas out, we're going to use that (official) visit on Memphis for Midnight Madness."
Thomas, whom Sporting News ranks the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2011, has made multiple unofficial visits to Memphis.
Two summers ago, he played alongside three 2010 Tigers signees (Joe Jackson, Chris Crawford and Tarik Black) on a Memphis Magic Elite AAU squad that won the 2009 Adidas Super 64 Tournament in Las Vegas.
Eric Thomas said his son's recruitment has become less hectic since he narrowed his college list to six schools last month at the Boost Mobile Elite 24 all-star event in Venice Beach, Calif.
"It's easier now. The calls have slacked down now because once you make your cut, everybody else goes on to try to recruit other players," Eric Thomas said.
Thomas, now a two-time gold medalist after helping Team USA win the 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Germany in July, averaged 19.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.3 blocks and 3.7 steals as a junior last season for Class AAA state champion Melrose.
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Comments » 10
nola_vol writes:
For some reason, I think what Thomas sees during Midnight Madness at Memphis is going to end up working in favor of UTArkUCLAFla...
jakethevolguy writes:
How so?
nola_vol writes:
Obviously, this is just my opinion, but...
80% of the impression Thomas comes away with from experiencing Midnight Madness in Memphis will come from the crowd in the stands.
What will be given voice there, unintentionally, will be the Memphis community's instilled expectation that local players WILL REMAIN local players. Sure, there will be a lot of "love" shown Adonis' way, but it will be the kind of love that carries implied demands--sort of an entitlement mentality--that Memphis fans feel entitled to watch "their" players "play for them."
The "love" shown Adonis at other campuses will be the enticing kind, something along the lines of "we want you" and "please become one of us."
The message Thomas will get from the crowd at Memphis will be a bit more demanding: "you ARE one of us--why are you even thinking about leaving?"
The fact that Adonis has a father active in his life should, it seems to me, make him much less susceptible to the "Memphis-is-your-home-and-we-are-your-family" appeal.
Ultimately, the Thomas men are going to settle on a situation where Adonis can commit totally to his team's (and coaches') goals, with confidence that, in so doing, his personal & career goals will be fully served in the process.
Even if Memphis meets that standard, the question will remain for Adonis, "But will I grow as a person in this environment?"
volunteers4life writes:
It seems to have worked in Memphis' favor every other previous year. Ask anyone that recruited Jackson, Barton, Crawford, Black, etc.. last year.
I'm pulling for UT on this one, but I believe he is already Memphis bound.
volunteers4life writes:
You seem to be grasping at straws, Nola. Move on to the next one because Adonis is likely a Tiger.
Volunatic writes:
Any guesses on whether he's a "one and done"?
If so, it wouldn't break my heart if he went elsewhere. I prefer rooting for guys like Wayne Chism and Chris Lofton over rooting for guys like DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Odom.
volunteers4life writes:
I don't see Thomas as a one and done. I think he will be similar to Joe Jackson in that he will need to work on his game a bit before he enters the draft. Who knows though, he plays for a pretty good high school, and we all know how awesome the conference usa opponents can make a kid look, if he does end up at Memphis. Pastner has been pretty clear that Thomas is his #1 target this year, this is why I doubt anyone can pull Thomas away from Memphis at this point. I guess you never know though, look at Elliot Williams decision to head to Duke, rather than UM. I'm sure he faced similar pressures and still chose a different route, even though he eventually ended up at Memphis anyway.
Volunatic, I agree about the one and dones. I have no desire to invest my time as a fan rooting for one and dones, the school doesn't mean squat to these kids. I prefer to watch players that leave everything they have on the floor night in and out. BTW, cannot stand Cousins, Wall, etc... If I know a team has a one and done on the roster it seems to unconsciously make me pull for the opponent. I guess this is due to my preconceived notions on the subject.
Go Vols! Let's whip some Duck-@** this weekend!!!
nola_vol writes:
Gee... all that writing suddenly seems irrelevant to the situation.
How would you like to be Adonis' dad... having to assume that every person you talk to about your son's future is lying?
There should be a support group for parents of 4- and 5-star recruits!
CUSA_NEWS writes:
Has Bruce had a UT player drafted yet???
Surely one?? Oh wait, I see the goose (egg) following the gander (the answer).
nola_vol writes:
I can't put my finger on it, Nada, but you seem to have a rather negative self-identity. ;-)
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