Junior college point guard DaVeon Thomas commits to Cincinnati basketball for next season

Preparing for a future without current grad student David DeJulius, the University of Cincinnati men's basketball program added a point guard for the 2023-24 season with the commitment of DaVeon Thomas out of Kilgore Community College in Texas Thursday.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder from Columbia, South Carolina, is averaging 19.6 points per game to lead Kilgore's Rangers, one of the top junior college programs. He's also pulling down 6.2 rebounds per game with 3.2 assists. From the field, he's shooting 45.6%, 36.4% from 3-point range and he's hitting 86% of his free throws.

5 observations:Cincinnati's AAC win over Tulsa Wednesday

Thomas made the announcement via Twitter slightly after noon Eastern Thursday.

Kilgore Community College PG DaVeon Thomas is 'explosive', 'crafty'

Thomas, who also goes by "DaDa (pronounced day-day)" is coached by Brian Hoberecht at Kilgore. Kilgore uses the words "explosive" and "crafty" in describing his top scorer.

"He's a great playmaker, scorer and defender," Hoberecht said. "Dada has the ability to impact the game at both ends. He can score off the bounce, from three and at the rim. He'll be a fan favorite with his competitive nature and demeanor. He plays with a big smile on his face and plays really, really hard. I think the people of Cincinnati will fall in love with his style of play."

Thomas went to two different high schools in Columbia mainly because his original school didn't play basketball due to the coronavirus pandemic during his senior year. He finished at Ridgeview High School in Columbia.

DaVeon Thomas has become a fast rising prospect

Out of high school, he had only an offer from Presbyterian College in South Carolina. Since being at Kilgore, he's added offers including one from Bob Huggins at West Virginia. Instead, he's taken up Wes Miller's offer and will compete against the Mountaineers in the Big 12 next season. He was also offered by Penny Hardaway's Memphis Tigers, much of the Big 12, the SEC, ACC and Big 10.

One of his opponents next season will be former Kilgore backcourt teammate Dantwan Grimes who is with Baylor's Bears. Grimes is redshirting with Baylor this season.

"I'm ready!" Thomas said. "I'm a very competitive person."

Thomas credits the relationship built with the coaches at Cincinnati. He was in town to watch UC's 103-76 victory over Miami University on Dec. 14, their highest point total of the season. He was hosted by Mika Adams-Woods and Landers Nolley II and hopes to play with them in 2023-24.

"I had a great relationship with Coach (Chad) Dollar since Day One when he reached out to me," Thomas said. "I had a great relationship with Coach Miller. Having a great relationship with the head coach is pretty good. That's one of my top priorities."

Both Miller (North Carolina) and Dollar (USF) could relate to Thomas being former college point guards themselves.

Brandon Goble, co-owner of Verbal Commits, considers Thomas one of the top junior college point guards.

"Playmaking and I'm real big on defense, defending the ball," Thomas said when asked his top skills. "I get to my spot (offensively) and shoot the mid-range and the 3-ball."

Thomas has been Kilgore's leading scorer in 13 of its 22 games and had 22 points Wednesday night to lead his team. He will have two years of eligibility with the Bearcats and is expected to arrive in town come June.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati basketball recruiting: JUCO guard DaVeon Thomas commits