BEAUMONT, Texas – Three-star forward Christian Thomas (Houston, Texas/C.E King HS) has signed with Lamar University announced Cardinals' head coach Alvin Brooks Wednesday afternoon. Thomas becomes Lamar's first signing of the 2024-25 recruiting class.
 
"Christian relocated to Houston from Baltimore two years ago," said Brooks. "His uncle worked high school basketball in Houston. Christian came to our rising prospect camp three summers ago and we identified him at that time and began recruiting him."
 
"He is a guy who stands 6-6 and plays very physical. Christian can shoot the three, facilitate for other players on the floor and is a very good rebounder. Another aspect about him that I really like is that he is a high-character kid. Another aspect that we really like about him is that he is a high character individual," added Brooks.
 
A 6-5, 190 power forward from Houston's C.E. King High School, Thomas is a highly touted prep prospect who chose Lamar over offers from George Mason, Rhode Island, Bryant and UIW.
 
Thomas chose Big Red after a junior season that saw him earn first-team All-District 21-6A and All-Region III honors. Ranked as the 48^th player in the state of Texas, Thomas spent the first two years of his high school career at the Maryland Seed School. During the first two years of his high school career, Thomas averaged a double-double per game – 23 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists per game. 
 
"Christian is a tough, rebounding 3-4 that we were looking for who can play in our fast-paced style," said Brooks. "We wanted a young guy who could come in and play behind the guys we have and learn from them and be able to pass the torch.
 
"He is playing for a really good high school program at C.E. King and we project him to have a really good year. He is the type of player who will get close to averaging a double-double this year," added Brooks.
 
A candidate for VYPE Houston Public School Player of the Year, Thomas enters the year as a top 325 player nationally.