Basketball

Matt Thomas talks offer, Iowa State

By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com Publisher

T.J. Otzelberger is hunting for future Cyclones in the state of Wisconsin again.

Last week, Iowa State’s associate head coach extended a scholarship offer to Matt Thomas, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard out of Onalaska. Thomas will be a junior next school year, making him a member of college basketball’s class of 2013.

Think Scott Christopherson.

Christopherson, who was named Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball in 2007-08, played in the same conference (Aquinas) as Onalaska High School when Thomas was a kid.

“I watched him when I was young,” Thomas said. “He used to make it rain from everywhere.”

“I am a lot like him. I’m the shooting guard type.”

Christopherson has one more year of eligibility at Iowa State. Thomas would be a fitting replacement for one of his childhood idols down the road.

Because of that and other connections, Thomas has actually attended a few games at Iowa State over the past few years too. For only being a junior, Thomas is familiar with Iowa State.

Thomas averaged 16.4 points per game during his sophomore season, while shooting 41.4 percent from 3-point range. His Onalaska team went 23-3 on the season.

As of now, Iowa State is the only high-major school that has offered Thomas. He currently holds additional offers from Creighton and Northern Iowa. Don’t be surprised if Wisconsin and Minnesota jump in the mix soon, as Thomas said he has been speaking with both schools regularly.

“I have no timetable on this,” Thomas said.

CycloneFanatic.com will be sure to keep you updated on his recruitment.

@cyclonefanatic