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One of two UH players to start all 32 games this season, co-captain Mike Thomas provided a steadying influence last week that helped the Rainbow Warriors extend a landmark campaign into the NCAA Tournament.
>> Class: Junior
>> Major: Business
>> Hometown: Woodland Hills, Calif.
>> High School: El Camino Real
>> Quick Fact: Named Los Angeles Co-Player of the Year as a senior in high school
The 6-foot-7 power forward averaged 9.6 points and seven rebounds per game in the Big West tournament to help the Rainbow Warriors (27-5) capture their first conference tournament title and accompanying NCAA Tournament bid since 2002.
He opened the Big West tournament with his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in a quarterfinal win over Cal State Fullerton. He contributed eight points, going 4-for-4 at the free-throw line, against UC Santa Barbara and posted nine points and six rebounds vs. Long Beach State in the final.
Thomas started 11 games as a sophomore and has been part of the first five in each game this year along with guard Quincy Smith. He enters Friday’s NCAA first-round matchup with fourth-seeded California (23-10) in Spokane, Wash., averaging 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
