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.
