Jake Thomas Coming Back

[MisterJaylenBrownMU]

MarquetteMBB ‏@MarquetteMBB
#mubb junior guard Jake Thomas to return to MU on scholarship in 13-14. He had requested release after the end of the season.

[🏀]

Good for Jake. One scholarship left.

[MU B2002]

Why the ??? Seems pretty definite to me

[Bocephys]

MarquetteMBB ‏@MarquetteMBB
#mubb junior guard Jake Thomas to return to MU on scholarship in 13-14. He had requested release after the end of the season.

So either he got promised some PT or it really was about having to pay his own way.

[The Process]

Oh, goodie.

So who fills the last scholarship for next year...?

[MisterJaylenBrownMU]

Why the ??? Seems pretty definite to me

Was more of an "I'm surprised by this" ? than an "is this right" ?. But yeah, obviously it seems quite definite. Good for Jake.

[Lennys Tap]

He couldn't leave after all those awards he got last night.

[Clam Crowder]

IMO if we got a freshman that wasn't great the guy would have been for 1 year just like Jake will be and would have gotten no PT. If we found a project 7 footer I would be all about that, but Buzz would not have found a 2 that would be able to contribute to the team. Jake is here 1 more year. Might as well reward the guy for a leap of faith to MU.

[MUMonster03]

Interesting.

Good for him, he already knows the system, and according to others he was a great teammate and gave it his all in practice even if he barely saw the court.

I like it since it still allows us to use this scholarship again in 14-15 since it will only be 1 year.

[damuts222]

Someone wasn't upfront regarding there decision in my eyes.  Juan, Jake and Jamal transferring then Vander declaring for the draft.

Given Vander's quick entry into the draft and the fact that he was the last player to state his intent I would say that his leaving was a surprise to Buzz and co.  Doesn't matter to me really, however Jake may not have considered leaving given the development with Vander and an open scholarship.

[jesmu84]

Jake said he wanted to leave due to playing time, right? So does that mean that Buzz has told/guaranteed him significant court time?

[MUMonster03]

Someone wasn't upfront regarding there decision in my eyes.  Juan, Jake and Jamal transferring then Vander declaring for the draft.

Given Vander's quick entry into the draft and the fact that he was the last player to state his intent I would say that his leaving was a surprise to Buzz and co.  Doesn't matter to me really, however Jake may not have considered leaving given the development with Vander and an open scholarship.

I would guess that it was more Juan and Ferguson leaving that made him reconsider. Wasn't Jake the first to leave even though it didn't matter scholarship wise?

[Galway Eagle]

I hope he manages to figure out his shot against good opponents.  If he does then perhaps he can get some PT this year.  

[MUMonster03]

Jake said he wanted to leave due to playing time, right? So does that mean that Buzz has told/guaranteed him significant court time?

Don't have the time to look it up right now but I think the PT reason was just all fan conjecture. I don't think we were ever really privy to his real reasons for leaving.

[MUfan12]

They're two under. They have 4 freshmen already, so taking another is a long shot. Can't really go after a JUCO. So they're exploring a 1 year transfer again, but two of those would be very unlikely.

Don't discount Wardle's situation at GB, either. Almost positive that had something to do with him coming back.

[Ari Gold]

[PaintTouchesSays]

Thomas set to return to Marquette
      

Written by: Mark Strotman
            

It's rare that a high-school recruit de-commits and then re-commits to that same school. And it's even rarer that a player is publicly set to transfer from a school and ultimately returns just two weeks later. But that's what has ... Continue reading →


            

http://painttouches.com/2013/04/18/thomas-set-to-return-to-marquette/
      

[nyg]

Is that now 4 openings for 2014? 

The 2013 class is great, the 2014 class I hope is exceptional. 

Good for Thomas, another summer to get that 3 point shot back. 

[jesmu84]

Don't have the time to look it up right now but I think the PT reason was just all fan conjecture. I don't think we were ever really privy to his real reasons for leaving.

https://www.facebook.com/MarquetteMensBB?hc_location=timeline

April 9 - Junior guard Jake Thomas has asked for his release and it was granted by Marquette University. Thomas arrived on campus as a walk-on and was awarded a scholarship the last two seasons because the program had one available below the NCAA maximum of 13.

The Racine, Wis., native wasn't going to receive a scholarship in 2013-14 based on the size of the current incoming recruiting class.

"We are grateful for all the energy and work Jake put in our program while he was here," head coach Buzz Williams said. "He was a great teammate, and I am thankful for my relationship with Jake and his entire family. As a graduate student, he is looking for a new opportunity, and we are all in complete support of that."

"My decision wasn't based on whether or not I had a scholarship for next season," Thomas said. "Buzz had explained to me when I first got here that a scholarship for my third year was unlikely. I just want to have my last year of college basketball be at a program where I can play significant minutes and contribute to a team.

"My two years at MU have been some of the best of my life and I have loved the opportunity to be closer to my family, Thomas added. "All of the coaches at MU have been helpful during this process and understand my situation."

[Coleman]

I like this move. Reward the kid and leave a scholarship open for 13-14. If only they could have finalized this sooner to avoid the whole "pulling his scholarship" debacle with Mike Hunt.

[jesmu84]

MUBB Facebook, today:

Junior guard Jake Thomas has decided to return for the 2013-14 campaign with the Marquette University men's basketball team after asking for his release at the conclusion of the season.

"After thinking it over and talking with my family about the situation, along with the help of Buzz, I have decided to finish my career at Marquette," Thomas said. "It has been a great two years and I am looking forward to what the future holds.

"I am incredibly thankful for all the coaches who took the time to reach out to me during this process and I wish them the best next season," Thomas added.
Thomas will continue to be a scholarship student-athlete at MU.

The Racine, Wis., native appeared in 23 games off the bench in 2012-13 and averaged 9.0 minutes per contest in his first season on the court for Marquette. He redshirted in 2011-12 after two years at South Dakota.

"We are excited Jake has decided to return for his last year of eligibility," head coach Buzz Williams said. "Our conversations leading up to his release and throughout the last few weeks have been very transparent. He has always been welcome in our program and represents everything that our program is built on."

[Coleman]

"My decision wasn't based on whether or not I had a scholarship for next season," Thomas said. "Buzz had explained to me when I first got here that a scholarship for my third year was unlikely. I just want to have my last year of college basketball be at a program where I can play significant minutes and contribute to a team.

Nonsense. Of course it was. He probably said that to avoid controversey so it didn't look like his scholarship was being "pulled." He was trying to avoid looking like a martyr to avoid making MU look bad. It was a classy move, but as today proves, it was about his scholarship all along. And you can't fault the guy. I would have done the exact same thing all the way up through today, given the changing circumstances.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Gets to defend his ProAm MVP title now...

[LloydMooresLegs]

Is that now 4 openings for 2014? 

The 2013 class is great, the 2014 class I hope is exceptional. 

Good for Thomas, another summer to get that 3 point shot back. 

Graduating at the end of 2013 (or, in Thomas's case, finishing his eligibility with a year of grad school):

Otule
Gardner
Wilson
Thomas

[muarmy81]

Is anyone talking with Jamal??!!

Better yet, what about Vander!