Ibrahima Thomas

[catscratchfever]

Does anyone know how many games he will miss before he is eligible?
Will he be back for the shootout?

[GoCats1994]

Won't know for sure until the schedule comes out.

He will be eligible (I believe) at the conclusion of the fall quarter.

[bearcatbret]

Won't know for sure until the schedule comes out.

He will be eligible (I believe) at the conclusion of the fall quarter.

Correct you are.

[bearcated]

Probably first or second week of December, depending upon when first quarter is over.

[milfordcats]

Last year the shootout was the day fall quarter officially ended.

[gocats13]

Hopefully he will be eligible to take place in the beat down we will give those losers over in cintas center.

Quick side note his name is Ibrahima. I've seen a bunch of different variations of it on this board and just thought i would set it straight.

[bearcatbret]

Quick side note his name is Ibrahima. I've seen a bunch of different variations of it on this board and just thought i would set it straight.

I believe that I heard Mick say that they just call him Thomas.

[catscratchfever]

It would def be nice to have him in the lineup against those losers. I personally can't wait to see Yancy dominate the ogre Kenny Frease.

[juckerrules]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ibrahima-Thomas-1142/


September 8, 2008
Despite experiencing an up and down freshman season marred with inconsistency, Ibrahima Thomas comes into this upcoming campaign with some solid playing time and experience underneath his belt, which is exactly what he needed considering his background.

Showing great size at 6-11, with an outstanding wingspan, Thomas is always going to catch people’s attention when he first steps foot on the court. He is about 20-30 pounds from his optimal weight, though, and is not what you would call a very fluid athlete at this point, looking a bit clumsy and uncoordinated the way raw African prospects at times do. His hands are just average and he doesn’t have very much to speak of in the ways of his footwork around the basket.

What’s interesting about Thomas is that he shows an intriguing skill-level facing the basket, being capable of knocking down shots with a pretty nice looking stroke, good enough to hit 11 3-pointers in his freshman season, at an inconsistent 32% clip. This is a nice asset for a player his size to have, but he should not fall in love with it, as he tended to do at times rushing up bad shots immediately once he caught the ball on the perimeter, which led to some very awkward misses in which he did not even draw iron.

As the season progressed, Thomas did a better job of contributing to Oklahoma State, in small doses. He showed some sparks of potential posting up aggressively and knocking down short hook shots and turn-around jumpers inside. Nothing incredible, but enough to show that he is making progress and is willing to use his size and touch to get his team high percentage shots. His timing, decision making skills and all-around offensive polish obviously have a long ways to go, but there may be some room for optimism based on the early results. He showed a pretty decent knack for crashing the offensive glass as well.

On the negative side, Thomas showed very little in the ways of passing ability, turning the ball over five times for every assist he dished out, and only shot a mediocre 58% from the free throw line. He wasn’t much of a shot-blocking presence at all (just 1.1 per 40 minutes), and was incredibly foul prone, averaging 7.1 fouls per-40 on the season. He needs to work on his body to maximize as much of his athleticism as he can (he’s fairly average in this regard), as well as his hands to make him at least somewhat of a consistent threat to catch the ball and finish inside.

Thomas can’t be viewed as anything less than a 4-year prospect at this point in time until he manages to show otherwise, but he will get some looks regardless because of his size, length and budding perimeter skills. The type of work ethic he displays will likely determine how far he is able to make it in professional basketball. He’s playing catch-up right now and has a lot of ground to make up.

[catscratchfever]

not sure what you're saying jucker? Are you saying that we shouldn't worry about him leaving early?

[Antonio]

I think he's saying the scouting report on him from last fall, before he transferred, was don't except much for awhile, and then only if his work ethic is good.

Thomas is another example of a way to evaluate Cronin as a coach. Sounds like he has all the physical tools, but needs to be coached into a force.

[juckerrules]

not sure what you're saying jucker? Are you saying that we shouldn't worry about him leaving early?
Just that he's probably not going to come in here and be a big factor

[Joe_Pong]

Just that he's probably not going to come in here and be a big factor

I would be shocked if he was a really big factor. He may be forced to play quite a bit because we have absolutely nothing up front other than Gates, but he's no better than guys like Biggie who we already have.

[NorrisHopper30]

Ibrahima will be a factor he brings a ton of energy and everyone likes him. Not to mention he's 7 foot and can hit the 3 ball pretty well. He runs the floor great for a man his size.

[MDW79]

I would be shocked if he was a really big factor. He may be forced to play quite a bit because we have absolutely nothing up front other than Gates, but he's no better than guys like Biggie who we already have.

Care to elaborate on what you're basing this on? I'm going to guess no.

[Richard_Head]

I would be shocked if he was a really big factor. He may be forced to play quite a bit because we have absolutely nothing up front other than Gates, but he's no better than guys like Biggie who we already have.

They only lost Mike Williams and I think Thomas can step into that role. Everything I have read about Thomas says the reason he transfered is he didn't want to play C with his back to the basket. Gates fills that role, so he should be a better player here then with OSU.

[bearcatbret]

I have heard that Thomas is full of energy and passion. Something that was missing last year. I hope it is contagious.

[Joe_Pong]

Yeah, and Mike Williams is an absolute beast who will be the best player on the team once he plays...

I've heard this all before.

[bearcatbret]

Yeah, and Mike Williams is an absolute beast who will be the best player on the team once he plays...

I've heard this all before.

And if Williams and Thomas were on the team at the same time, UC would be NC. But seriously, the two are completely different. Mike sat out two years and was coming off major surgery. Thomas is an unpolished player who has only played a few years but has the tools to become good. I look for his energy to be contagious where Williams was more of an introvert. Thomas should also be able to give Gates and Toyloy some rest while still grabbing his rebounds and altering shots.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I have heard that Thomas is full of energy and passion. Something that was missing last year. I hope it is contagious.

A friend who coaches in the Big 12 says he is a VERY good player and will see lots of PT for UC.

[juckerrules]

A friend who coaches in the Big 12 says he is a VERY good player and will see lots of PT for UC.

Anyone who averages 4 fouls every 20 minutes is not going to see a whole lot of PT

[Bearcat Cafe]

Caught 3 Okie State games at the start of the year and Thomas happened to be one of the 2 players on that team that really jumped out for me Kid is really athletic and can get up and down the court. Been a while since UC has had a PF with this kid's athleticism, size, and length.

[Carl]

Anyone who averages 4 fouls every 20 minutes is not going to see a whole lot of PT

You can't tell why he had so many fouls. Sounds like he did not want to play inside and OSU made him play inside....but I'm speculating. It just disturbs me when a 6'11" basketball player wants to lay "facing the basket." He is a SF/PF not PF/C, IMO. I like Toyloy and will bet he plays more than Thomas.

[Carl]

Caught 3 Okie State games at the start of the year and Thomas happened to be one of the 2 players on that team that really jumped out for me Kid is really athletic and can get up and down the court. Been a while since UC has had a PF with this kid's athleticism, size, and length.

Okay. Sounds good. I hope you are right.

[Lobot]

I have not seen a picture of Thomas. The way people are describing him is Kevin Garnett like. Is this a fair comparison size wise?

[NorrisHopper30]

Anyone who averages 4 fouls every 20 minutes is not going to see a whole lot of PT

Did you ever think that the reason he had so many fouls is that he was playing out of position in the 5 spot? He can play the 5, but I think he'll be much better in the 4 defensively and offensively. He's not very thick so i'm sure the big boys in the big 12 picked on Ibrahima. Put on a little weight and he'll be fine in the 4 spot.

Ibrahima is similar to KG from what I've seen, he's the exact same height as Biggie and is long and lanky like KG. He's got that attitude as well and brings a ton of energy. You could see him during games last year he was always excited on the bench, I can't wait to see him play.

[Joe_Pong]

Yeah, he's Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudamire, Tim Duncan, and Dwight Howard all rolled into one. Even though he wasn't very good at Oklahoma State, I am sure his TRUE talent will suddenly emerge the minute he puts on a bearcat uniform...

[NorrisHopper30]

Yeah, he's Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudamire, Tim Duncan, and Dwight Howard all rolled into one. Even though he wasn't very good at Oklahoma State, I am sure his TRUE talent will suddenly emerge the minute he puts on a bearcat uniform...

Heaven forbid you actually read his post, in which he asked what Ibrahima Thomas LOOKED LIKE.

[bearcat1518]

Ironically, Oklahoma State has been one of my favorite teams after the Bearcats of course. I watch them quite frequently (especially since a lot of Oklahoma State players were guys that almost signed with UC; Marrio Boggan, Bryon Eaton, Torre Johnson, etc.)

Anyways, Thomas is a great athlete and will be an above average player for UC. Not saying he will be All Big East, but he should average 10 ppg and 5 rpg easy. He got so many fouls because the Oklahoma St bench was extremely thin, and they played extremely aggressive. He is a very unique player as well...a 7 footer that can run the floor, dunk, and block shots. He needs to toughen up and rebound better. He shoots the 3 well also. If UC intends to run...he will be an awesome fit. It will be interesting to see him and Gates on the floor at the same time.

He is by far one of the better big men we have seen in a while.

[Pharmfam]

Yeah, he's Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudamire, Tim Duncan, and Dwight Howard all rolled into one. Even though he wasn't very good at Oklahoma State, I am sure his TRUE talent will suddenly emerge the minute he puts on a bearcat uniform...

He asked if that was a fair comparison size-wise. There seems to be an excessive level of vitriol spewing forth. I guess the moderators agree.

[Lobot]

He asked if that was a fair comparison size-wise. There seems to be an excessive level of vitriol spewing forth. I guess the moderators agree.

You said it , I didn't :rolleyes:

[Richard_Head]

Yeah, he's Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudamire, Tim Duncan, and Dwight Howard all rolled into one. Even though he wasn't very good at Oklahoma State, I am sure his TRUE talent will suddenly emerge the minute he puts on a bearcat uniform...

Seriously do you ever have anything good to say about UC you do realize this is a UC forum correct. I don't think he was being compared talent wise to Garnett I think it was more body type. And it sounds like he was forced to play out of position, I have never seen him play but he sounds like a face up shooter not a back to the basket player like OSU wanted him to be.

[Richard_Head]

You said it , I didn't :rolleyes:

Can we just stop these guys from posting?

[Richard_Head]

Ironically, Oklahoma State has been one of my favorite teams after the Bearcats of course. I watch them quite frequently (especially since a lot of Oklahoma State players were guys that almost signed with UC; Marrio Boggan, Bryon Eaton, Torre Johnson, etc.)

Anyways, Thomas is a great athlete and will be an above average player for UC. Not saying he will be All Big East, but he should average 10 ppg and 5 rpg easy. He got so many fouls because the Oklahoma St bench was extremely thin, and they played extremely aggressive. He is a very unique player as well...a 7 footer that can run the floor, dunk, and block shots. He needs to toughen up and rebound better. He shoots the 3 well also. If UC intends to run...he will be an awesome fit. It will be interesting to see him and Gates on the floor at the same time.

He is by far one of the better big men we have seen in a while.

This sounds like the plan and I hope what you say is true

[Lobot]

Can we just stop these guys from posting?

In this particular case we did, for a long time.

[richard k.]

In this particular case we did, for a long time.

I was wondering about that because the number of "blocked" posts notices I received went way down. Unfortunately it has recently increased, and a number of those I don't block are quoting those people and returning to the old beaten to death themes over and over. :(

[Globe Trotting Cat Fan]

I am hopeful, and as of this moment I have no reason to believe that Thomas will not be a nice addition to our team this year.

At his height and athleticism, if he can come in and make the 15 footer to open up the lane effectively, Yancy should be able to get even more work done, and a more confident slashing Davis or Dixon (or even Kilpatrick or Wilks) should be able to drive more effectively.