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Lehman's Thomas finds a new home far from his old one
By Zachary Braziller May 5, 2009Like everyone else, the first thing Eddie Trenkle noticed about Armand (Big Baby) Thomas was his size. He was impressed by the 6-foot-7, 290-pound Lehman center’s frame, not taken aback.
“Usually kids that are built the way Armand is are kind of frumpy looking; they struggle to move side to side,” the Northeastern Junior College coach said. “But he’s probably one of the better big men I’ve seen that can move. He’s versatile.
Over the next two years, Trenkle will be the recipient. Thomas signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the Sterling, Colo. school recently, joining former teammate and friend ‘Dre Calloway, a Harlem native who played for Our Savior Lutheran.
Thomas hoped to attend a Division I school – Manhattan and St. Peter’s had expressed interest, Lehman assistant coach Rich Esposito said – but he didn’t meet the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements after a mediocre senior year in the classroom.
Thomas was initially disappointed, but quickly warmed to the school after visiting and Calloway explained the bonus of him joining the program. It’s located in a small town, which often fills the home gym for games and everyone knows each other, creating a family environment.
“There’s nothing much over there really, but basketball and school, which is what I need,” he said. “I was frustrated at first, but at the same time I have to work on my conditioning, getting into better shape and getting better grades. It’s still Division I, just junior college.”
Getting away form New York City, Esposito said, will benefit Thomas, who hails from the Throgs Neck projects in the Bronx. The assistant coach felt family issues and rough living environment dragged him down his senior year – his grades suffered and so did his numbers. After averaging 11 points and 17 rebounds as a junior, he put up just 10 points and six rebounds this year.
“Going to school is his safe haven,” Esposito said.
Trenkle has plenty of experience with big men – he sent Jerome Lewis, a 6-foot-9, 350-pounder, to Wright State a few years back. Thomas could stand to lose some weight, Trenkle said, but that isn’t overly important. He has soft hands, is habitually around the ball and is a rebounding machine. In fact, Trenkle said he expects Thomas to earn a starting spot at some point during his freshman year.
“Right now, if he would’ve made the grade, he was a mid-major (Division I) type of kid,” the coach said. “I love everything about him.”
Said Thomas: “All I want to is make my presence felt in the paint, rebound and play hard defense. I’m not going there expecting to be some superstar, just contribute to the team and help them win.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com
“Usually kids that are built the way Armand is are kind of frumpy looking; they struggle to move side to side,” the Northeastern Junior College coach said. “But he’s probably one of the better big men I’ve seen that can move. He’s versatile.
Over the next two years, Trenkle will be the recipient. Thomas signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the Sterling, Colo. school recently, joining former teammate and friend ‘Dre Calloway, a Harlem native who played for Our Savior Lutheran.
Thomas hoped to attend a Division I school – Manhattan and St. Peter’s had expressed interest, Lehman assistant coach Rich Esposito said – but he didn’t meet the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements after a mediocre senior year in the classroom.
Thomas was initially disappointed, but quickly warmed to the school after visiting and Calloway explained the bonus of him joining the program. It’s located in a small town, which often fills the home gym for games and everyone knows each other, creating a family environment.
“There’s nothing much over there really, but basketball and school, which is what I need,” he said. “I was frustrated at first, but at the same time I have to work on my conditioning, getting into better shape and getting better grades. It’s still Division I, just junior college.”
Getting away form New York City, Esposito said, will benefit Thomas, who hails from the Throgs Neck projects in the Bronx. The assistant coach felt family issues and rough living environment dragged him down his senior year – his grades suffered and so did his numbers. After averaging 11 points and 17 rebounds as a junior, he put up just 10 points and six rebounds this year.
“Going to school is his safe haven,” Esposito said.
Trenkle has plenty of experience with big men – he sent Jerome Lewis, a 6-foot-9, 350-pounder, to Wright State a few years back. Thomas could stand to lose some weight, Trenkle said, but that isn’t overly important. He has soft hands, is habitually around the ball and is a rebounding machine. In fact, Trenkle said he expects Thomas to earn a starting spot at some point during his freshman year.
“Right now, if he would’ve made the grade, he was a mid-major (Division I) type of kid,” the coach said. “I love everything about him.”
Said Thomas: “All I want to is make my presence felt in the paint, rebound and play hard defense. I’m not going there expecting to be some superstar, just contribute to the team and help them win.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com