Freshman Adonis Thomas to return for sophomore season
AP: Photo by: Lance Murphy
As widely reported, University of Memphis Tigers freshman and former McDonald's high school All-American Adonis Thomas announced he'll return for his sophomore season on Wednesday. Citing 'unfinished business' as his reason to give fans and supporters of the program one more season, Thomas felt it was better for him to stay.
"I stayed because it was the best decision for my family and for the team we have coming back," Thomas said. "I was wavering because of the injury that I had and the scouts didn't really get a chance to evaluate me the way that they needed to."
Not only did Thomas's ankle play a big part in him deciding to play another year, but scouts were saying that his stock wasn't as high because he wasn't exposed enough. Thomas noted that he was expected to be anywhere from a late first-round pick to not even being selected at all.
But also, Thomas also feels as though he let city of Memphis down because they didn't get to see him play a lot of games.
"I felt like I owe the city another year," Thomas said. "The injury just held me back this year. I wasn't able to be a part of the team. There's a lot of unfinished business left, and I hate losing."
One person who is relieved that Thomas is returning is head coach Josh Pastner. Pastner, who is entering his fourth year as Tigers head coach, knows how important this announcement is to the future of the team.
"We're extremely pleased and excited to have him back," Pastner said. "That just makes our team much better, but it will also do much for Adonis as he continues to grow as a young man and as a basketball player - a real positive for Memphis, there's no doubt about that."
Tigers' fans probably should get too comfortable seeing Thomas beyond next season. If his sophomore season goes the way he and everyone anticipates, then he could be the next two-and-done after next season, following the footsteps of sophomore Will Barton, who announced his intentions to turn pro last week.
"Going to the (NBA draft) lottery is something that every basketball player dreams about," Thomas said. "I want to do everything I can do to put myself in the position to go lottery next year."
As widely reported, University of Memphis Tigers freshman and former McDonald's high school All-American Adonis Thomas announced he'll return for his sophomore season on Wednesday. Citing 'unfinished business' as his reason to give fans and supporters of the program one more season, Thomas felt it was better for him to stay.
"I stayed because it was the best decision for my family and for the team we have coming back," Thomas said. "I was wavering because of the injury that I had and the scouts didn't really get a chance to evaluate me the way that they needed to."
Not only did Thomas's ankle play a big part in him deciding to play another year, but scouts were saying that his stock wasn't as high because he wasn't exposed enough. Thomas noted that he was expected to be anywhere from a late first-round pick to not even being selected at all.
But also, Thomas also feels as though he let city of Memphis down because they didn't get to see him play a lot of games.
"I felt like I owe the city another year," Thomas said. "The injury just held me back this year. I wasn't able to be a part of the team. There's a lot of unfinished business left, and I hate losing."
One person who is relieved that Thomas is returning is head coach Josh Pastner. Pastner, who is entering his fourth year as Tigers head coach, knows how important this announcement is to the future of the team.
"We're extremely pleased and excited to have him back," Pastner said. "That just makes our team much better, but it will also do much for Adonis as he continues to grow as a young man and as a basketball player - a real positive for Memphis, there's no doubt about that."
Tigers' fans probably should get too comfortable seeing Thomas beyond next season. If his sophomore season goes the way he and everyone anticipates, then he could be the next two-and-done after next season, following the footsteps of sophomore Will Barton, who announced his intentions to turn pro last week.
"Going to the (NBA draft) lottery is something that every basketball player dreams about," Thomas said. "I want to do everything I can do to put myself in the position to go lottery next year."
Barton Chooses NBA
As expected, University of Memphis Tigers sophomore guard Will Barton declared for the 2012 NBA Draft, foregoing his final two years of eligibility. His announcement came just six days after the 8-seeded Tigers were bounced from the second round of the West Region of the NCAA Tournament by 9-seeded Saint Louis, 61-54.
"I told coach after the (Saint Louis) game that I was going to go ahead and decide," Barton said. "I want to make a decision and not play around with coach (Josh Pastner) emotions. He needs to know what the team will look like and he needs to know who to go and recruit."
Head coach josh Pastner was with Barton as he told notified everyone of his decision. Pastner says he was going to support Barton in whatever he chose to do.
"We talked about it throughout the week, he and I communicated," Pastner said. "We gathered all the information and relayed it to Will and I was going to back him no matter what - he has made a great decision and will have a long time career at the next level."
Barton said his decision wasn't based on where he felt he would get drafted; it was based on his dream ever since he was a kid. He also stated that his younger brother, Antonio, helped him make up his mind but it was tough.
"The only thing I ever wanted to do was to be an NBA player," Barton said. "It was never about where I would be drafted or anything like that. I always just wanted to shake David Stern's hand."
Barton knows that he still has a lot to prove to NBA scouts. He also knows that he left empty promises to the fans of the Memphis Tigers, but assures everyone that he will always be a Tigers long after his playing career is over.
"That's what really made my decision real tough for me," Barton said. "It was about leaving this program, my teammates and coaches. I hope the real Tigers fans understand that this decision was best for me and that this place is my second home. I will come back after I leave. I will never forget these past two years - they have been the best two years of my life."
Barton departs the basketball program leaving an indelible mark. He scored over 1,000 points in just two seasons. He almost averaged a double-double (18.9 points, 8.1 rebounds per game) from the guard position and was the Conference USA Player of the Year this past season. But what fans won't ever forget is how he failed to make good on bringing Memphis a national championship like he promised.
"I almost wanted to stay," Barton said. "Watching all those NCAA Tournament games made me want to come back next year, so I had to quit watching them. But my brother said, 'you're ready to go pro' and that's all I needed to hear."
Tigers complete back-to-back C-USA Championships
An up-and-down, see-saw battle in the first six minutes of this contest, turn out to be a no-contest as The University of Memphis Tigers (26-8) blitzed the Marshall Thundering Herd (21-13) 83-57 for their second consecutive Conference USA Championship Tournament title.
Marshall hung in there with Memphis for the better part of the first half, but once the Tigers turned on the defense, the Thundering Herd was no match for the athletic Tigers. The last five Tigers opponents have fallen in the same fashion - a blowout.
"That was obviously a well-played game. Marshall is a very, very good team," said Josh Pastner, head coach of the Tigers. "They are very well coached, and they have a lot of good players. But, the thing for us is that we did some good things defensively. I think Marshall is an NCAA Tournament team. They deserve to be in the field as does Southern Miss - you can even make a case for UCF, too."
One thing is for sure - the Tigers will be dancing for the second straight time and with the C-USA's Tournament MVP, sophomore guard Joe Jackson, peaking and playing the best basketball of his young career right now. Jackson averaged 15.3 points, 4.0 assists and 2.3 steals during the tournament run. He also led the Tigers with 19 points and six assists in the championship victory over Marshall.
"I honestly thought Tarik (Black) deserved the MVP," Jackson said. "He's been playing his butt off the last five or six games. It wasn't about winning the MVP for me, I just want to win games."
There were four other players in double figures to go along with Jackson; Will Barton, Wesley Witherspoon, Ferrakohn Hall and Chris Crawford all reached double figures. But it wasn't the offensive output that was nearly as impressive as the defense of Memphis. They held Marshall to just 35.5 percent (22-of-62) from the field for the game. And the Thundering Herd also shot poorly from the free throw line, going 8-of-18 (44.4percent).
"We ran into a team that is playing as well as any team in America," said Tom Herrion, head coach for Marshall. "That team might be the most improved team in the country in the last three or four weeks. We battled and I'm proud of my kids, but we didn't close the deal."
Up next for the Tigers is the NCAA tournament, and with the way the team has been rolling lately, head coach Josh Pastner believes his teams deserves a high seed.
"I believe right now, that there's no doubt in my mind that we should be a No. 5-seed in the tournament," Pastner said. "I think we've earned a right to be a five-seed - but whomever we play, we'll have to be ready."