Saint Thomas, a forward on the Northern Colorado men’s basketball team in 2023-24, is transferring to the University of Southern California.
Thomas announced the move Sunday afternoon in a social media post with the word “committed” in all capital letters below photos of him wearing a gold Trojans’ uniform. Other photos show Thomas in other USC jerseys and posing with new coach Eric Musselman.
Musselman was announced as coach in early April to replace Andy Enfield, who left for Southern Methodist. USC, a Power Five program and charter member of the Pac 12 Conference, will become a member of the Big 10 Conference beginning in 2024-25.
Thomas’ move to USC marks the second time in two years a UNC men’s player left the program for a Power Five conference in Division I, where are the most prominent leagues or conferences.
Last year, Bears forward Dalton Knecht transferred to Tennessee after averaging 20.2 points in his second season at UNC. The 6-foot-6, 213-pound Knecht was a scoring machine for the Volunteers, averaging 21.7 points; received loads of attention nationally and nominations for postseason awards; and was named a first-team Associated Press All-American.
Knecht is now a highly regarded prospect for the NBA draft in June.
Thomas in March announced his intention to leave UNC while pursuing both the NBA and the NCAA transfer portal.
“Grateful beyond words for the unwavering support from everyone who’s been part of my journey,” Thomas said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, in announcing his move. “Omaha, Chicago, Greeley and beyond. Your belief in me has meant everything.”
The 6-foot-7 Thomas took UNC and the Big Sky Conference by storm in his only season in Greeley, turning into one of the best players in the conference and one of the best ever to play for the Bears. He was named the Big Sky Conference newcomer of the year for 2023-24 and was a unanimous first-team all-Big Sky selection.
Thomas averaged 19.7 points and 9.8 rebounds while starting every game after transferring from Loyola University Chicago.
Thomas was one of the most honored Big Sky Conference players through the regular season along with Weber State junior Dillon Jones. Jones and Thomas combined to earn 13 of the 16 conference player of the week awards from the Big Sky, and they were among the leaders all year for the scoring and rebounding titles.
Jones, who finished the season as the Big Sky’s top scorer, was named player of the week seven times. Thomas was named player of the week either alone or with another player six times through the season.
Thomas this season was the first UNC men’s player in program history to record at least 500 points, 250 rebounds and 100 assists in a season (133). He’s the only UNC men’s player with 600 points (631) and 300 rebounds in a season (315).
His 53 steals this year are a school record in the Division I era, dating to the early 2000s. In the same span, his rebounds and 86.8% foul shooting were second at UNC.
Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Thomas played high school basketball at Millard North High School where he was a member of the state championship team in 2020-21.
Thomas wasn’t the only UNC men’s basketball player who entered the portal this spring. Four other men added their names into the database of college transfers: guard Connor Creech, guard Jalen Page, guard Mekhi Cameron and forward Juju Ramirez.
