Maryland basketball needs Micah Thomas for the future more than for the present

Maryland basketball kicks off its season against American on Nov. 11. Until then, we’re profiling every member of the team.

Micah Thomas, small forward

Height: 6’7

Weight: 195 pounds

Year: Freshman

High school: Huntington Prep (West Virginia)

Jersey No.: 23

How Thomas got to College Park

Thomas was only a three-star recruit, but he earned Mr. Basketball honors in Tennessee's 2-AA division as a junior by averaging 14 points per game and shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. Maryland beat out Louisville for the rights to the 32nd-best small forward in the country, according to 247Sports Composite, when Thomas committed last March.

High school highlights

2016 prospectus

Before Justin Jackson’s commitment, it looked like Thomas would be the primary backup to Jared Nickens following Jake Layman’s graduation. Now Thomas could see himself behind Nickens, Jackson, and potentially even the ever-growing 6’7 Kevin Huerter on the wing.

Like Joshua Tomaic, Thomas’s focus for this season will be on adding muscle. He’s a 6’7 player who weighs 195, so he needs to add some bulk.

Thomas could find himself out of the rotation when Big Ten play starts, but he should get a chance to strut his stuff when Mark Turgeon experiments with lineups during a rather weak non-conference schedule. When he is on the court, Thomas will display his athleticism built around his 7'1 wingspan. Like Jackson, Thomas could also play at the top of Maryland's press because of his lanky arms.

Thomas was a deadly spot-up shooter in high school, but his unique shooting stroke, slow and low, might not translate to the college level. He is not going to demand the ball or initiate much offense when in the game, but Thomas could be an exceptional defensive talent when he bulks up. Should Thomas grow and put on more weight, he could transform into a stretch four.

What a dream season might look like

Thomas impresses in nonconference play and averages double-digit scoring, which is obviously highly improbable. He occupies the top of the press and excels sooner than we all thought he would.

Next player in the series

This freshman has a family connection to another Maryland sport.

Standings

kirby.oconnell.3 is the first two guess two right. Our congratulations, Kirby.

PeachesTerp and HughGR are in second place.