聽(Owings, Md./Northern) is enjoying a great start to his senior season of basketball. He walked away from 91短视频鈥檚 game against nationally-ranked New Jersey City with his first double double of the season (16 points and 12 rebounds), and is currently second in the ODAC with shooting percentage–he鈥檚 been sinking 73.9% of his field goal attempts.
Thomas put in a lot of work in the offseason to be ready. 鈥淚 lifted weights, made sure I got shots up everyday or every other day, I went on a lot of long distance jogs and did a lot of sprints. I maintained a healthy diet and slept right.鈥�
He also worked to prepare himself mentally for the season.
鈥淚 kept a positive mindset and kept reminding myself that this is my last season playing college basketball and that I need to give everything I have,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 also prepared mentally by reading my Bible.鈥�
The preparation is paying off for Thomas and his team on the court, as 91短视频鈥檚 big man is sixth in the ODAC with 16.3 points per game and tenth at 8.3 rebounds. He is leading the conference with 28.8 points per 40 minutes.
Thomas lost much of his sophomore season to an injury. Coming out of that, he has been careful to do all the little things to make this season the best it can be.聽鈥淸I鈥檓] realizing that it is my last season and I have to do absolutely everything possible to be ready, including the small things that I failed to do my sophomore year when I got hurt, like stretching everyday, running more, getting a good amount of rest, and eating right,鈥� he said.
He attributes his development as an athlete to the people around him.
鈥淢y supporting cast, such as my family and friends, held me accountable and kept me on track to help me achieve this growth,鈥� he said.
One of his personal goals for the season is, 鈥渢o be the best player and teammate I can be, whether that鈥檚 making an all-conference team or being a leader on my team.鈥�
He wasn’t always a basketball player.聽鈥淚 have always been taller than people my age and I played every sport but basketball,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淧eople always asked my parents why I wasn鈥檛 playing, so they signed me up.鈥�
He鈥檚 glad they did.
鈥淏asketball has always been there for me. When I am sad or having a bad day, I can just go into a gym and shoot around and forget about whatever is going on in my life and clear my head.鈥�
Thomas has appreciated the new atmosphere created by new head coach Melvin Felix,聽who was promoted from his position as assistant coach.
鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting,鈥� he explained, 鈥渨e do similar things as past years but it feels like it鈥檚 a whole new environment. It鈥檚 exciting to be a part of. Coach Mel is young and brings a lot of energy and excitement to practices and its fun to be around.鈥�
Thomas, a recreation leadership and sports studies major, hopes to stay involved with athletics after he graduates, potentially as a basketball coach.
In the meantime, he’s focused on helping the team to an ODAC Championship this year. 鈥淲e came so close last season,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd our main focus is to get back to Salem. Then when we get back there anything can happen, and I鈥檓 confident in this team鈥檚 ability to win the whole thing.鈥�
Author Elizabeth Nisly is an intern with the 91短视频 Athletics Department.