Top 10 Freshman Colorado Hawks’ Chris Thomas

The Colorado Hawks is the oldest AAU basketball program in Colorado established in 1997. It was started by George Williams.  He moved to Colorado from Arkansas and was a member of the Arkansas Hawks with Mike Conley. At that time the kids were not very good ball players and not recognized by AAU on the national scene. The state was known for football.  Basketball was only played in season and the high schools played 19 games max per year. Middle schools played 7 games. The Michael Ray Richardson and Chauncey Billups were the exceptions.

The Colorado Hawks started with one 6^thgrade team and the organization was  formed. “The team played year round and had to find games against older kids in recreation centers just to have teams to play with when basketball was not in season”. Two short years later the team was National Champions.  They beat Houston Hoops and the New York Gauchos, who were two top AAU programs in parents and AAU coaches, are just recently discovering what AAU Basketball in about.

With the Hawks, every player upon completing the program will have scholarship offers. Over 80% will attend college.  Each year new programs are formed. The most important thing for kids to realize is get in college and get your degree.  Not focusing on going to the NBA.

Coach Greg Willis first saw Chris Thomas when he was a 3^rd grader.  He immediately knew Chris was going to be something special. Chris was big for his age and could really handle the ball well. Coach Greg gave Chris a form to take home to have his grandfather complete it.  Later he realized that I already knew his grandfather. Chris played with the 4^th grade Hawks team but another coach had him playing inside. Coach Greg was the coach of the team when Chris became a 6^thgrader and moved him to the point guard position. Chris had natural instincts to be a great point guard that you cannot teach. His ability to pass and run a team was beyond his age. From the day he became point guard the rest is history.

Thomas’ AAU team should be considered the best in Colorado history. They have won more top national tournaments than any team in the history of Colorado basketball. Plus the tournaments were considered top tier tournaments due to the level of competition.  Almost every player on his team started for their high school teams as 9^thgraders. Three of the players are ranked nationally with the top players in the nation.

Chris’ natural basketball ability makes people think he is older but he is actually one of the youngest players on the team. Two years ago at AAU nationals in Orlando most scouting services had Chris listed as the best player in the nation. At that time the Hawks has only had 7 kids on the team and Chris was injured the 3^rd day in Orlando. Chris kept playing and did finish 5^th on some scouting services and 14^thon others while the team placed in the top 25.

Chris is a kid that will play through injuries and not say a word. He always plays his best in the biggest games.  He loves to play against the best. Chris never backs down and he does what it takes to win. Most teams play a box in one but he still delivers. In the AAU west coast championship game against Texas Select the Hawks, had 34 points at the half, Chris only took two shots but he was involved with almost every point with an assist or rebound. Then in the 2^nd half the Hawks needed his scoring and he scored 14 points in the half to win the game. The coach after the game said “We centered our whole game on stopping the kid and he just dominated us.” Chris Thomas has the whole package starting with size and he is still growing. The ability to see the whole court and make the unseen passing lane, block shots, rebound and score in bunches. Chris’ upside is off the charts with uncles who are close to 7ft.

All of the success was a little much for a 14 year old kid to handle. He was getting national rankings, news articles, and national attention from top universities. Upon entering high school the pressure of being the next Chauncey Billups and the pull of the gangs pulled Chris in the wrong direction. Coach and the family did everything in there power to keep Chris on track but it became necessary for Chris to have a change of scenery to pull his life together.

Chris Thomas is currently playing in Lanham, MD for Princeton Day Academy. When Coach Greg saw him play in Las Vegas at the prep school showcase he says his jump shot was awful. The mechanics were bad and the first thing he said was, ‘Coach how’s my game’?  Coach Greg was honest and said, ‘your shot is broke’.  Chris just laughed and said, ‘coach I need you to work me out’. He just recently took the MVP award at the Capital Hoops.com top 100 freshmen and sophomore.

Premier Ball would like to thank Coach Greg Willis for the lengthy interview on his Star Freshman and wish Chris Thomas and the Whole Colorado Hawks organization Good health and success.

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