Chris Thomas isn't gone until he decommits
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There goes our shot at a solidly balanced team!
I am not convinced that Thomas is definitely out of the equation. Where else is he considering? This may be a Lance Stephonson type of deal where people know how good he could be but will still stay away from him. If we think we can control him for a year or two it may be his best option.
You're right that people might still be hesitant with him, but it does not appear to be a Lance Stephenson type of deal, at least not at the same level At times he has a problematic on-court attitude, definitely, but off-court it has been grades and the maturity issues associated with that. I mean, if someone knows behavior-related issues off-court, please let us know. I've been asking anyone that mentions such a thing, and so far, at least, it seems to be conjecture from on-court attitude that turned into fact by being repeated enough times.
Concerning his commitment, it will be tough to keep him, but a decommitment is not a guarantee (Watch, as I say that, we'll get an announcement...). He cares about loyalty; Rasheen was the only consistent presence in his recruitment, but that has suddenly changed. Hopefully, Mack developed a strong enough relationship with him in that time too, and Thomas understood Rasheen's consistent presence to also be Xavier's consistent presence.
To me, whether or not we still have a shot with Thomas comes down to whatever the reason Davis left for is. The kid is obviously close with him, so if Davis' departure involves any friction whatsoever between he and Xavier, I would imagine Thomas will verbally de-commit. Even if we never know if that's the case or not, Thomas will. I would expect he's out of the picture now, honestly, but it would be a little easier to swallow, I guess, considering that there was never really any guarantee he was going to play at Xavier, or any D1 school, anyway.
I feel a fresh thread is called for.
From Zagoria:
"Chris Thomas' grandmother tells @SNYtv he is still committed to Xavier despite coach Davis leaving for Manhattan"