BALTIMORE, Md. (March 18, 2024) — Morgan State University's basketball program has reason to celebrate as one of their star players, Will Thomas, has been recognized for his outstanding performance on the court. The redshirt junior has been named to the 16th HBCU Division I college basketball All-America Second Team, announced Monday afternoon by BOXTOROW.
Thomas becomes the first Bear to earn HBCU All-America honors since Isaiah Burke in 2023.
Thomas, who was named an All-MEAC second team selection, enjoyed a productive season for the Bears in 2023-24, as he finished Top 10 among all MEAC players in scoring and field goal percentage, averaging 14.0 points and shooting an impressive 47 percent. Not only did he contribute to the team's overall success, but he also showed his versatility by grabbing 4.0 rebounds and dishing out 1.9 assists per game.
A product of Baltimore, Md., Thomas scored in double figures in 20 of 30 games played this season, including 10 games with 20 or more points. In the Bears's victory over North Carolina Central (March 4), he poured in a career high 30 points, grabbed six rebounds, shot 53 percent from the field and 86 percent from the free throw line.
At last week's MEAC Tournament in Norfolk, Va., Thomas had a remarkable performance, scoring 27 points and contributing five rebounds and four assists. Despite his impressive efforts, however, the Bears were unable to overcome the eventual Tournament champion, fourth-seeded Howard.
Thomas has scored 733 points and pulled down 217 rebounds, while shooting 45.4 percent from the floor in three seasons at Morgan State.
Thomas still has another year to showcase his talent and continue making an impact on the court. Morgan State and its fans can be proud of Thomas' achievement and look forward to seeing him excel in the future.
Fourteen schools are represented on this year's BOXTOROW All-America teams. BOXTOROW has administered the All-America team since 2009.
First Team All-Americans
Fred Cleveland, North Carolina Central (G, 5-9, Sr., Chicago, Ill.)
Ken Evans, Jackson State (G, 6-5, r-Jr., Jackson, Miss.)
Bryce Harris, Howard (G, 6-4, Jr., Brentwood, N.Y.)
PJ Henry, Texas Southern (G, 5-10, Sr., Houston, Texas)
Jeremiah Kendall, Alcorn State (F, 6-7, Sr., Bronx, N.Y.)
Martaz Robinson, Delaware State (G, 6-2, Sr., Baltimore, Md.)
Jamarii Thomas, Norfolk State (G, 6-0, Jr., Greensboro, N.C.)
Second Team All-Americans
Rayquan Brown, Mississippi Valley State (G, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.)
Kintavious Dozier, Grambling State (G, Jr., Lanett, Ala.)
Landon Glasper, North Carolina A&T (G, Soph., Fayetteville, Ark.)
Zion Harmon, Bethune-Cookman (G, Soph., Temple Hills, Md.)
Troy Hupstead, Maryland Eastern Shore (F, 6-7. Jr., Mount Vernon, N.Y.)
Will Thomas, Morgan State (F, 6-6, r-Jr., Baltimore, Md.)
Rashad Williams, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (G, 6-2, Grad., Detroit, Mich.)
AWARDS
BOXTOROW Co-Players of the Year: Ken Evans Jr., Jackson State and Jamarii Thomas, Norfolk State
BOXTOROW Coach of the Year: Robert Jones, Norfolk State
BOXTOROW National Players of the Year
2023-24 Ken Evans Jr., Jackson State and Jamarii Thomas, Norfolk State
2022-23 Joe Bryant, Jr., Norfolk State
2021-22 Joe Bryant, Jr., Norfolk State
2020-21 Anthony Tarke, Coppin State and Davion Warren, Hampton
2019-20 Jermaine Marrow, Hampton
2018-19 Jermaine Marrow, Hampton
2017-18 R.J. Cole, Howard
2016-17 Patrick Cole, North Carolina Central
2015-16 James Daniel, III, Howard
2014-15 Kendall Gray, Delaware State
2013-14 Jeremy Ingram, North Carolina Central
2012-13 Pendarvis Williams, Norfolk State
2011-12 Kyle O'Quinn, Norfolk State
2010-11 C.J. Reed, Bethune-Cookman
2009-10 Reggie Holmes, Morgan State
2008-09 Tywain McKee, Coppin State
BOXTOROW National Coaches of the Year
2023-24 Robert Jones, Norfolk State
2022-23 Kenny Blakeney, Howard
2021-22 Landon Bussie, Alcorn State and Robert Jones, Norfolk State
2020-21 Kevin Broadus, Morgan State and Byron Smith, Prairie View A&M
2019-20 Will Jones, North Carolina A&T and Brian Collins, Tennessee State
2018-19 Byron Smith, Prairie View A&M
2017-18 Jay Joyner, North Carolina A&T
2016-17 Mike Davis, Texas Southern and LeVelle Moton, North Carolina Central
2015-16 Dana Ford, Tennessee State
2014-15 Mike Davis, Texas Southern
2013-14 LeVelle Moton, North Carolina Central
2012-13 Roman Banks, Southern
2011-12 Anthony Evans, Norfolk State
2010-11 Edward Joyner, Jr., Hampton
2009-10 Todd Bozeman, Morgan State
2008-09 Todd Bozeman, Morgan State
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
