Team Thad 16u Player Development: Antonio Thomas
Antonio Thomas spearheaded a wonderful Team Thad 16u team over the AAU summer. Team Thad 16u Head Coach Joshua Weeden discussed the development of Antonio Thomas and the steps he can take to improve even more.
“He is a good floor general,” said Coach Weeden. “Any school that gets him is getting a good, solid point guard that can knock down the open shot, but also find his teammates in transition and halfcourt.”
Whether is be in practice, during traveling, or in-game situations Thomas is a natural leader. He has high confidence and genuinely likes his teammates. Team Thad 16u was a tough team and Thomas would not have had it any other way. He is fiercely competitive and doesn’t allow himself to slip. Teammates notice that level of commitment and replicate it.
“And he knows how to set up a teammate,” said Coach Weeden. “He is a very good extension of the head coach.”
One knock on Thomas has been that he forces the drive into the teeth of defense when better options exist. As he matures these kind of hero-ball decisions need to evaporate.
“When he is making shots we are good,” said Coach Weeden. “When he is running the team and leading the team in the right way we are a really hard team to beat. But at times you get that when you have a leader on the floor. It is almost like that Kyrie/Lebron effect. You know. Who do you want to take the last shot. With him having the ball in his hands it is almost always a good play, but at times he can make that extra pass.”
The development of Thomas has been fun to watch. He continues to work on his game the most recent change is an added physicality. Thomas added muscle to his upper body and can initiate contact more frequently.
“He uses his strength against smaller guards, but he also uses his scrappiness against bigger guards,” said Coach Weeden. “He is just very shifty with the ball. he is just very solid overall.
For Part 1 in the Team Thad 16u Player Development series check out Alec Kegler and Anthony Jones.
You can always get the best Tennessee prep coverage and evaluations with @PrepHoopsTN.