St. John’s basketball reaches back out to JUCO standout Michael Thomas
The St. John’s basketball program has reached back out to junior college standout Michael Thomas.
Sometimes you cannot pass up an option once you get a second opportunity and that’s what Mike Anderson and the St. John’s Red Storm look to be doing on the recruiting trail.
Junior college standout Michael Thomas decommitted from Houston on Sunday and announced he will be reopening his recruitment.
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Coaches rushed to the phones to reach back out to the Kilgore College (TX) standout as the 6-foot-4 guard shortly received an offer from Mississippi State following his decommitment as heard from St. John’s, New Mexico State, San Diego State, Iona, Georgia, DePaul, and Texas A&M, according to multiple reports.
Jake Weingarten of Stock Risers was the first to report the Red Storm’s interest in Thomas.
Head coach Mike Anderson and St. John’s were also in contact with Michael Thomas prior to his commitment to Houston, but never officially extended an offer.
Aside from Mississippi State and Houston, Thomas also held offers from Ole Miss, Seton Hall, Georgia, Wichita State, SMU, Cal State Bakersfield, Troy, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Grambling State, and Southern.
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A member of the Class of 2021, Michael Thomas had a sensational first season in junior college, averaging 14.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 51.9 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from 3-point range, but just 64.8 percent from the free throw line.
St. John’s only has one commitment in the Class of 2021, 6-foot-7 forward Drissa Traore, but Mike Anderson continues to try and add to that with talented players from across the country.
The Red Storm struggled shooting from the perimeter last season and while the expectation is that the team will improve from 3-point range in 2020-21, more shooters are always welcomed on any basketball team.
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There has been no indication from Michael Thomas when to expect another decision by, but it will be interesting to follow to see if St. John’s will extend an offer or not.