ROCK HILL, SC—Winthrop head men's basketball coach
Pat Kelsey announced the addition of DeShawn Thomas and Adonis Arms to an already talented recruiting class for the 2019-20 season.
Thomas and Arms join Chase Claxton, Josh Corbin, Russell Jones, and Jamal King to form the 2019 recruiting class.
Thomas (6-9, 235lb) comes to the Eagles from Florida Southwestern Junior College, which held a #1 NCJAA national ranking for most of the 2018-19 season. Thomas was one of many D1 players on the roster as he averaged 6.9 points, 4.3 rebounds. The Columbia, SC native was a two-time All-Region and All-State selection. Thomas led A.C. Flora to a state championship in 2016.
Kelsey on Thomas~
"DeShawn will be one of the most athletic bigs in our conference. His ability to finish around the rim and above the rim is elite. He has great toughness, runs the floor extremely well and possesses a high motor. He played at one of the best junior colleges in America at FSW. Eric Murphy and his staff coach those guys up. It's like a D1 program."
Arms (6-6, 190lb) is a transfer from Northwest Nazarene University (NCAA D2), where he was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and GNAC Newcomer of the Year. This past year he averaged 20.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 55 percent from the floor. Arms, who can play multiple positions, began his career at Mesa Community College where he earned All-Conference and All-Region recognition. Last season at Northwest Nazarene he posted 14 games of 20 or more points.
Kelsey on Arms~
"Adonis is the what the modern basketball player looks like and a perfect fit for the Winthrop system. He's very versatile. He has the size and skill to play 4 positions on the floor. His ability to score at all three levels, play make and to utilize the pick and roll is what is most exciting to me. He has a unique swagger and confidence about him as well."
