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Patriot League Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose

Nov 25, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Lehigh Mountain Hawks center Tim Kempton (32) dribbles the ball as Virginia Cavaliers center Mike Tobey (10) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 80-54. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Lehigh Mountain Hawks center Tim Kempton (32) dribbles the ball as Virginia Cavaliers center Mike Tobey (10) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 80-54. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriot League Basketball Bucknell Bison forward Zach Thomas Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Patriot League Basketball Bucknell Bison forward Zach Thomas Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Zach Thomas

A 6’7 forward from Ijamsville, Maryland, Thomas began his college journey back in 2014 at Bucknell. He’d spend all four seasons with the Bison in the Patriot League and would develop into a major threat with this program by the end of his career, with a few prominent postseason trips as well.

Thomas had pretty solid production as an underclassman despite being a part-time starter. As a junior, he took a big step forward by averaging 15.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He’d also help guide Bucknell to the NCAA Tournament with a conference tournament title. Senior year saw him put up 20.5 points and 9.1 rebounds a game, with a smattering of double-doubles and another trip to the Big Dance. In his final game, he scored 27 points against Michigan State in the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

First Team All-Patriot in those final two seasons, Thomas was Patriot League Tournament MVP as a junior and the conference’s Player of the Year as a senior. It was a well-deserved honor, as Thomas led the Patriot League in points and rebounds and several other metrics in that final collegiate campaign. He was certainly impactful and a pillar for the Bison while also spearheading a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament; it’s hard to complain about a career like that.