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Etan Thomas

Drafted by: Dallas, Round: 1, Pick: 12
College: Syracuse
Height: 6-9
Weight: 256 lbs.
Position: Forward
BirthDate: Apr. 1, 1978
Birthplace: Harlem, NY

Highlights

Expert Analysis

"Thomas is just 6-9, but is very strong and has big hands and great timing as a defender. He'll be able to take a pounding inside, and can dish it out fighting for position.

While Thomas is better suited to be a defender in the NBA, he is a good offensive rebounder who can power the ball up strong to the basket and finish. He gets wide and low in posting in the lane, but he played against relatively few quality big men in the Big East, or at least, big men with real size.

Thomas needs to improve his shooting from the field and the line, and needs to add a face up game. Thomas is reluctant to shoot outside of 10 feet, but needs to be able to hit a free-throw line jumper."-- ESPN's Jay Bilas

Named Honorable Mention All-America by The Associated Press as a senior. One of the nation's elite shot-blockers, with over 100 blocks each of the past three seasons. Finished seventh on NCAA all-time blocked shots list with 424 career blocks. Named First Team All-Big East Conference and Third Team NABC All-America as a senior. Was selected to Syracuse's All-Century Team. Established Syracuse career records for blocked shots (3.5 bpg) and field goal percentage (.600). Was twice named the Big East's Defensive Player of the Year. Led the Big East in blocked shots three times.

College highlights at Syracuse
As a senior, finished sixth in the nation blocked shots (3.7 bpg), eighth in field goal percentage (.602) and 22nd in rebounding (9.3 rpg). Also averaged a career-high 13.6 ppg. Led the Big East in blocks for the third straight season. In season debut vs. Florida Atlantic, collected 24 points, 12 rebounds and tied his own school record with nine blocks. Improved his free throw shooting as a senior, making a career-best .678 from the line. Totaled 16 points and four blocks in a first round NCAA Tournament win over Samford. Set single game career-highs in 10 categories including rebounds, blocks, steals and minutes. Named Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Thomas became the first Syracuse player to be named Big East Defensive Player of the Year as a junior. He also received Second Team All-Big East recognition. He ranked third in Division I in blocked shots (4.0 bpg). Scored in double figures in 14 of his last 16 games. Averaged 15.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in the Big East Tournament. Averaged 12.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 4.0 bpg for the season. Earned All-Tournament honors at the Maui Invitational. Also tossed in a career-high 26 points in 21 minutes vs. Quinnipiac.

Won the Big East Conference Most Improved Player Award as a sophomore, averaging 11.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 3.9 bpg, which ranked fourth nationally. Was also named a Big East Academic All-Star. He set a single season Syracuse record for blocks with 138. Scored in double figures 21 times. Blocked a Syracuse record nine shots vs. Connecticut.

Was the first freshmen to lead Syracuse in blocked shots (48) since Rony Seikaly in 1984-85. Started 12 of 25 games and averaged 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Had 13 points and nine rebounds vs. Notre Dame.

SEASON	G	FGM	FGA	PCT	FTM	FTA	PCT	REB	AST	PTS	AVG
1996-97	25	55	103	.534	33	71	.465	105	3	143	5.7
1997-98	35	144	236	.610	109	178	.612	230	15	397	11.3
1998-99	33	148	240	.617	109	190	.574	243	17	405	12.3
1999-00	29	148	246	.602	99	146	.678	269	16	395	13.6
TOTALS	122	495	825	.600	350	585	.598	847	51	1,340	11.0
Three-point field goals: 0-for-0, (.000)

Video Highlights
video

Etan Thomas throws a block party in the Big East tourney.
avi: 456 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1