Ragin' Cajun Blog: Cajuns appear to finalize basketball recruiting class

[NewsCopy]

Coach Bob Marlin recently received good news when former 5A All-State MVP forward J.J. Thomas was released from Stephen F. Austin to play at UL. According to reports from Ragin’Cajun beat writer Josh Parrott of the ...

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[Parrott]

_ I'm pretty sure he will be eligible to play this year, since he signed with SFA, was released, but did not attend classes.

Lebato on the other hand did attend classes, therefore he will have to sit out. _

I spoke with J.J.'s high school coach today. Louisiana Tech, McNeese State and UNO were recruiting him before he signed with Stephen F. Austin. Few schools knew about his release from SFA, so he didn't get a lot of attention. He wanted to stay close to home, and UL was the perfect fit.

[zephyr]

_ BJ... I don't follow high school basketball a ton, so I am not familiar with J.J. Thomas. What can we expect from him? Who else might have been interested in him? And when will he be eligible to play since he is coming in from SFA? _

J.J. was a great H.S. player. The potential problem is that he was an inside player in H.S. and he's 6'5" which would likely make him small for a PF unless we are in a transition type of lineup where smaller faster guys would be on the court. He would likely have to play the 3 and i don't know if he's a good enough perimeter player to be a SG. He is a fantastic basketball player though and that often makes up for lack of size. He should be a solid addition.

[Parrott]

J.J. was a great H.S. player. The potential problem is that he was an inside player in H.S. and he's 6'5" which would likely make him small for a PF unless we are in a transition type of lineup where smaller faster guys would be on the court. He would likely have to play the 3 and i don't know if he's a good enough perimeter player to be a SG. He is a fantastic basketball player though and that often makes up for lack of size. He should be a solid addition.

I'll have a story with more about this Saturday. Thomas, who is actually 6-4, 230, played power forward and some small forward in high school. Will have to play the 3 in college. Has really improved his ball-handling and perimeter shooting but will need to continue to do so at the next level. He hasn't reached his potential yet.

[NewsCopy]

  J.J. Thomas saw his prep basketball career end in the Cajundome last March after Scotlandville High School suffered a one-point loss to Brother Martin in the Class 5A state final.

His collegiate career will start on the same court under first-year UL coach Bob Marlin.

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jparrott@theadvertiser.com

Joshua Parrott

[spearchucker]

_ Tell us a little bit about JJ and his younger brother? _

His younger brother attended Northwest H.S. in Opelousas for the last two years, but should be enrolled at Scottlandville now. He is 6'4" maybe 6'5", has good skills, and flies.

[ULGrad@HOU]

I'm not familiar with these guys our Coach is acquiring, but I have a good feeling about basketball. It's been a long time since I've felt some excitement about the bb program.

[Parrott]

His younger brother attended Northwest H.S. in Opelousas for the last two years, but should be enrolled at Scottlandville now. He is 6'4" maybe 6'5", has good skills, and flies.

Yes, his brother's name is Cleveland Thomas. The Cajuns were watching him over the summer in AAU ball.



igeaux.mobi

[zephyr]

_ I'm not familiar with these guys our Coach is acquiring, but I have a good feeling about basketball. It's been a long time since I've felt some excitement about the bb program. _

J.J. was a pretty big name this past year in the state high school community. He had a really good run in the playoffs and got a lot of attention late because of it. Like I said, he's a smallish post player when moving to the collegiate level. He was a very physical player in high school due to his frame but will have to adjust in college which likely kept a lot of bigger schools away. He's a player though and has skills.

[spearchucker]

_ Yes, his brother's name is Cleveland Thomas. The Cajuns were watching him over the summer in AAU ball.



igeaux.mobi _

He is better known as "Pancake"