St. John’s frontline is thin, but it may not remain that way for long.
The top junior college Division I rebounder in the country, Westchester Community College’s Keith Thomas, is on Steve Lavin’s radar.
St. John’s isn’t the only school after the 6-foot-8 Thomas. Florida State, Fordham, USC, South Florida, Wright State and Loyola-Chicago are among his suitors, but the Johnnies made an impression during an unofficial visit this week, and they could certainly use a player such as Thomas after God’sgift Achiuwa and Orlando Sanchez are graduating, JaKarr Sampson declaring for the NBA Draft and Chris Obekpa receiving his release to transfer.
“I can see it being a strong fit for me, if I decided to go there,” said Thomas, who plans to take an official visit to St. John’s soon. “There is space for me on the team, there is a spot for me if I choose them. I think the program is excellent. The coach is a real up-front guy, strong personality.”
Thomas enjoyed an impressive season, averaging 15.3 points, a junior college-leading 15.7 rebounds per game while leading Westchester to a 28-5 record, the Region XV crown and a spot in the JUCO national tournament.
“This was the best year of basketball of my entire life,” he said.
“He’s like a modern day Dennis Rodman but with offensive skills,” Westchester coach Tyrone Mushatt said. “I think the sky’s the limit for him.”
Thomas said rebounding comes natural. He has good timing and a hunger to snare every loose ball.
“I’m going to outwork you,” he said.
The 23-year-old Thomas can now see the end of his journey nearing. He grew up in Mount Vernon but played only one year of high school basketball, at Yorktown High School, and broke his hand his freshman season at Westchester after just two games. He’s on pace to graduate in May, Mushatt said, and could have three years of eligibility at the Division I level.
“It’s something I didn’t think was going to happen,” said Thomas, who didn’t play basketball last year. “I didn’t think I was going to play basketball [again] period. It’s intoxicating. I remind myself I’m about to go Division I and I can’t get over it. It’s amazing.
“I was on the court one day, I was playing ball, and I forgot how much I loved it. I popped up in [Mushatt’s] office, asked him if he had room.”
Mushatt, wanting to make sure Thomas was serious, told him he needed to earn a spot at tryouts. When the season began with Thomas grabbing 22 rebounds in a win over Rockland CC and he followed that up with 16 points and 16 rebounds against local powerhouse Monroe CC, Mushatt was convinced of Thomas’ ability.
“That’s when he showed me he can be a next-level player,” Mushatt said. “He performed at the top of his game against the best teams in our district, and he never stopped [doing] that.”
Christ the King senior center Adonis Delarosa announced he has moved up his commitment date, from Apr. 18 to Tuesday. St. John’s, South Carolina, Alabama, Rutgers and Pittsburgh are among the top schools on the 6-11 big man’s list.
Cardinal Hayes senior forward Nathan Ekwu picked Davidson and head coach Bob McKillop over Fordham on Friday.
Fairfield sophomore guard Justin Jenkins of The Bronx, Boston University junior forward Malik Thomas of Harlem, Marshall freshman point guard Kareem Canty of Harlem, and George Mason junior forward Anali Okoloji of Brooklyn are all transferring.
New Jersey guard Marques Townes of St. Joseph’s-Metuchen committed to FDU on Friday.
Hofstra is one of several schools pursuing Providence transfer Brice Kofane.