Chris Thomas led the Fighting Irish to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1987. Thomas was the College Basketball News’ Newcomer of the Year last season and a first team College Basketball News’ All-Freshman selection as he
averaged 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. He was a sixth team College Basketball News’ All-American as a freshman.
Thomas was second for the Irish in scoring (18.7 points) and led the Big East in assists (6.9), was second in the league in free throw percentage (87.1) and sixth in steals (1.8). He shot 40.3% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. However, he also had a Big East-high 142 turnovers. Thomas can be a streaky shooter as he was just 3 of 14 versus Maryland, 3 of 11 against Valparaiso, 2 of 15 versus Pitt, 4 of 14 against West Virginia, 4 of 20 versus Georgetown and 5 of 15 against Seton Hall.
Thomas was named fourth team College Basketball News’ All-American this season
Notre Dame finished 24-10 this season and will lose seniors Danny Miller and Matt Carroll to graduation, leaving Torin Francis and Jordan Cornette as the lone returning starters. The Irish has signed 6-4 shooting guards Colin Falls of Wilmette (IL) Loyola Academy and Russell Carter from Paulsboro (NJ) High and 6-7 small forward Omari Israel of Wheaton (MD) Our Lady Good Counsel. Freshman point guard Chris Quinn, who averaged 3.9 points and 1.5 assists in 15.3 minutes per game, would likely replace Thomas, if he elects to remain in the draft.
Thomas is my fourth ranked point guard behind T.J. Ford of Texas, Kirk Hinrich from Kansas and Oregon’s Luke Ridnour.