April 22, 1998

PROVIDENCE, R.I.-Providence College basketball star JAMEL THOMAS announced on Tuesday afternoon that he will stay at Providence College for his senior year. This announcement came less than a week after Thomas had indicated that he would enter the NBA Draft.

After taking a weekend to talk to his family in New York, Thomas returned to Providence and told new head coach Tim Welsh that he was staying at Providence to get his diploma and help the Friars return to the NCAA Tournament in 1999.

Thomas said, "I met with my family and people close to me at home last weekend and they all wanted me to come back to Providence College and get my degree." He added, "They were all very supportive of whatever I decided to do, but they thought this was the best thing for me and I agreed."

"No one in my grandmother's family has ever gotten a college degree and I want to be the first," commented Thomas. "I want to have the kind of senior year that can put me in the position to be a high pick next year."

The Friars' leading scorer as a junior, Thomas also got feedback from NBA sources who indicated that he could be picked anywhere from 15th to 40 th in the upcoming draft and that helped lead him to the realize that staying in school rather than risk being disappointed with the results of the draft.

Welsh, the Friars new head coach for less than a month was pleased with Thomas' decision. "He wants to come back and get his diploma - which he's on track to do - and take us to the NCAA Tournament next year," said Welsh. "I told him that I would support him in whatever he decided to do, but this is not about what's best for us next year. It's about what's best for Jamel's future."

The six-foot, six-inch Thomas played all five positions for the Friars last season as PC was 13-16 overall and 7-11 in BIG EAST play. Thomas averaged 18.5 points and 6.9 rebounds to lead the Friars in both categories. Following the season, the Brooklyn native was named the Friars' Team Most Valuable Player. He was a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection, a Third Team All-ECAC selection, as well as Basketball Times All-East Honorable Mention and the U.S.Basketball Writer's District I All-District Team.

By returning for his fourth season, Thomas should finish his PC career among the all-time leaders in virtually every offensive category. He goes into his senior year with 1,310 points good for 13th on PC's all-time scoring list. Thomas will be one of four seniors on next year's roster as he joins Justin Farley, Kendrick Moore and Corey Wright.