Tyrus Thomas Signs with LSU

BATON ROUGE -- The LSU men's basketball team received the signed national letter-of-intent papers Wednesday from local high school star Tyrus Thomas of McKinley High School in Baton Rouge.

The 6-foot-8 Thomas earned second-team All-State honors in Class 4A while leading McKinley to a top five state ranking and a quarterfinal playoff berth. Thomas averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and nine blocked shots per game.

Thomas has proven to be a star player at just about every position growing from 5-11 as a sophomore to his present 6-8 stature.

"The LSU basketball program is excited about signing Tyrus Thomas," said LSU head basketball coach John Brady. "He is an athlete that can play a variety of positions -- he is mobile, is an outstanding shot blocker, runs the floor well and, he can score around the goal and on the perimeter along with having the ability to pass the ball. His biggest upside is the unlimited potential that he brings to our program.

"We like the fact that Tyrus is very much a team player and has been part of a winning program at McKinley under coach Chauncey Moore. Tyrus has a lot of family support and we think he will be a great addition for the future of the LSU basketball program."

Thomas joins fall signees Glenn Davis and Garrett Temple, both of University High School in Baton Rouge.