Adonis Thomas is a Nets project. a 6'7" forward with a three-point range, an NBA body and a 40" max vertical. They signed him in training camp after he had gone undrafted out of Memphis and was cut by the Hawks before the season. Essentially, he was signed so he could be cut and assigned directly to Springfield.
But the Nets saw something in him. Only two years ago, the 20-year-old was a top high school player --ranked No. 1 in the Class of 2011 by Sporting News. Injury, inconsistency and uncertainty about where he fit on the court led to disappointment at Memphis.
Thomas, one of the D-League's youngest players, started slowly, then missed five games to knee soreness. He came back strong, scoring 40 points in two games last week. He's not scored as much in the two games since but in an interview last week --and posted Monday-- Thomas talked confidently about his future to Armor broadcaster Pete Sousa (who is quite tall himself.)
Here are some of his comments to Sousa... including what the Nets told him. Bottom line he says Booklyn told him they "saw a lot in me" and " They think I can be an NBA player very soon. They know I can contribute."
On how he spent the time off:
"While I was sitting out, I was evaluating the game. I got a chance to look and see how the game was being played. Also, It was me coming back and being aggressive."
On how the Armor strength and conditioning coach liked his attitude:
"I wanted to get back health as soon as possible. I knew that I could contribute immediately with this team. I knew for me in the future, it's going to be a key thing as well."
Why the Nets signed him and then sent him to their affiliate:
"It's great (being an affiliate player). It means that the Nets saw a lot in me. They think I can be an NBA player very soon. They know I can contribute. Also, they know for Springfield that I could help this team and they acquired me. I'm grateful to me here."
His goals this season:
"My goal is to finish this season with this team, hopefully get a call up before this season (ends). But I want to wear an NBA jersey this season. That's my goal this year."
His best Christmas gift:
"My best Christmas gift had to be a coat! In Memphis, it usually doesn't get this cold so fast."
In other Armor news, the team traded its rights to Dexter Pittman, the former Miami PF, to the Austin Toros, the Spurs affiliate, for a pick in the D-league draft next November. The Armor obtained Pittman's rights last November, but he chose to play in China.