Here's some background info on TaShawn Thomas leaving U of H, and some if it is my opinion (as a Houston area resident). Some of you aren't old enough to remember Phi Slamma Jamma in Houston's basketball hay-day. Most people remember Olajawon and Drexler, but Houston had another 1st round NBA draft pick: Michael Young. He didn't make it in the NBA but played a lot of years overseas.
Young eventually came back to Houston where he had been the Director of Basketball Operations for many years. Last summer James Dickey had him reassigned to a lesser role. He demoted him. Michael Young filed a lawsuit against the U of H and I think he has since left the school.
The fly in the ointment is his son, Joseph Young, was a sopomore and leading scorer on the U of H basketball team at 18 ppg. After his Dad's demotion, he transferred to Oregon and became their leading scorer last season at 18.9 ppg. Joseph and TaShawn were part of the same recruiting class. I think the demotion of Michael Young played a big part in Thomas deciding to transfer ..... and it doesn't surprise me that he didn't follow James Dickey to OSU.
Joeseph Young is why Thomas was considering Oregon. He could play with an old friend who had success. By the way, Joseph applied for and was granted a waiver to play last year following his transfer from Houston after the employment mess with his father. He didn't have to sit out a year. Also, Joseph just announced he would come back to Oregon for his senior season after considering leaving to play overseas ...... I hope that doesn't play into TaShawn's decision. The recent rape case with 3 players leaving Oregon has scared other recruits away.......
Young Lawsuit against U of H
Thomas' other top choice is Miami. I hear Sheldon McClellan is his best friend. McClellan played 2 years at Texas before sitting out as a transfer at Miami last season. He averaged 13.5 ppg as a soph at UT so I'm not sure why he transferred.
He had a choice of going to play with a good friend at either Miami or Oregon, but likes the idea of getting to play at OU with 4 returning starters on a good team. Plus it's closer to home. I think that's what he's struggling with. I also think the reason for him leaving had to do with his buddy's Dad getting messed over and more things going on inside of U of H than was being disclosed.......
Young eventually came back to Houston where he had been the Director of Basketball Operations for many years. Last summer James Dickey had him reassigned to a lesser role. He demoted him. Michael Young filed a lawsuit against the U of H and I think he has since left the school.
The fly in the ointment is his son, Joseph Young, was a sopomore and leading scorer on the U of H basketball team at 18 ppg. After his Dad's demotion, he transferred to Oregon and became their leading scorer last season at 18.9 ppg. Joseph and TaShawn were part of the same recruiting class. I think the demotion of Michael Young played a big part in Thomas deciding to transfer ..... and it doesn't surprise me that he didn't follow James Dickey to OSU.
Joeseph Young is why Thomas was considering Oregon. He could play with an old friend who had success. By the way, Joseph applied for and was granted a waiver to play last year following his transfer from Houston after the employment mess with his father. He didn't have to sit out a year. Also, Joseph just announced he would come back to Oregon for his senior season after considering leaving to play overseas ...... I hope that doesn't play into TaShawn's decision. The recent rape case with 3 players leaving Oregon has scared other recruits away.......
Young Lawsuit against U of H
Thomas' other top choice is Miami. I hear Sheldon McClellan is his best friend. McClellan played 2 years at Texas before sitting out as a transfer at Miami last season. He averaged 13.5 ppg as a soph at UT so I'm not sure why he transferred.
He had a choice of going to play with a good friend at either Miami or Oregon, but likes the idea of getting to play at OU with 4 returning starters on a good team. Plus it's closer to home. I think that's what he's struggling with. I also think the reason for him leaving had to do with his buddy's Dad getting messed over and more things going on inside of U of H than was being disclosed.......