By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com PublisherFollow Chris on Twitter @ChrisMWilliams
This is the point of the recruiting process when most guys start to become fatigued. The calls. The pitches. The traveling. Everything. Often times, it wears a prospect down.
Matt Thomas isn’t letting that happen to him though.
“It does get a little overwhelming and such but I’m still enjoying it,” said Thomas, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound combo-guard out of Onalaska, Wisc. “It’s a once in a lifetime thing when everybody wants you.”
This portion of Thomas’ career will likely come to an end this summer, when the 2013 prospect hopes to make his college decision.
Iowa State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virginia, Boston College, Marquette, Creighton, Nebraska, Northern Iowa and Wisconsin-Green Bay are all currently in the mix. That list could grow in the coming months with the AAU season about to go into full force.
Thomas took multiple unofficial visits to Iowa State during the 2011-12 season. Those days in Ames, along with the fact that Iowa State has been recruiting him as long as any school out there should put the Cyclones in this race to the very end.
“I’m just getting closer with Coach (Fred) Hoiberg and Coach (T.J. Otzelberger) Otz,” said Thomas. “I’m very comfortable with both of them. I liked watching them play in the NCAA Tournament and beating UConn. Kentucky was tough.”
Thomas has a visit scheduled at Virginia in a few weeks. Virginia’s head coach, Tony Bennett is a Wisconsin guy. He was born in Green Bay and played college ball at Wisconsin-Green Bay, hence the connection.
Thomas plays AAU ball for the Wisconsin Playmakers. Thomas recently scored 30 points in the Wisconsin Division 2 state championship game – a 55-38 win over Kaukauna.
“It was one of the best feelings of my life. It was awesome,” said Thomas.
Onalaska entered the year ranked No. 1 and stayed there all season long. We’ll keep you updated on Thomas’ recruitment throughout the coming months here at CycloneFanatic.com.
MCKAY LANDS TWO MORE OFERS: Another one of Iowa State’s top 2013 prospects picked up two Big Ten offers yesterday. Indiana and Illinois both came calling for Jameel McKay, a 6-foot-8, 190-pound forward out of Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa. McKay is a Milwaukee native.
McKay averaged 14.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game during his freshman season at Indian Hills. He was named a NJCAA All-American. McKay currently claims offers from Iowa State, Arkansas, Memphis, Marquette, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mckay told CycloneFanatic.com that Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg watched him play over the weekend. McKay took two unofficial visits to Iowa State during the 2011-12 season. What did he like about the trips?
“The style of play. The coaching staff. The whole environment,” said McKay.
McKay said that he plans on making his college decision by Oct. 1.
“I want to know before my sophomore season starts.”
