Hidden amidst the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia currently sits a basketball star in the making. It just seems a lot of people haven't caught on yet. And luckily for WVU, he is still looking for a collegiate home.
Spring Mills High School in Martinsburg sits undefeated at 18-0 this season, and a big part of the reason why is Class of 2025 prospect Caleb Thomas.
Thomas, a 6-foot, 6-inch tall guard, has been making noise this winter. According to this tweet from area journalist Andrew Spellman, Thomas was averaging 18.5 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, 5.7 assists per game, and 5.6 blocks per game as of February 7th.
Caleb Thomas (C/O 2025) is one of the most under-recruited basketball players in West Virginia right now, and is one of the best (if not THE best) in his class across the state.
— Andrew Spellman (@andrewspellman_) February 7, 2024
Currently, he’s shooting 58/40/75 and averaging:
18.5PPG
10.3RPG
5.7APG
5.6BPG
2.1SPG
GET HIM! pic.twitter.com/HwV4swIce9
In an interview with MetroNews in January, Spring Mills head coach Luke Samples heaped high praise upon his star athlete.
In my opinion, we have the best player in the state, and he’s also the most unselfish, in Caleb Thomas,” Samples said. “He never shoots a bad shot.”
Analysis from Phenom Hoop Report describes Thomas as a “beast” and “potential superstar” with a “crazy high” upside. Thomas appears to excel in most facets of the game, with talent at attacking the glass, facilitating offense, and finishing at the rim. He is described as a tough defender with a nose for sniffing out and blocking shots who displays excellent strength and physicality inside the paint.
As of now, Thomas appears to be flying under the radar of just about everyone. He hasn't gained any rankings from the major recruiting sites, and he does not appear to have any offers on the table yet. It is likely as he continues to show out, though, that interest will begin to pour in.
West Virginia basketball likely will find itself with a brand-new staff this off-season looking to revamp the program and it's brand, and reclaim its seat amongst the upper echelon of college basketball.
There would be no better way to inject fresh energy into the program and win some extra fan support by bringing in a hard-nosed in-state prospect who has the potential to develop into an elite player and become a face for the program.
That said, it would be wise for whoever finds themselves at the helm of WVU basketball following this season to make the recruitment of Caleb Thomas a top priority.