Top prospect D.J. Thomas to visit UNLV this weekend

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 | 2 a.m.

UNLV basketball has a big weekend ahead, and not because they’ll be hosting Incarnate Word on Saturday.

The program will also welcome Class of 2024 point guard D.J. Thomas to campus on an official visit, making this the school’s most important recruiting event since Kevin Kruger took over as head coach.

Thomas averaged 13.3 points, 5.4 assists and 2.0 steals last year while guiding Liberty to state championship. He is currently rated the No. 30 player in the nation by 247 Sports, and he lists UNLV among his six college finalists along with Arizona, Gonzaga, Houston, UCLA and Florida.

UNLV has focused its recruiting attention on Thomas, making him the program’s clear No. 1 priority.

Thomas said he wants to use the official visit to immerse himself in UNLV culture.

“Just to start spending more time with them,” Thomas said. “They have a pretty new coaching staff this year, so I’m just getting to know them better. I’m trying to spend some more time over there and actually see the whole campus and see what it’s like living there.”

Thomas should already have a pretty good idea of what UNLV is all about. The 4-star recruit is the son of former Scarlet and Gray player Dedan Thomas, and D.J. was at the Thomas & Mack Center just a few weeks ago (in an unofficial capacity) to watch the team’s open practice event.

Of course, UNLV isn’t the only school lining up to give Thomas the VIP treatment. Thomas took an unofficial visit to Arizona two weeks ago, and he said he was set to visit Gonzaga this past weekend, but it had to be canceled at the last minute when inclement weather grounded his plane.

Thomas said that while the visits provide tangible benefits that will help him make his college decision, a lot of it is based on feel.

“I think one of the bigger factors in my decision will be the relationships I build with the coaches and the people I meet on these visits,” Thomas said. “Knowing I can feel safe somewhere that feels like home, and that I can trust those people as much as I trust my family at home.”

Some of the schools recruiting Thomas are trying to pitch him on reclassifying to the Class of 2023 and arriving on campus a year ahead of schedule (with UNLV being one of them). Thomas said he still hasn’t decided on that, but he’s open to the idea.

He also hasn’t worked out a timetable for making his college decision. Instead of making a pros and cons list or checking off boxes, Thomas believes it will become evident when he’s found the right school for him.

“I feel like I’ll probably know who I trust,” he said. “That gut feeling. I’ll know when I know.”

Could that happen this weekend? UNLV will certainly roll out the red carpet in hopes of making a lasting impression.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.