FEATURED:MICHAEL THOMAS
- stayupongame
- Jan 1, 2017
- 4 min read
Michael Thomas
#:25
Height: 6'7"
Position: Forward
Year: Junior
Today, we are happy to kick off our first FEATURED player Michael Thomas from the University of Hawaii. Thomas is a product of Southern California basketball and a stand up person on and off the court.
A 2013 graduate of El Camino Real High School, Thomas was named league MVP and Los Angeles City Co-Player of the Year as a senior. He averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and two assists per game and guided the Conquistadors to a 28-4 record, including a conference championship. His junior year 2012, helped the Conquistadors capture the City Section Division II championship and recorded a double-double in the title game.
Thomas currently enjoys playing in paradise for the Warriors aka The Bows or Rainbows for you die hard Hawaii fans. Hawaii is off to a great year, one of their best in recent years and Thomas is playing a big part to their success.
We had the chance to sit down with Michael and do a little Q & A and here are his responses.
STAYUPONGAME: Hawaii is off to a great start this year, what is your team's goal or where do you see this season going? MT:Our team's goal is to win the big west outright, and go to the tournament to take it as far as we can.. We have a lot of faith in our team this year. STAYUPONGAME: What is your best memory from college so far? MT: I'd have to say making it as far as we did last year into the conference tourney and continuing that level of play this year.The ride has been crazy but definitely worth it. STAYUPONGAME: Being a kid from So.Cal was it hard to adjust to life in hawaii? MT: You'd think it'd be tough, but it wasn't.The weather is pretty similar and most people at the university are from California so it has become home in these last 3 years. STAYUPONGAME: Most of us saw your sportscenter #9 highlight (check it out below if you haven't) , what was the reaction of your fans,family and teammates? MT: It was all love from everyone, a couple jokes here and there about making the number 2 spot, but the fans were all supportive and my family and teammate's were proud.
STAYUPONGAME: What current or former player would you say your game resembles? MT:Right now I feel like Dreymond Green is the most comparable because of my role's sake, but I'd say I slightly share the versatility and play of Lamar Odom. STAYUPONGAME: As a kid growing up who was the player you tried to model your game after? MT: Definitely Lamar Odom in his Laker days.. Growing up I was a bigger guard and appreciated that he did it all. STAYUPONGAME: How old were you when you first started playing and for what team or league? MT: I started playing at the YMCA in Northern California when I was two years old until we moved and I played organized club ball for the time when I was nine with Da Kiddz Basketball. STAYUPONGAME: What is the background for sports in your family? Mom or dad college athletes? Any notable relatives play college or pro? MT: My family is full of athletes. My dad was a semi pro baseball player and a track star growing up and my mom was a division 1 volleyball player in San Francisco during her college years. My grand-uncle on my moms side was a professional basketball player as well. STAYUPONGAME: Your brother Brandon is having a breakout senior year at taft? Is there a possibility we could see another Thomas at Hawaii next year? MT: I'm hoping so. I've been talking to my coaches about that possibility and they're looking into it. That'd be the dream to be honest. STAYUPONGAME: What is your plans after college? Are you planning to play at the next level? Overseas, nba-dleague etc? MT: I would love to play at the next level for however long time and age permits, but I do have plans to go into business marketing if that possibility fades. STAYUPONGAME: If you could play for any NBA team right now who would it be? MT: I'd say the Warriors or Lakers... Both teams are in California and the culture in both places are great. STAYUPONGAME: Who are the best players you have ever played with? MT: I'd say the best player I played with would be Spencer Dinwiddie or my current point guard Rod Bobbitt.These guys run the show. STAYUPONGAME: What is your Shaqtin' a fool moment in hs or college that you can now sit back and laugh at? MT: I'd say definitely making the top ten in two spots, one for dunking and one for getting blocked on a dunk. As well as getting hung trying to dunk a number of times in high school and college. STAYUPONGAME: Ok last question..these are pick one? MT:Kobe or MJ? MJ MT: Hawaii or LA? Love Hawaii but LA is home. MT: Broncos or Panthers? Panthers easy. MT: Nike or Under Armour? Nike man.. No brainer MT: Drake or Jay-Z? And Drake because he's becoming the Jay of my generation.
photos via University of Hawaii and Google Images
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