Tech's Thomas commits to Heels
Point guard played alongside Cal's Leon Powe for three seasons
By Jeff Faraudo, STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND -- Oakland Tech senior point guard Quentin Thomas returned from a successful weekend recruiting trip to Kansas and promptly made a verbal commitment on Monday -- to North Carolina.
"We couldn't have been treated any better," said Loretta Thomas, Quentin's mother, of the hospitality shown by Kansas. "But we got home and he was confused. He was pressured."

Thomas, who starred alongside Cal freshman Leon Powe the past three seasons at Tech, said he felt the need to make a decision after Russell Robinson, a guard from New York, committed Sunday to Kansas.

"I wanted to be able to choose where I went, basically," Thomas said. "I just talked about it with my family, and we prayed on it. God works in mysterious ways. He made it easy."

The 6-foot-3 Thomas, who visited Arizona State two weeks ago, has been rated as one of the top two point-guard prospects on the West Coast. He averaged 15 points and 10 assists last season for Tech, which won its second straight NorCal title.

Thomas said first-year Carolina coach Roy Williams was surprised and happy at the news. Williams phoned Thomas Monday afternoon to discuss possibly visiting the Bay Area this week, and Thomas gave him his decision.

"He was the first coach ever to start having interest in me," Thomas said of Williams, who left Lawrence, Kan., for Chapel Hill, N.C., after last season. "I wasn't disappointed (when Williams left Kansas). The coach is a big part of going to a school, but not the only part.

"North Carolina has so much tradition."

Thomas said he plans to make a campus visit before the Nov.12-19 letter-of-intent signing period.

The Thomases now have one more reason to celebrate beginning this weekend when they depart on a family Caribbean cruise to mark John and Loretta's 20th wedding anniversary.

"We're relieved that the process is over," Loretta Thomas said, "and we're very pleased."

Great insurance for if Raymond leaves after this year... and his eventual replacement either way.

I'm happy that we're getting a (supposed) 3-4 year PG. IMO, point guard is not an area where you can afford to keep replacing one every year or every two years. You need stability at the PG position. QT should provide that.

Way to go, Roy!

-JD

This is huge news folks! I am glad that Thomas chose Carolina. He will be a very good addition to our program. He is the best point guard in the West, and he will give us a true point guard when Felton leaves (whether it be after this year of his third). He may not be a McDonald's All American but we already have those recruits. Thomas won't have to come in and be the main man. As a true point guard, he will run the show and make his teammates perform to their potential. It is nice to have him aboard for the triumph that lies in the future of Carolina basketball.

Word from the insiders says that Roy is still pursuing Shaun Livingston and Randolph Morris. While adding another scholarship player to this class (when we are already one over) seems unlikely, it could happen. Trust in Roy.

Go Heels!

It still makes me nervous wondering who is going to be leaving early. He sounds like a great catch, however. Dwight Howard sounds like a great kid too. I'd love to see him in a Tar Heel uniform, but that pro money may be too good for him to turn down.