MEN'S BASKETBALL

FSU hoops star Thomas declared ineligible

Corey Clark
Democrat senior writer

It's already been a tough year for the Florida State men's basketball team.

And it just got a whole lot tougher.

The school announced on Friday evening that junior guard Aaron Thomas, who is averaging a team-best 14.8 points per game, is ineligible for the rest of the 2014-2015 season.

"The Seminoles left today for South Bend, Indiana where they will take on Notre Dame tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. in the ACC opener for both teams," the release read. "Coach (Leonard) Hamilton will have no further comment at this time on the announcement."

Thomas missed two games for the Seminoles (4-4) earlier this season with an illness. On Thursday, Hamilton talked about the All-ACC candidate working himself back into shape over the last week.

"Aaron still needs another game or two under his belt so we can get back to what we'd like him to be," Hamilton said.

But that won't happen this season.

Thomas, who scored 25 points in the Seminoles' last game, also led Florida State in scoring a season ago.