Busting Brackets
Fansided

Butler Basketball Recruiting: Class of 2021 Big Board

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 15: General view of the interior of Hinkle Fieldhouse seen during the Butler Bulldogs and Seton Hall Pirates game on January 15, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 15: General view of the interior of Hinkle Fieldhouse seen during the Butler Bulldogs and Seton Hall Pirates game on January 15, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 07: A detailed view. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 07: A detailed view. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Pierce Thomas – Brownsburg, IN

SF | 6-foot-5 | 170 lbs | Committed to Butler.

Butler once again stayed in-state for its second commit by landing Pierce Thomas out of Brownsburg High School. A stud long-jumper blossoming as an all-around basketball talent, Thomas is an extremely exciting addition to the Dawgs’ future. He is the type of player that will always be among the most athletic players on the floor, regardless of the level of competition. Thomas brings a 6-foot-5 frame to the court, jumps out of the gym, and can run like the wind.

His physical tools are obviously off the charts and he also boasts a baseline skill level that projects well with continued work. Thomas was asked to play point guard for Brownsburg during this past season and he showed his ability to be a “go-to player” in that role. His court vision and passing abilities are pretty advanced and he also showed growth as a shooter for the campaign.

Perhaps most notably, though, Thomas projects as a tremendous defender. With his size, length, and athleticism, he could theoretically cover positions 1-through-4 at the collegiate level as long as he adds a bit more strength to his frame. That is incredibly valuable in the modern age.

Thomas finished his junior season with averages of 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game as he impacted contests in a variety of ways. He shot an impressive 35.7 percent from three (98 total attempts) as he showcased his 3-and-D abilities in addition to passing vision.

While he is still pretty inconsistent at this point in his development, the appeal is obvious. Thomas is dedicated to being a basketball player and he learns quickly. That is a trait that should not be underrated considering his high ceiling.

He is currently unranked by most recruiting services (most only include Top 150 for now) but is slotted at No. 174 by PrepHoops. He is the type of player that could blow up and emerge as a star, though. Butler fans should be ecstatic about his potential.