Recruiting News: Fred Thatch talks SLU commitment
One of the top prospects in Southeast Missouri came off the board early when 2018 guard Fred Thatch, Jr. of Sikeston gave a verbal commitment to Saint Louis University. A powerful 6’3″ wing player, Thatch had received early offers from…
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Continue ReadingOne of the top prospects in Southeast Missouri came off the board early when 2018 guard Fred Thatch, Jr. of Sikeston gave a verbal commitment to Saint Louis University.
A powerful 6’3″ wing player, Thatch had received early offers from Missouri and Tulsa and was also starting to receive interest from schools such as Arkansas, Kansas State and Creighton as well. But Thatch decided to end the process after developing a very positive relationship with SLU head coach Travis Ford.
“Coach Ford played a huge part in my decision,” Thatch said. “It all started during the summer. He really showed me mad love and lots of support. He was honest and just a great person. He was the only head coach that communicated with me often.”
Thatch has been a big part of Travis Ford’s big recruiting effort to get the top players from the St. Louis metro area and surrounding areas. Thatch joins five-star power forward Carte’Are Gordon of Webster Groves as top 2018 prospects to commit to SLU. Thatch has been present at a number of Billikens’ games during the 2016-17 season.
“The first time me and my family walked into the arena, everybody was so nice,” Thatch said. “I appreciate the love everyone showed me. “I just felt extremely welcome.”
Midway through his junior season at Sikeston, Thatch is already in third place in the school’s career scoring list. As a sophomore, Thatch was voted the Class 4 Player of the Year in Missouri after leading the Bulldogs to a fourth-place finish in the state tournament.
Thatch has continued his dominant play into his junior season, where he is currently averaging 26 points and 11 rebounds a game for the 10-1 Bulldogs, who spent much of the year ranked No. 1 in the state.
*In other recruiting news
Class of 2018 point guard Courtney Ramey of Webster Groves has narrowed his list to 11 schools. The 6’3″ Ramey’s list includes Missouri, Iowa State, Northwestern, Louisville, Ohio State, Arkansas, Illinois, Marquette, Florida, Kansas State and USC.
Class of 2017 forward Eric Krus of Vianney has given a commitment to Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. The 6’6″ Krus is a talented Stretch 4 who is one of the top players in the Metro Catholic Conference. He is currently averaging 18.1 points and 7.8 rebounds a game for the Golden Griffins.
Class of 2018 forward Jericole Hellems of Chaminade has been one of the top stock-risers in the state with his stellar play this season. In the past couple weeks, the 6’7″ Hellems has scored new offers from Illinois State, IUPUI and Tulsa. Hellems had already received an offer from SIUE.
Graceland University (IA) has extended a pair of offers to a couple of 2017 wing players in 6’3″ Calvin Heidenwith of Putnam County and 6’2″ Ryan McAleenan of John F. Kennedy.