Thomas decides to chase pro ball

When Joston Thomas had it going, he was as tough a player to cover as any in the Western Athletic Conference. At other times, he could make coaches, teammates and fans shake their heads at his erratic play and enigmatic persona.

In many ways, the power forward epitomized the Hawaii men’s basketball team’s hot-and-cold, 16-16 season of 2011-12.

But that’s where his affiliation with UH ends. After two years in Manoa, the 6-foot-7, 235-pound Thomas will not return for his senior season as he pursues a pro career, the school announced on Tuesday.

During his time at UH, Thomas often spoke of his dream to play professionally, and how he could further that goal with his time in the islands — a place he found himself at peace.

Now the hoops vagabond from Washington, D.C., will try to realize it after playing 63 games in a UH uniform, averaging 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds. He wrote in text messages to the Star-Advertiser on Tuesday that he hadn’t yet hired an agent, but that he plans to enter the NBA Draft.

"I want to thank my ohana here in Hawaii," Thomas said in a UH statement. "From the coaches, administration, fans and the team — all 15 of them. This was an amazing opportunity for me and I look forward to my future. None of this would be possible without the support I’ve had here."

Thomas was one of five players to play in all 32 games in 2011-12, averaging 13.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 52.7 percent from the field. His season highlights included a game-winning basket against No. 14 Xavier, a 29-point, 12-rebound outing at San Jose State and several tomahawk fast-break dunks. The strongest player on the team, his staple was a one-bounce power dribble and pivot for a shot in the paint.

"I was pleased with Joston’s development with us," UH coach Gib Arnold said. "I thought this last year especially he became a much better basketball player. He limited his turnovers, while his field-goal percentage jumped up dramatically. He played much more in control. Those things are all positives. He became a much better basketball player the two years he’s been here. I think that progression’s going to continue with him."

The NBA Draft is a decided longshot, but overseas is a possibility. Arnold said Thomas might get some workouts with NBA teams before deciding where he will play.

Replacing what Thomas offered at his best won’t be easy. He averaged a team-best 16.9 points per game in WAC play, leading several coaches around the league to laud UH’s front line of him and center Vander Joaquim as the best in the WAC. Nebraska transfer Christian Standhardinger and incoming freshman Isaac Fotu of New Zealand are the future at the power forward spot, Arnold said.

Thomas was one of Arnold’s first players in his inaugural recruiting class of 2010. The oft-emotional transfer from the College of Southern Idaho butted heads with Arnold several times in games and practices, but at midseason of his junior year the UH coaches glowed about his growth as a teammate and player.

But there were some indications late in the season that Thomas’ time as a Rainbow Warrior were wrapping up. Frustration fouls against Montana on Feb. 18 and against Idaho in the WAC tournament first-round win on March 8 resulted in his disqualification. His minutes decreased late in the season, and it sometimes appeared the free-spirited player had regressed to an undisciplined style.

"Like everybody, he’s got some things he’s got to work on, but now he’s going to be able to do that full time as an occupation," Arnold said.

Academic standing was not a factor in Thomas moving on, Arnold said — he was on track to graduate.