College basketball: Georgia's Brian Thomas commits to FGCU for 2017
FORT MYERS -- Barring transfers, FGCU fourth-year coach Joe Dooley already has wrapped up the 2017 men's basketball recruiting class.
FGCU got its first and only 2017 scholarship commitment from 6-foot-9, 240-pound Marietta, Georgia, power forward Brian Thomas on Wednesday. He's rated a 3-star prospect by Rivals and ranked 16th among his state's recruits.
The Kell High product picked FGCU over 14 other Division I programs. Mississippi State and UAB were also finalists. Thomas had already been to those campuses and he visited FGCU last weekend.
Thomas was impressed with FGCU's campus and facilities. The holder of a 3.6 grade-point average, he also was taken in by FGCU's pre-law and physical therapy programs. Ditto the resume' Dooley, who spent a decade at Kansas before taking over at FGCU.
"And part of the reason I'm going to Florida Gulf Coast is I can gain more confidence and skill when I get there," said Thomas, who bragged about FGCU's development of big men.
Thomas averaged 11 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks as a junior last season and was named an all-region performer.
"I'm a hard worker," Thomas said. "Good motor. Great shot blocker, rebounder. I score with my back to the basket. I can hit a mid-range jump shot, but I need to become more consistent at it."
FGCU will lose only two players to graduation after this season, but they are key ones. Marc-Eddy Norelia is an All-Atlantic Sun first-team power forward who led the Eagles in scoring (17.1) and rebounding (9.3) last season. Center Demetris Morant has started most of his games since transferring from UNLV following his freshman season.
FGCU got a commitment last year from Philadelphia-Neumann Goretti combo guard Rasheed Browne (6-2), but Browne is working on his grades at NTSI Prep near Philly and is expected to join the Eagles next season.
In May, FGCU signed junior Ricky Doyle, a former 4-star center from Bishop Verot who started much of his two seasons at Michigan. The 6-9, 250-pound Doyle is sitting out this season per NCAA transfer rules and will have two years of eligibility for the Eagles.
Last week, FGCU signed 6-6 sophomore guard/forward CJ Williamson, a transfer from Texas Tech. Williams, who played sparingly for the Red Raiders, was a 4-star recruit out of Orlando-Evans and also must sit this season.
Estero 6-10 center Ryan Rocuant will be a preferred walk-on next season.
Junior point guard Brandon Goodwin hosted Thomas over the weekend that included dinner at the Dooleys' house and beach time. Thomas said the Eagles made him feel at home.
"They're really cool, funny," Thomas said. "I was laughing a lot of the time."
A shot at quick playing time factored into Thomas' decision.
"Coach Dooley sat down with us in the locker room and wrote out all the roster spots on the board, who they were losing and where," Thomas said.
He watched FGCU's bigs work out Saturday. He was blown away by Norelia and 6-7 junior forward Kevin Mickle.
"Marc is what I want to become as it relates to ball skills," Thomas said. "But Kevin ... I'm athletic, but he's crazy-athletic."