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Mike Thomas plans to finish what he started.
With a simple tweet on Friday, the Hawaii basketball co-captain served notice that he will see out his college career in UH green, breaking stride with the two Rainbow Warriors juniors who recently announced plans to turn professional.
“The Rock” was unmoved by the likelihood of an NCAA postseason ban remaining on his senior season of 2016-17, or any overtures he might have received from other Division I schools looking for an instant addition at forward.
With a simple, “I am coming back next year,” on Twitter, Thomas put it to rest. He declined interviews the rest of the day.
UH coach Eran Ganot smiled at the subject of Thomas’ characteristic stoicism.
“Michael’s going to be Michael. He’s going to be real,” UH coach Eran Ganot said. “Everyone’s gotta be who they are. People like him just want to go about their business and do things right, work hard, and hope the rest takes care of itself.”
Thomas will be the only starter returning from UH’s Big West championship squad that went 28-6 and won the program’s first NCAA Tournament game. The team’s top two scorers, Stefan Jankovic and Aaron Valdes, are foregoing their senior seasons to play as pros. The other two starters, Roderick Bobbitt and Quincy Smith, have exhausted their eligibility.
Though sometimes undersized as a 6-foot-7 power forward, Thomas brought a blue-collar approach to the position and capitalized as an efficient scorer, shooting 52.1 percent.
The Woodland Hills, Calif., native started all 34 games in 2015-16, averaging 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest. He was fifth on the team in total points and second in total rebounds, and will be the top returner in both categories.
The final game of the season showed Thomas could be ready for a larger role. His 19-point, 11-rebound double-double paced the Rainbow Warriors in a loss to Maryland in the NCAA Tournament round of 32.
His value has long been beyond simple numbers, as he was a steady voice on a team stocked with a wide range of personalities.
“Mike is probably the prime example of who you want in your program,” Ganot said. “On the court, off the court, in the classroom. His leadership, his experience, and he’s gotten better every year.”
He’s been a calming presence for a team that’s encountered its fair share of turbulence; he is one of a few players who had three head coaches in three seasons. Looking ahead, he will be one of the Rainbows’ only veterans.
“He’s been The Rock. He’s going to have to continue to be The Rock,” Ganot said. “He’s such a pleasure to be around.”
Thomas has a redshirt year available, which could theoretically be burned to give him a chance at the postseason again in 2017-18.
Ganot demurred on the subject.
“All he wants to do is come back,” the coach said. “Those questions wouldn’t be any different for him than any other player, if they were to redshirt. He just wants to be back. That stuff will (come) later. I mean, that’s not something we’ve talked much about.”
The last UH junior yet to make a decision is backup center Stefan Jovanovic. Jovanovic could announce his plans early next week.
Banquet set May 5
The UH men’s basketball postseason banquet is set for May 5 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom.
Individual tickets are $150, while tables may be purchased for $1,500. No host cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and the program starting at 6:30. Proceeds go toward player scholarships.
Order forms may be found at hawaiiathletics.com and should be submitted before April 29. For more information, call Bobbie Omoto at 956-6501.
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2016 February 25 SPT - HSA Photo by Jamm Aquino. Hawaii forward Michael Thomas (25) throws down a slam dunk during the first half of a men's college basketball game between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and the UC Riverside Highlanders on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.