Westwind Prep International phenom Chris Thomas appears to be the next big guard target down the line for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. Thomas received an offer from the Nation of Blue a few days ago, and he seemed really excited about the opportunity to be playing for them. Check out the interview below courtesy of Bluegrass Hoops.
BluegrassHoops.com: 2013 Guard Chris Thomas Talks Kentucky (via Coast2Coasthoops)
For those who couldn't watch the interview, here are some of the quotables (slightly paraphrased) Thomas had about Kentucky basketball.
Interviewer: Coach you've been hearing from the coaches at Kentucky anytime recently?
Thomas: Yeah I have. I've seen John Calipari in my games at Vegas and Milwaukee...it's been going kind of good...
Interviewer: You see Calipari or [assistant coach Orlando] Antigua or both of those guys?
Thomas: I've seen both of those guys. Both of those guys was in the building. Calipari, I like him...
Interviewer: What kind of things has he telling you about Kentucky?
Thomas: ...My game fits Kentucky's game. If I was to go to Kentucky I'd fit in ... I really like the coaching staff.
Interviewer: You ever been to Kentucky?
Thomas: ...I ain't never been to Kentucky!Interviewer: You like how they put guards in the league?
Thomas: Yeah I like how they put guards in the league and I like their play style...they run, they run, they like to shoot the ball.
Thomas said later in the interview that he recently received a Kentucky offer.
Here are Thomas's big highlights from his sophomore season.
(via HoopmixtapeBlog)
Sean Miller might have his work cut out for him. Although Thomas is an in-state recruit, has an offer from Arizona, and is probably one of his top targets for next year's class, it's really hard for a guard to resist the allure of Calipari's dribble drive motion offense. Getting free rein to shoot the ball as often as possible is too tough to resist. Plus all one has to do is mention the names Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall and Brandon Knight, and the resume speaks for itself with any young aspiring guards.
For more on Kentucky basketball recruiting, head to A Sea of Blue. For more on Arizona basketball recruiting, check out Arizona Desert Swarm.