Kevin Thomas: Juco PF, former Texas commit

[ajb5856]

I think Miles is being careful here. An offer should be coming but coach has to be sure. There is risk bringing in a JUCO and Miles had to be absolutely certain that Thomas can be an impact B1G player for us immediately next season. He busts and you've just wasted a spot that could've gone to a talented 2014 big when better prospects are more readily available, prospects we've been building relationships with for a longer period of time. This is about more that just filling a void because we need another big body on the roster. It shouldn't be forgotten that Miles can play small. Miles is gonna make sure he's sure. He's not gonna gamble years 3 and 4 away just because he had to fill a roster spot with a tall guy. He's pondering all options and think through all the possible consequences and ramifications.

[FredsSlacks]

I think Miles is being careful here. An offer should be coming but coach has to be sure. There is risk bringing in a JUCO and Miles had to be absolutely certain that Thomas can be an impact B1G player for us immediately next season. He busts and you've just wasted a spot that could've gone to a talented 2014 big when better prospects are more readily available, prospects we've been building relationships with for a longer period of time. This is about more that just filling a void because we need another big body on the roster. It shouldn't be forgotten that Miles can play small. Miles is gonna make sure he's sure. He's not gonna gamble years 3 and 4 away just because he had to fill a roster spot with a tall guy. He's pondering all options and think through all the possible consequences and ramifications.

This kid is not a reach. He had offers from Texas, Georgetown, Marquette, Colorado, Oregon, NC state, and many more. He's averaging a double double on one of the top JUCO teams in a little over 20 min a game. NU need some big guys that can help right away because there is going to be a lot of talent on the perimeter next year. Atewe would not be a significant contributor until he is a junior.

[hskr4life]

It is tough.  Sure he would help for 2 years if he was good, but what about the guy we could of had for 4 that now went somewhere else because we did not have an open scholie.  There is a lot more to this game than just offering.  It is just as strategic as the basketball game itself.

[Norm Peterson]

If you look at the videos, there's no comparison between what Kevin Thomas can do and what Matt Atewe can do on the basketball floor. 

 

I know I've said I'd like us to hold a couple extra spots for the 2014 class on top of what will come available when Gallegos graduates.  But I think some long-term planning suggests you try to get some good solid players in now and then plan for the 2015 class as well.  Thomas has put up some decent numbers.  His videos suggest he has some skills.  His rebounding numbers indicate he's willing to play inside and isn't one of these tall guys who thinks he has to be a 3 (cough cough Akoy Agau cough cough).  So, if Miles says he wants both Atewe and Thomas, I wouldn't object.

 

I think Thomas would make a more immediate impact.  That would give us, I think, 3 juniors for next year.  That'd be OK.

[Norm Peterson]

If you can get over the choppiness of the video, I think he shows some good skills here.

 

[hskr4life]

If we would happen to sign Attewe and Thomas... and say Menke transfers or his scholie is only a 1 year deal... how many scholies does that leave us for 2014?

[FredsSlacks]

I think only 1 since ray is the only senior next year. I'm guessing that at least one player will transfer though, so it would probably be 2.

[Norm Peterson]

I would almost guarantee that Menke's scholarship was a one year deal.  We had the spot available and it was nice to reward him. But that's a one year deal because we won't have extra spots next year.

 

Ray is the only senior next year.  We have two extra spots right now (including Menke's.)  The three kids we've already signed replace the three seniors on this year's team.  If we don't take any more players in this class, then we'll have Ray's spot, Menke's spot and the extra open spot to use on 2014.

 

In other words, any more guys signed yet in this class takes away from what we could sign for 2014.  If we sign no other players and no one leaves early, then we'd have three spots to use for the 2014 class.  So, do the math from there for any other additions/sutractions.  

[TheKamdyMan]

I would almost guarantee that Menke's scholarship was a one year deal.  We had the spot available and it was nice to reward him. But that's a one year deal because we won't have extra spots next year.

 

Ray is the only senior next year.  We have two extra spots right now (including Menke's.)  The three kids we've already signed replace the three seniors on this year's team.  If we don't take any more players in this class, then we'll have Ray's spot, Menke's spot and the extra open spot to use on 2014.

 

In other words, any more guys signed yet in this class takes away from what we could sign for 2014.  If we sign no other players and no one leaves early, then we'd have three spots to use for the 2014 class.  So, do the math from there for any other additions/sutractions.  

 

If we dont sign any the rest of the year NU could sign 4 as you can over sign by one per B1G rules.  So even if we fill both spots this year we could still sign two next fall.  Obviously though if no one were to leave then the speculation would really blow up on who is the odd man out by signing two with only one true spot available.

[hskr4life]

Here is another question.  Is there anyone on the team who would qualify for an academic scholarship?  Is that even legal to give someone an academic scholaship to allow for another to be placed on a basketball scholarship?

[Huskerpapa]

Here is another question.  Is there anyone on the team who would qualify for an academic scholarship?  Is that even legal to give someone an academic scholaship to allow for another to be placed on a basketball scholarship?

I would have to look it up to be sure, but I do believe you are limited in schollie $$$ to teams.  Otherwise, you could have chaos and and unbelievable manipulation of that money.  But I could be wrong...

[Swan88]

The Regent's scholarship is based on test scores and academic qualifications.  Am pretty sure that a Regent's scholarship would not count against the athletic scholarship number limitation, provided the athlete actually qualifies for the scholarship without any athletics consideration. 

[MandRHusker]

I have read claims on other sites that academic scholarships also count against the total alotment for the team.

[MichHusker]

That must just be a Division 1 thing then. Division 2 coaches do whatever they can to get athletes academic money so it doesn't count against their limit

[Swan88]

I have read claims on other sites that academic scholarships also count against the total alotment for the team.

 

Don't know what the "other sites" might be, but here is the operative NCAA Division I Rule on the subject (Bylaw 15.5.1.2--see page 97)--it appears that the first rule governs a student's first year and the exception governs the following years:

 

15.5.1.2 Football or Basketball, Varsity Competition.

In football or basketball, a student-athlete who was recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution and who receives institutional financial aid (as set forth in Bylaw 15.02.4.1) granted without regard in any degree to athletics ability does not have to be counted until the student-athlete engages in varsity intercollegiate competition (as opposed to freshman, B-team, subvarsity, intramural or club competition) in those sports. For this provision to be applicable, there shall be on file in the office of the athletics director certification by the faculty athletics representative, the admissions officer and the chair of the financial aid committee that the student’s admission and financial aid were granted without regard in any degree to athletics ability. (Revised: 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93, 1/11/94, 6/20/04, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

 

15.5.1.2.1 Exception—Receipt of Institutional Academic Aid Only.

In football or basketball, student-athlete who was recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution and whose only source of institutional financial aid is academic aid based solely on the recipient’s academic record at the certifying institution, awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution, may compete without counting in the institution’s financial aid team limits, provided he or she has completed at least one academic year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution and has achieved a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale) at the certifying institution. (Adopted: 10/27/05 effective 8/1/06, Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)

[Creighton Fan]

Swan,

 

I could be wrong (and probably am) but the first rule sounds like a greyshirt situation.  If the kid plays in any games, it sounds like he counts.

 

In reality, I suspect these rules are rarely used because they will most certainly bring a lot of NCAA scrutiny.  If I were a betting man, I'd guess schools would rather avoid that and just give the athletic scholarships unless a kid had a perfect score on the ACT/SAT.

[TheKamdyMan]

Kids that use these scholarships tend to be walk-ons that can contribute in practice for the first few years before maybe cracking the playing time.  As soon as they then play they must forfeit the scholarship money.

[GATA]

Dang, every time I see this thread updated I hope it's because he committed or something.

 

[seaofred92]

Brian Rosenthal just tweeted Kevin Thomas might be visiting on Feb 16. HUGE.

[TheKamdyMan]

Brian Rosenthal just tweeted Kevin Thomas might be visiting on Feb 16. HUGE.

 

Thats my birthday so its only fitting. present to me for Husker hoops.

[huskas4real]

Washut tweeted that Thomas plans on a Nebraska official visit and is hopefully on the 16th

[FredsSlacks]

great news. Mich st game should be a great environment. We need Thomas more than Atewe in my opinion.

[49r]

[Norm Peterson]

Washut tweeted that Thomas plans on a Nebraska official visit and is hopefully on the 16th

 

That's the day after the HOF banquet, so the biggest names in Husker hoops history will be around that weekend.

[Norm Peterson]

Washut tweeted that Thomas plans on a Nebraska official visit and is hopefully on the 16th

 

That's the day after the HOF banquet, so the biggest names in Husker hoops history will be around that weekend.

OK, reading that back, it sounds a little less impressive than I had intended.