By ADAM ZAGORIA
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — After winning the prestigious Haggerty Award on Thursday night, Hofstra star Tyler Thomas is set to begin the next phase of his career.
And that will involve some 15 NBA workouts in May.
“Hopefully the workouts go well and it gets the ball rolling and hopefully leads me to a Summer League team,” the 6-foot-3 senior guard from New Haven, Conn. told ZAGSBLOG at the Met Awards dinner.
Thomas, who averaged 22.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists, is a borderline second-round pick but hopes to sign as a free agent or earn a Two-Way if he isn’t drafted. “That’s the hope, that he can go in the second round,” said Hofstra assistant Mike DePaoli. “If not, that he makes a Summer League team and goes from there.” DePaoli pointed out that former Hofstra star Aaron Estrada, who helped lead Alabama to the Final Four this season, also has a shot to be drafted in the second round or signed on a Two-Way. “We could have two guys in the same draft class right now,” DePaoli said. Thomas hopes to be invited to the G League Combine beginning May 11 in Chicago. The NBA Combine starts May 13. “Yeah, I should be invited to the [G-League Combine],” he said. During the Combine and the workouts, he wants to show his skillset to NBA scouts, including his long-range shooting ability. He averaged 3.7 makes from deep per game and made 125 3-pointers, a CAA record. “I can shoot pretty well,” he said. Thomas’ mother, Charmaine White, is a native of Barbados and Thomas said that whole side of the family is still there. What would it mean for them if he made an NBA team? “They would probably be very excited, I would guess,” he said. What would it feel like if he hears his name on Draft night? “I might cry,” Thomas said. Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookA special night honoring two special players. #PrideOfLI x @Tyler_the_T x @DstoneDubar1 pic.twitter.com/yzLUyd4eW0
— Hofstra Men's Basketball (@HofstraMBB) April 19, 2024
