UNLV's Dedan Thomas Jr. is setting up shop with the LSU Tigers. Thomas Jr., having shown his prowess as the leading scorer for the Runnin' Rebels, is poised to bring his game to an arguably more competitive stage in the SEC. News3 Las Vegas reports that Thomas was named Mountain West co-freshman of the year in 2024 and, in his sophomore season, led his team with an average of 15.6 points and 4.7 assists per game.
Thomas Jr.'s shift to LSU comes amidst a period of transition for UNLV's basketball program, which has recently seen the ousting of head coach Kevin Kruger. In his place steps Josh Pastner, introduced as the new helmsman just last week. Thomas' departure is part of a larger exodus from UNLV, with a total of eight players diving into the transfer portal after Kruger's dismissal, as reported by The Las Vegas Review-Journal. Among these defectors, Thomas Jr.'s move strikes as particularly notable given his local pedigree and the height of the accolades he's achieved so far.
Speaking on the new chapter ahead for his son, Dedan Thomas Sr., himself a former Runnin' Rebel, conveyed both pride and optimism. "He went down there and fell in love with the campus and coaching staff. This is a great move for him," Thomas Sr. told The Las Vegas Review-Journal. Acknowledging the blend of familial guidance and the younger Thomas' own ambitions, Thomas Sr. remarked, "It was a good time here but he needs to go away and spread his wings and grow up and experience somewhere other than Las Vegas. This was his choice."
With familial ties to LSU's associate head coach David Patrick and the allure of a "great conference with some really good players," Thomas Sr. echos the sentiment of many who see great potential in this transfer. "He deserves this. We can’t do anything but be behind him and support him. This is a big step," he said in conversation with The Las Vegas Review-Journal.
