Snub doesn’t surprise KU signee

By Gary Bedore     Feb 21, 2008

Quintrell Thomas didn’t throw a temper tantrum Tuesday after learning he’d failed to land an invitation to the 31st-annual McDonald’s All-America basketball game, set for March 26 in Milwaukee.

“I didn’t expect to make it,” Thomas, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound Kansas University signee from St. Patrick High in Elizabeth, N.J., said a day after the hamburger game rosters were revealed.

“That team has been chosen since (my) sophomore year. People up there … you can never knock them out,” added Thomas, who is averaging approximately 17 points and nine boards a game for 22-4 St. Pat’s. “If I don’t play well … I was never expected to do well. If they don’t they just had a bad game.”

“They” are the blue-chippers deemed tops in their respective recruiting classes the past two or three years.

Thomas was speaking matter-of-factly in a phone interview with no bitterness in his voice. He entered his senior season unranked. He’s currently Rivals.com’s No. 147 player.

He recently received a grade of 87 by Scouts, Inc., a recruiting service that provides scouting reports to ESPN Insider. The 87 ranking puts Thomas in the “outstanding prospect” category – meaning he “has the ability to create mismatches against most opponents and could contribute as a true freshman.”

Thomas said he believes he will be invited to the Jordan Classic, set for April 19, at Madison Square Garden. If he doesn’t play in that game, he has heard he’ll be in the Kentucky Derby Festival classic the same date in Louisville.

“Our team is progressing more and more,” Thomas said of the St. Pat’s Celtics, who are led by Thomas and guard Dexter Strickland, a 6-3 junior headed to North Carolina.

“At the beginning of the season, people were passing me the ball (all the time). I went into a four-game slump when I didn’t play well. Strickland and others picked it up. I’m out of the slump now. I had 21 the other night (in a 76-66 victory over Rahway). We’ve got a lot of people playing well now.”

Thomas – his big game on a national scope came on Jan. 13 when he scored 25 points with 13 rebounds in a 64-56 victory over St. Raymond of New York at Madison Square Garden – has been playing the post position.

“I have to play the five (spot) to contribute rebounding and scoring inside,” said Thomas. My perimeter mid-range shot has been good. But every game I’m mainly going to rebound, block shots.”

Thomas said he’s having a blast his final season.

“I wish I had another year of high school sometimes,” he said, while acknowledging he’s been following KU’s team closely.

“Ever since they lost … I don’t think anybody wants to be responsible for them losing again,” Thomas said. “I’m hoping they (Jayhawks) will win every game. I think they will if the continue to play hard and stay together.”

He admits having some butterflies about heading to KU this summer.

“It’s a long way to travel to go to college, but I’m excited about it, too,” Thomas said.

He said there may be a bright spot to not being tapped a McDonald’s All-American.

“If I made it, I’d have to prove I deserve to be there,” Thomas said. “Now I’ve got to prove I’m good enough to play there (KU).”

Thomas – he chose KU over Rutgers, UNLV, St. John’s and others – recently received a glowing report from Rob Senderoff of Scouts, Inc.

Senderoff wrote: “Thomas continued his stellar senior season and dominated the paint against Blair Academy at the 2008 Lehigh Valley Showcase. Not only did he have 26 points, but he also contributed with six offensive rebounds, two steals and three blocks. He contested almost every shot taken in the paint and finished strong around the rim.

“Thomas has improved in every aspect of his game from last season and plays with a ton of confidence. He is clearly the focal point of St. Pat’s offense and is playing with reckless abandon. Thomas is still a little raw with his post moves, but you simply can not give him an angle to the rim or it is going to be a dunk. As he works on his game, his skill level is sure to improve – the sky is the limit for this kid.”

PREV POST

6Sports video: KU women take on Texas Tech tonight

NEXT POST

28157Snub doesn’t surprise KU signee