NC State Adds Forward Thomas De Thaey To 2011 Class

by Akula Wolf on May 18, 2011 3:54 PM EDT

I guess the staff wasn't done with the 2011 class after all. Thomas De Thaey is a 20-year-old forward from Belgium who was recruited by the likes of Washington, Colorado State, Wake Forest, Wichita State, and Providence.

Thomas de Thaey, a member Belgium's under-20 National Team, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the Wolfpack next season. The 6'8, 235-lb. power forward attended the Canarias Basketball Academy in the Canary Islands, where he averaged over 15 points and eight rebounds per game.

"We are excited to have Thomas join our program," said Wolfpack men's basketball coach Mark Gottfried. "He is a very physical, yet skilled player who brings some toughness to our team. He's an excellent shooter who can make an immediate contribution."

Like a lot of European big men, he likes to score both inside and beyond the arc. While playing for the Belgian U-20 team last summer, De Thaey averaged over 18 points and 6 rebounds per game. He made 59% of his twos, 36% of his threes, and 78% of his free throws. Some highlights below. (He's #13.)

More here.

I found this interview with De Thaey.

These are a few of his favorite things:

Favorites:
Pet: Dog
Drink: ice-tea, cola
Food: pizza, chicken, pasta
Actress: Angelina Jolie
Actor: Denzel Washington
Movie: The Green Mile
TV program: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, My wife and kids
Male singer: Jay-Z
Female singer: Beyonce
Music: Hip-Hop, R & B, Rap
Sportsman: Michael Jordan
Sportswoman: Kim Clijsters
BB Favorite Player: Kobe Bryant
Ambition: European top games
Dream: Breaking at Antwerp Giants. This should be my first step in my career.

Taking another look at the depth chart at forward:

3: CJ Leslie / Tyler Harris
4: Richard Howell / Thomas De Thaey
5: DeShawn Painter / Jordan Vandenberg

Some guesswork there. Pretty sure Harris is more of a three than a four, and at 235 lbs, De Thaey looks to me like he fits best at the four. Hope he's a solid rebounder.

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Miserable fat Belgian bastards

by PeeDub on May 18, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e-3dfQK7w4

Backing The Pack

by Akula Wolf on May 18, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder what CJ Leslie has to say about this.

It can’t be good.

At least he isn’t Dutch.

by PeeDub on May 18, 2011 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Thomas

Let me help with the transition buddy, here its “iced tea” – head to the Bo, you’ll never want anything else :) Seriously though, great get, welcome aboard!

by Tampa-Pack on May 18, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

and,

WTH is DJazzy Jeff up to these days? He must be getting old….

by Tampa-Pack on May 18, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm liking Coach G more and more.

Could this guy be another player from the same mold as Ilian Evtimov? Sure sounds like he’s pretty solid.

by ramslayer on May 18, 2011 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

It sure

looks like he was getting his stuff in order in anticipation of landing his next HC job. I guess if you’re smart enough to use your time wisely, working as an analyst has its benefits. Hope the coaching prove to be as successful as the recruiting to date…

by Tampa-Pack on May 18, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I’m hoping he picked up a thing or two. As an analyst he had access he would not have had otherwise, such as other teams’ practices.

by ramslayer on May 18, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

He has talked about this

talking to other coaches and watching their practices.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on May 19, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

this is from some sort of festival in his home town

I think he should ride onto the court on this thing. KNEEL BEFORE MEGAHORSE, PUNY MORTALS.

Backing The Pack

by Akula Wolf on May 18, 2011 6:03 PM EDT reply actions

that thing

sure looks like it kicks ass. And its RED, don’t see no puny blue on that thing….

by Tampa-Pack on May 18, 2011 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

THE STREETS WILL RUN RED WITH THE BLOOD OF THOSE WHO OPPOSE MEGAHORSE

by PACKHOOLIGAN on May 18, 2011 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

HAHA..i scoff at the small ram like creature

It will feel good when stomping.

I’ve been to Belgium a couple times on business. Cool place. Kinda like France without the rampant surrendering.

by ginger avenger on May 18, 2011 9:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

wow..

nice clip but i don’t want my power forward standing around the 3 point line. he looks like he has a nice shooting touch. MG is showing to be a seriously aggressive recruiter. his recruiting should really get us back on the map.

by ctbullets on May 18, 2011 6:27 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds good

MG is certainly impressing so far. So, De Thaey will be a freshman?

by WolfpackSteelersFan on May 18, 2011 7:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

A 20 year old frosh isn't bad

body has had time to develop, learned more. He’ll get some good minutes off the bench.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on May 19, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Good looking move on Gott's part

He has the perfect piece in Howell in insert as the hub in his UCLA offense but no one after that. I was scared to death of the thought of leaning on Painter/JV in this role and nobody else. Woudn’t expect alot more than that- play the high post, distribute the ball around and take some open 14 footers. Hopefully he’ll be a tough, gritty player on the boards and not another Euro-puss

by Sportin'L.A.Gear on May 18, 2011 8:45 PM EDT reply actions