Written by Adam Shoulders On July - 25 - 2010 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Memphis Roar had a chance to catch up with Class of 2013 prospect 6′4″ 196 lbs Chris Thomas of Princeton Day Academy in Maryland. Thomas is one of the country’s best rising sophomores and is already being recruited at the high-major level. After a troubled freshmen year at Denver’s Montbello High School in 2008, Thomas made a cross-country move to Maryland, landing at Princeton Day Academy and reclassifying to the class of 2013. It has been all uphill from there.
 
“Tennessee, Arizona (offered) and Memphis,” responded Thomas when asked for his favorites.

He said he likes all three schools’ style of play. “They fit my style of play; getting up and down the floor.” He also mentioned that he liked Memphis for the fact that the school has produced some NBA guards in the past such as Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, Elliot Williams, and Penny Hardaway.

Thomas, who is from the same area in Colorado as NBA star Chauncey Billups, has exploded onto the national scene this summer with good showings at the Nike Hoop Jamboree, Kentucky Hoopfest, Hoosier Shootout and now the Adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas. ESPN has him ranked as the number 3 prospect nationally for his class.

In an April 2010 evaluation, ESPN, Scouts Inc. had this to say about Thomas:

April, 2010: When Thomas turns it on, he can be one of the best players in the 2013 class. Chris is likely to have a breakout spring and summer on the AAU circuit because of his athleticism, skills, knowledge of the game and determination to win. He has a burst of speed and explosiveness that allows him to get into the lane against anyone. Chris is fearless when he attacks the basket. To avoid being blocked, he can maneuver the basketball in air to finish the lay-up or dunk. His favorite move to get past defenders is his left to right, long crossover, from 1st gear to 5th gear in a split second, to blow past his defender. Defensively, Chris made the best block of the weekend, rotating from weak side to block an opponent, while trying to dunk the ball and throw it back with authority. Chris still needs to work on improving his three point jump shot because he leans back on his shot and has an inconsistent follow through at times.

In two games out in Vegas(at the Adidas Super 64), Thomas went for 36 and 40 points, respectively. His Colorado Hawks 16’s team is 6-1 and finished 2nd in their U16 Pool P. Yesterday, they advanced to round two of tournament play, defeating the NC Rebels 73-58.