Thomas Hungry for Success Heading into 2021 Season

by Savannah Vasquez

Micah Thomas knows a thing or two about waiting. While awaiting NJCAA eligibility, Thomas cheered from the bench last season for the Northwest Florida State College Raiders men's basketball team.

"It's been tough mentally, but I think it's helped me," Thomas said. "It's made me hungrier."

Thomas, a freshman from Oklahoma City, came to NWF from Sunrise Christian Academy in January of 2020.

"I was recruited by Coach (Butch) Pierre at the end of December 2019," Thomas said. "He gave me the opportunity and now that I finally have that opportunity, I'm going to give it all I've got."

Coming from an athletic family, Thomas said his love for sports started at a young age.

"My father started sports with me when I was four years old," he said. "I played baseball, football and basketball growing up, but my dad never really wanted me to have a favorite sport because he wanted me to choose. I gradually gravitated towards basketball because I broke a lot of bones playing football and baseball. I just kind of got burnt out."

Since joining the Raiders last season, Thomas said the team has been through a lot both on and off the court. Over the past year, this group of Raiders has become like a family.

"It's always love and no matter what goes on we all got each other," Thomas said. "And I can definitely say we have an enthusiastic team, if you come into the locker room it's always going to be talkative, someone is always going to have energy."

Looking forward, Thomas is determined to make the most of his court time this season.

"This year's goal, number one is the championship - that's all I think about; championship. We have to take it game by game, win by win, and you have to enjoy it." He said. "I love the journey, I love the process and I think the process will be fun."

As for his career, Thomas is still a bit undecided, only time - and skill on the court will tell.

"I definitely want to go Division I, I definitely want to get my degree no matter what and if I have the opportunity to play at the next level after that - professional level - I'd love to have the opportunity," he said.

--NWF--