1. Why did you decide to sign with State Fair College?

It’s a small college in Sedalia, MO with a 25:1 faculty to student ratio. I believe I’ll get a lot of one-on-one time with the professors, as well as focus more on my sports career. I also decided on going here because I want to travel and study business, which is why I’ll be majoring in business international (they have that option for me). Finally, I decided to go here because I received a full ride basketball scholarship.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

It feels extremely surreal, because I’ve always considered myself an elite athlete, but to get the opportunity to play in college is one of the best feelings.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

The best advice I believe I can give to other athletes is, do not depend on your coaches and school counselors. You should go online and make an online profile and go from there. As you continue with your online searches you will learn more and more about different colleges and began filling out sport questionnaires.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My father has been the biggest influence in my sports career because he was a student-athlete. He has been supportive of my sports career since I’ve been playing. I also believe he was a huge influence, because he gave me the confidence to play sports. He would tell me when I didn’t do well, and then take me to the park to work on my weaknesses. He inspired me to become the best!

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

During my college sports career, I would like to see myself stepping out of my comfort zone. If the coach asks me to play a position I don’t really play, I would like to see myself taking on the challenge and become a better player. If I get the chance, I want learn how to play all positions.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Siena College?

It has a great academic program in mathematics and they also have a very competitive sports program for dedicated student-athletes.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I feel very excited having the blessing to be apart of what you love by playing the game of basketball. Playing college basketball at Siena will be a blessing for my family and I in the near future, and I’m very humble with the experience that God will present in the future.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

The advice I will give prospects that are going to be recruited is to stay focus and be patient with the future. God has blessings for everyone and if you stay focus and aggressive now, your future will be bright.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

I think my mother has been my greatest influence in my sports career because she carries a hard-working and independent attitude that serves as an example in my life. She puts God first and her family after. These actions serve as a lifelong testament both on and off the basketball court. Her strong personality rubs off on my passion for basketball. She’s a role model for a person like me and I love her for being there for me.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would like to accomplish a balance as a student-athlete. I want to challenge myself everyday and push my body and my mind to the limit to stay successful in college as a student-athlete.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Concordia College – Moorhead?

Inviting college atmosphere. Beautiful Campus. Great coaching staff, and an area I can easily call home in the future.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I’m extremely excited to become a collegiate athlete, but also very nervous about meeting the huge expectations. But in the end I feel I will do my job, and do it well.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Stay patient, your dream school will come. Don’t commit too fast.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

Michael Jordan. The GREATEST. I always pushed to have the work ethic/desire he did.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

Become a better player and more importantly a better man. Hopefully achieve some NCAA achievements.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Southeastern University?

I choose Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. because of the location, the Christian environment, and the new coach. When I went to visit the campus it felt like the right place for me. I felt like I could do well in the classroom and on the court too.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

Well, it’s a blessing because I didn’t think any college would offer me a scholarship. I know it will be a lot of work but I’m ready to work, I can’t wait.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Please, please take advantage of your opportunities, never take anything for granted, always play hard where ever you are playing, you never know who’s watching you. Keep a positive attitude; never play lazy, trust God. Work on your skill set, develop your game always.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My HS coaches and AAU coaches, but mostly my dad. He is a coach and he was always on me to work on my game to get better. If it wasn’t for him, I would not have a scholarship.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

Win a conference championship, national championship, graduate from college and hopefully play professionally overseas or get a job that pays well.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with West Virginia State University?

I chose this school because it is close to home, it isn’t very expensive, they have a great basketball and education program, and I like all of the coaches on the coaching staff.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I am extremely excited to be playing college basketball. It has been a dream of mine for awhile and I can’t wait to finally fulfill it. I am also excited to be representing my city and family as best as I can while still earning a degree.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Work as hard as you can. Find websites for recruiting. Make a video and send it places, maybe not everyone will look at it, but most will. Remember that not every school is the right one for you; you have to find one that fits you, both athletically and educationally.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My biggest influence in my sports career would probably be my high school coach. I may have only known him for a couple years, but he was my sports role model and he molded me into the player that I am today. He helped me grow as a person and a player and he is one of the reasons that I will be playing a college sport.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would like to be a perfect example of a student-athlete. I want to be able to succeed in the class and on the court. Also, I would like to improve my game and become a sixth man, role player, or possibly a starter.

Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Quincy University?

Quincy University is first class in academics and athletics. The town is great and they all support football, basketball and baseball by coming out and watching every game. I can’t wait to represent the city to the best of my ability.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

My athletic director told me to write down my one lifetime goal when I was a freshman. My goal never changed throughout high school: “I want to play collegiate basketball.” So right now, I’m living my dream and couldn’t ask for anything else.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Stay positive through your recruiting process. There will always be ups and downs along the way, but you need to consider all levels of play in college, DI, DII, DII, NAIA, and Junior College. If you don’t consider all the options, then you may end up having no options to play a college sport. Also, recruits need to go approach college coaches and show an interest in their program. Coaches will not come find you, especially if the recruit is attending a small high school, like I did.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My brother Jake Thomas. He has gone through so many ups and downs through his playing career. He now is one of the top football long snappers in the country today, with possible options to play professionally.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

Graduating is number one on the list. I plan to graduate from Quincy with a degree in International Business. On the basketball side of things, I’m just happy to be playing in college. I’m just going to play basketball to the best of my ability every single day I step on the court. That’s all I can control at this point.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Union College?

They have a great basketball program, and a beautiful campus. And they showed great interest in me. It was important that they offered my intended major, and when I found out that they did, that sealed the deal.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

It’s a great feeling to know that my hard work has paid off, and I have the opportunity to play college basketball. I am living out my dreams.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Stay persistent, if you want to be noticed, send your tapes to schools, and ask your high school coach to get in contact with those colleges. Don’t get discouraged, and don’t be scared to talk to these coaches.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My step dad. He taught me the mental aspects of the game that I needed. He taught me to stay strong-minded, and calm. He taught me to never let my attitude get the best of me, and I can do anything I put my mind to.

5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?

I want to win and bring a title back to Union. I want to be a leader on and off the court, and Lord willing, play professional basketball someday.

Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.

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When watching the NBA Playoffs almost every fan will have some kind of gripe against the refs at one point or another. There’s always a game or two where you feel your team got the short end of the stick when it came to the whistles. Some will say that’s part of home court advantage, some say the more aggressive team is given the benefit of the doubt, and some will claim the league is flat out rigged.

However the game ends up being called, the primary thing both players and fans will ask for is consistency and it’s the particular lack of consistency that has made the refereeing of this years playoffs so controversial. While there have been scattered inconsistencies throughout this year’s playoffs, game 5 of the Miami-Indiana series serves as a focal point for inconsistent calls and feeds the conspiracy theorists who believe in superstar calls and league-favored teams. The controversy in the game is over the definition of a personal foul, a flagrant 1, and a flagrant 2.

Lets look at a flagrant 1 that is given to Tyler Hansbrough for his foul on Dwayne Wade. In the play Hansbrough definitely swings down on the ball with a lot of force, making contact with Wade’s head. Hansbrough was undoubtedly making a play on the ball, but if you want to say he used unnecessary force, thus making it a flagrant 1, that is fine, but that also creates a standard.

Now lets look at the flagrant that was given to Udonis Haslem for his foul on Tyler Hansbrough. This play was ruled a flagrant 1 despite the fact that Haslem clearly makes NO attempt to make a play on the ball and instead forcefully throws both arms at Hansbrough’s face, undoubtedly in retaliation for Hansbrough’s foul on Wade earlier in the game. If Hansbrough’s foul was ruled a flagrant 1, there is no doubt this should be ruled a flagrant 2 (as announcer Steve Kerr immediately notes) due to the fact that the foul is an unnecessary and forceful blow to the face, with no attempt to go for the ball, and is likely a retaliation play. Despite this, the foul is ruled a flagrant 1 and Halsem, a key player for Miami due to Bosh’s injury, is allowed to play the remainder of the game. Sure, Haslem has been suspended for the upcoming game 6, but the fact remains that he was allowed to play in a critical game 5 for Miami and will also be available for a game 7 if the series goes that far. Was Hansbrough punished by the refs for the fact that he got up after that foul, rather than lying on the ground as if he was shot like Wade did earlier in the game? Let’s also consider that in instances like this, referees are instructed to call flagrant 2 fouls, as those are then reviewable, where as flagrant 1 fouls are not. So by this judgment, the referees are saying that this is clearly not a flagrant 2 foul. Put me down as suspect.

Lets then look at the foul by Dexter Pittman on Lance Stephenson that was also dubbed a flagrant 1. Not even the biggest Miami homer can argue that foul should not be an immediate ejection. Not to mention Pittman’s wink over to the Miami bench, making Pittman’s clear act of revenge that more disgusting. And once again this was called a flagrant 1.

To go even further in the case of referee inconsistency in the series came when Dwayne was called for a flagrant for his foul on Darren Collison. While I don’t disagree that this should be a flagrant 1 foul, it is hard to argue that Wade made much of any play on the ball and simply lowered his shoulder into the back of a defenseless Collison. Let’s just say that wouldn’t fly on the playground. The inconsistency comes in the fact that earlier in the year Jason Smith committed a near identical foul on Blake Griffin and was suspended 2 games for it. That sets the precedent. What was Wade’s consequence? No suspension. No fine. Some may argue that it’s the nature of playoff basketball and that playoff suspensions should be for only really harmful plays. To that school of thought I offer you James Posey’s foul on Kirk Heinrich that landed him a 1 game suspension…and that was in a playoff game.

Can I sense some major favoritism given to the stars of the game? If Louis Amundson had committed the same foul against Wade (and inevitably see Wade lay on the floor for an hour, whilst having LeBron negotiating with the refs) would we be looking at a suspension? No doubt about it. Wade’s ‘attacker’ would have been immediately removed from the game, would probably face a suspension (like Smith and Posey), and he would probably be talked about like some kind of arch villain on Sportscenter. Similarly, if Jason Smith committed on Reggie Evans rather than NBA golden boy Blake Griffin, there is no way a 2 game suspension would have been handed out. Unfortunately that is the NBA David Stern has created and allowed today. It almost seems as if the league and media are yearning for the superstar driven league we saw in the 80s and 90s. That desire is putting a serious damper on the game. People complain about the diva attitude that many NBA stars display? Blame the entitlement that league has given these players based on their superstar treatment. If the NBA wants to get rid of the growing conspiracy theories, its inconsistencies like these that need to be amended. Will Indiana retaliate? Lets just say game 6 will be a fun one to watch.

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As the first round of this year’s NBA Playoffs begins to wrap up we’ve certainly had some surprises as well as some disappointments. We’ve seen incredible performances as some well…flat out mystifying ones. Here are a few thoughts on what has occurred thus far…

1. The Knicks just aren’t that good. Despite all the hype about Melo, Linsanity, STAT, and Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler and despite being a headline love child for the major media outlets, we can finally see that the Knicks simply aren’t a great team and deserved that 8th seed. I know they had some injuries, I know that the Heat are a great team, and I know fire extinguishers are a very formidable opponent…but its hard to deny that this Knicks team was pretty over hyped.

2. The Pacers are the anti-Knicks. How can a team that finished with the 3rd seed be so under the radar? Despite the lack of a true superstar, this Pacers team is loaded with very good players. Danny Granger, David West, Roy Hibbert, George Hill, Paul George, Darren Collison with names such as Leandro Barbosa and Tyler Hansbrough off the bench. They may not all be household names, but that is a VERY good team with a lot of talent and depth. Don’t be shocked if they give the Heat a serious run for their money.

3. The Spurs and the Thunder are for REAL. Both of these teams are an absolute joy to watch. In terms of the Spurs, Duncan has found the fountain of youth, Parker is playing some of the best basketball in the league, they have an incredibly deep roster, and play possibly the best team basketball of any team out there. You want to know how basketball is supposed to be played? Watch the Spurs. The Thunder, on the other hand, are just so difficult to contain. Durant, Westbrook, and Harden are nearly impossible to stop…if you corral one, another will go off. We saw this against the Mavs. Games 1-3 were all very close, but Durant, Westbrook, and Harden each took over one of those games and got the Thunder a win. It’s hard to do much about that.

4. Andre Miller is incredible. There’s a lot of buzz about Javale McGee following the Nuggetts win in game 5 and deservedly so…he played great, but this overlooks the absolute CLINIC put on by Andre Miller in that game. Post moves, floater, bank shot, lob pass, spin move, you name it and Miller put it on display AND made it look easy. The fact that Miller has no speed, can barely jump, and is older than every single player on the Lakers roster, yet is still able to dominate a game…that is incredible. I’m not sure about George Karl’s claim about Miller being a top 10 point guard of all time, but this guy might have a serious claim to top 10 most underrated of all time.

5. Javale McGee has made himself some serious cash. You think McGee doesn’t know he’s a restricted free agent this summer? Something tells me he’s going to be getting a lot more than that $3.5M qualifying offer after his performance in the Lakers series.

6. Was Josh Smith serious with that inbounds pass? I know the Hawks got away with it because Rondo fumbled the ball at the end and it will probably be overlooked and forgotten, but come on. You are going to throw a bounce pass right at one of the league’s great steal artists…and expect to get away with it? Imagine if Rondo didn’t fumble the ball afterwards and ended up scoring…that play ends the Hawks’ season. I guess that’s why they are the Hawks.

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With the NBA Playoffs starting Saturday, we had a couple of our bloggers makes some predictions for how things will pan out.

What’s the most intriguing 1st round matchup?

Kyle Williams – Definitely the Memphis/Clippers series. Both teams have the talent to win the West and the athleticism of both teams should make this series a really fun and exciting one to watch. The Celtics/Hawks and Lakers/Nuggets matchups also have potential to be very interesting.

Dave Vinluan – Clippers vs Grizzlies. Interested in seeing how CP3 plays in the postseason with his new squad.

Jeff Morgan – The one I’m looking forward to the most is probably the Grizzlies vs. Clippers. Tons of young talent on both teams, both with something to prove, should be a really entertaining series to say the least. Close 2nd would be Knicks-Heat, If Melo continues his torrid pace and Amare can be Amare, Knicks just might be able to give the heat a series, at the very least a couple of close games. Should be a fun one.

Biggest Potential 1st round upset?

Kyle Williams – Nuggets over the Lakers. The Lakers are definitely a more talented team, but they have struggled with consistency this season and if that continues, the Nuggets have the athleticism and depth to run the Lakers into the ground. The Knicks also have a shot at upsetting the Heat as they have a lot of talent on that roster, but so does Miami so I find it hard to see the Knicks winning more than 2 games.

Dave Vinluan – Knicks over Heat.

Jeff Morgan – If Atlanta was any team besides Atlanta I would say they have a good shot at upsetting the older Celtics. They’re more athletic, and have more size than the C’s down low and if they put everything together I can see them pulling off the upset. Watch out for Denver too. They have always played the Lakers well, especially at home, if the Lakers lose either game 1 or 2, Nuggets have the talent to capitalize.

Who wins the West?

Kyle Williams – Thunder. While the Spurs and Grizzlies are playing great basketball, it will be hard for anyone to compete with the athleticism and scoring ability that the Thunder bring to the table. They are a great team at home and the Durant/Westbrook/Harden combination will be very hard to stop along with Ibaka and Perkins anchoring the defense down low.

Dave Vinluan – OKC Thunder. Westbrook and the scoring champion, the Durantula will take this team far.

Jeff Morgan – As much as I want to say the Lakers, to me the Thunder are the team to beat. They’re super talented, they have size down low, Durant and Westbrook are one of the best 1-2 punch in the league, with a healthy James Harden I can’t see a team beating them 4 times. If they get past the Lakers (potentially) in the 2nd round, look for them in the Finals.

Who wins the East?

Kyle Williams – Heat. Miami is just too talented and Derrick Rose’s health is a big time question for Chicago. Chicago has a potentially brutal series lined up with Boston that could wear them down a bit. I think the Bulls are the best team in the East, but Rose’s health is too uncertain for my liking.

Dave Vinluan – Chicago Bulls. Managed the #1 seed without Derrick Rose for most of the season, and it helps when you’ve got the White Mamba…

Jeff Morgan – This one is tougher because I can legitimately see 3 teams coming out of the East: Bulls, Heat, and Celtics. However, ECF we most likely be Heat and Bulls again, this series is a toss up, it all depends on who’s healthy and who’s playing the best coming into the series. I think the Heat have an easier path – NY and IND then the Bulls – PHI and BOS, so I’ll give the Heat the slight edge here and say the win it in 6.

Who wins the NBA Title?

Kyle Williams – Thunder. They have the talent and athleticism to compete with Miami and Westbrook will be a very difficult matchup. I will have to see Lebron win a title to believe it.

Dave Vinluan – OKC Thunder

Jeff Morgan – Who wins the NBA Title? I got Thunder-Heat in the FINALS. Which would be a hell of a series, and even though the Heat have more experience, I think the Thunder are too tough on their home court and win the championship in 7. Lebron and Co. will have to wait yet another season.

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