Mike Thomas to redshirt 2016-17 season
The University of Hawai’i basketball team announced today that senior forward Mike Thomas will redshirt during the 2016-17 season due to a wrist injury. Thomas is the lone returning starter from last season’s historic 28-6 team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Here is the official announcement from www.hawaiiathletics.com:
University of Hawai’i men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot announced that senior forward Mike Thomas will redshirt the 2016-17 season. Thomas suffered a right wrist injury earlier this summer and recently underwent surgery that will sideline him a minimum of four to six months.
“While I’m disappointed I won’t be playing this year, I’m excited about this year’s team and look forward to supporting my teammates in every way I can,” Thomas said. “We have a lot of newcomers and they know they can count on me to be there for them. My goal is to work hard, attack rehab and return to the court at full strength next season.”
Ganot said: “Mike embodies all the qualities you look for in a student-athlete and he’s been a terrific ambassador for our program and the University. He’ll tackle this setback with the same focus and determination that makes him such a special person. Though we’ll miss Mike’s production on the court this year, his presence will continue to be invaluable for our program moving forward.”
Thomas is the lone UH starter returning from last year’s squad that won a school-record 28 games. The native of Woodland Hills, Calif., averaged 7.9 ppg and 5.6 rpg, and was one of just two players who started all 34 games last season.
And then there were none. Wow, talk about disappointing news. I wish Mike well on his rehab, and hope he returns for his final year of eligibility as he’ll likely graduate before then. He’s such a classy kid, and, as Ganot says, a great ambassador for the program and everything you could ask for in a student-athlete.
McInnis reporting that the injury may have happened during a summer league game. It’s no wonder he stopped showing up, and … other than Gibson, no one else did.
I commented about Mike’s surgery on 8/5 in the Gibson post. This red shirt year is perfect timing as at least MT will have one more chance at the Big West with a team that has had a chance to gel together this season. A players dream is to play in the post season tourney during their career. Maybe he can work towards playing the 3 that AV did next year. EG doesn’t give him what he wants, maybe he leaves the program and not okay next year.
Jakob not returning, per McInnis. We have 12 players, if Buggs can’t play this season.
I think the UH staff must of got word that the NCAA penalty of postseason ban is staying and that is why Mike T redshirt. If UH still had a chance for playoffs then would be smarter to not announce anything and keep the possibility that Mike T could recover in time to help the team for conference games. JMHO.
the return of the injury curse of summer league for UH players…i bet gibson won’t play summer league next year
Wishing you a speedy and full recovery, Mike!
Mike can focus on his studies this year and, if he’s still around next year, get a Master’s degree. Oh, and get another chance to play in the post season!
Patty Mills, who was here for a UH basketball camp as reported by Warrior Insider on June 8, was the leading scorer for Australia vs. USA in the Olympics yesterday with 30 pts. Also the leading scorer in the tournament. Durant was 2 for 4 on 3 Pt FG’s, but only 4 for 16 overall in the game.
Get well Mike, focus on school this year. Physically will be out of basketball, but stay in the game mentally, he’ll be better with one more year of mental experience.
UH will probably be 4th in Big West this year.
6-8 Ido Flaisher to be added to UH roster, per McInnis and the rumor i posted on a previous post.
looks like Ido can score with either hand inside. Pretty good for an 18 yr old player.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM_St8FloMw
… from Mcinnis, Hawaii Warrior World.
To liven up your evening :
https://twitter.com/_DrizzyDrew_/status/765061509294678016