BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: WEST VIRGINIA

April 26, 2007


Commitment Alert: Will Thomas, 6'5 G, Shaw High in East Cleveland, Ohio


Bob Huggins' first priority on the recruiting trail after accepting the West Virginia job was to add size to the Mountaineer roster. After surveying the available talent, it was apparent that there was a lack of available players in the class that would fit his need and moved in another direction. Coach Huggins Signs First Basketball Recruit (Register-Herald) on Wednesday when it was announced that William “Will” Thomas, a highly rated 6-foot-5, 200-pound point guard from Shaw High in East Cleveland, Ohio signed a LOI during a recent visit to Morgantown.



Projected 2007-2008 Roster


Seniors: Darris Nichols (PG), Jamie Smalligan (BF/C)
Juniors: Joe Alexander (SF), Alex Ruoff (WF)
Sophomores: Joe Mazzula (PG), Cam Thoroughman (F), Wellington Smith (F), Desean Butler (WF), Devan Bawinkel (G), Jacob Green (BF), Jonnie West (G)
Freshmen: John Flowers (F), Will Thomas (G)




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Not much is known about Will Thomas, although he put up MONSTER numbers in the Lake Erie League averaging 24.6 points, 15.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 67 percent from the field. However, a broken leg suffered January 2nd cut short his season. As a junior he averaged 19.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 4.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Thomas played AAU basketball for the NE Ohio Ballers, earning MVP and all-tournament honors of the Adidas 65 tourney. Huggins, who himself was a 6'4 point guard in college, was attracted to Thomas' ability to see the floor as a 6'5 point guard.


Thomas joins John Flowers, the Waldorf, MD prospect who was a fast-rising player in the DC-area's powerful WCAC, as a member of the 2007 WVU class. Flowers signed last November when John Beilein was the coach, but he recently reassured coach Huggins he will honor his LOI. He chose WVU over other early offers from Virginia Tech, DePaul, Maryland and St. Joseph's, while other schools where showing more and more interest. Flowers is a true combo forward that can go inside against the smaller opponents or take to the perimeter against bigger players. This past season Flowers earned 1st team all-Met honors from the Washington Post after averaging 18 PPG and 13 rebounds a contest for St. Mary's Ryken.

With just two seniors on the roster for 2007-2008, Huggins and WVU enters the early evaluation period with only two scholarships for the 2008 class. It is likely that some players might find the new system to not be a fit for their style of play and leave the program, opening up more scholarships. Huggins likes more size and physical play with athletic talents, almost night and day from the system used by John Beilein. We will follow Huggins very closely on the recruiting trail this spring and into the summer as new WVU targets are likely to emerge often.

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