Howard Pulley’s High-Flying Forward Jarvis Thomas Commits To Minnesota
Jarvis Thomas sat inside the Ridgeview Center at Orono (MN) High School early Monday evening, ready as ever to let the hoops world know where he would play in college. There were no nerves or need for a last-minute meeting to decide. Instead, he spent time jet skiing on Lake Minnetonka and went to the mall to enjoy cookies and cream ice cream.
Not a bad way to spend the night before the big decision.
On Tuesday, the 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward for Orono (MN) and Howard Pulley (MN) announced he will stay near home and attend Minnesota. Although a final list was never made, he chose the Gophers over other offers from Marquette and Wake Forest.
Jarvis Thomas https://t.co/4x83bd8GKn
— FloHoops (@FloHoops) July 18, 2017
“Everything was so smooth when I was there,” Thomas said of his unofficial visit to Minnesota last month. “It just felt easy.”
Staying close to home did not play a huge factor for Thomas. In fact, the high-flying highlight dunker and versatile defender who averaged 7.0 points and 6.3 rebounds during the Nike EYBL season would have played anywhere. It just so happened the right fit was with Minnesota and coach Richard Pitino.
“Just walking around, seeing everything, I could just see myself there,” Thomas said. “[The coaching staff] all kind of balance each other out, and they’re all really good dudes and come from different walks. So they kind of understand things some other coaches wouldn’t.”
Thomas is one of the fastest-rising prospects in his class and will join Howard Pulley teammate and Flo40 No. 25 center Daniel Oturu on the Gophers campus for the 2018-19 season.
“It’s awesome,” Thomas noted. “Me and him have a really good relationship right now. I think it’s only going to get stronger.”
There was never a doubt in his mind he could play high-major basketball. He has the physical ability and work ethic to excel at the next level. Now it is official, and he won’t have to move far.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “You can’t beat the love of the crowd.”