Recruiting report: Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy (2016)
SPRINGFIELD — Known for his high-flying slam dunks, Kickapoo 2016 Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy is also becoming known for his all-around play for the state’s No. 4 ranked Chiefs. A 6-foot-2 guard, Thomas-Fontleroy is perhaps best known for his play above the…
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Continue ReadingSPRINGFIELD — Known for his high-flying slam dunks, Kickapoo 2016 Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy is also becoming known for his all-around play for the state’s No. 4 ranked Chiefs.
A 6-foot-2 guard, Thomas-Fontleroy is perhaps best known for his play above the rim and his ability to score in transition, but he is also a fearless defender and a much improved perimeter shooter. Thomas-Fontleroy is shooting 41 percent from 3-point range and nearly 60 percent from the field overall this season. He is averaging 11 points and 3.4 rebounds per game for a talented and balanced Chiefs’ team.
“I’m an athletic guard who is able to get to the rim, but have started to develop more of an outside shot,” he said. “I’m a defender who loves to guard the best player and I can score at any time I feel like. I’m an energy guy and a leader defensively and offensively getting my team going, but can also score whenever I am called upon.”
Thomas-Fontleroy credits much of his growth as a player to his experiences playing for former Missouri State standout Rob Yanders and Yanders Law.
“Coach Rob of Yanders Law is one of the best coaches around the Midwest,” Thomas-Fontleroy said. “He is a great guy who has really pushed me on and off the court and playing at a high level in the summer with Yanders Law has definitely helped me grow all around.”
Thomas-Fontleroy is a year younger than many of his classmates and although University Milwaukee-Wisconsin, Jackson State Universty, Eastern Kentucky and Tulsa have all shown interest, he might be headed in a different direction as he is committed to attending prep school at either Notre Dame Prep or Brewster Academy.
“With me being so young I feel like the extra year of high level basketball would help me for my college game and that’s why I decided to go to Prep School before I committed to a college,” he said. “They (college programs) all understand why Prep School is an option for me and will continue to follow me through this process. A lot could happen I might get an offer I can’t refuse after the april evaluation period.”