Having already received one verbal commitment from a front court prospect, UTEP head coach Tim Floyd received another Wednesday evening as 6-foot-8 forward Paul Thomas announced his decision to join the Conference USA program. Thomas joins center Christian Romine as 2015 prospects who have committed to UTEP thus far.
I have made my college decision and UTEP will be where i will continue my Basketball career. This is only the beginning .#Miners 🔨
— Paul Thomas (@paultootall41) September 25, 2014
Thomas, who officially visited UTEP last weekend, attends Summer Creek HS in Houston, Texas and played his grassroots basketball for the Houston Hoops program. Thomas’ versatility can serve UTEP well at both forward spots, and with Julian Washburn and Cedric Lang both being seniors that’s important.
Washburn was UTEP’s leading scorer last season, averaging 13.1 points per contest, and Lang chipped in with 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. In addition to those two the Miners will lose point guard C.J. Cooper at the end of the 2014-15 season, leaving sophomore Vince Hunter (12.3, 6.5) as their most productive returnee who will have eligibility remaining beyond the upcoming campaign.
Among the other programs to have offered Thomas during his recruitment were Houston, Rice, Temple and Texas Tech.