Consensus top-10 2025 recruit Meleek Thomas, down to seven schools, has scheduled two visits to SEC programs for the end of September. According to On3 Joe Tipton, Thomas will visit Arkansas (Sept. 13) and Alabama (Sept. 27).
Alabama and Arkansas are among the three SEC schools in Thomas’ final seven, Auburn being the other. Kansas, Kansas State, Pitt, and UConn are also finalists. Thomas, known for his scoring, is considered one of the best bucket-getters in the class by On3’s Jaime Shaw.
Top 10 Prospect Sets Pair Of Visits To SEC Programs in September and Where His Recruitment Stands
When Thomas gets hot, he is an electric scorer who can light up the scoreboard. The Pittsburgh (PA) native averaged 22.7 points on 57% shooting, 10.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 3.2 steals for Lincoln Park this past season. Overall, the 6-3 guard scored 1,750 points in his three seasons at the charter school. He also was impressive during the NBPA Top-100 camp, producing a 30-point triple-double during a game.
While scoring the ball may be what he does best, his defense sets him apart from the rest, he told the Pittsburgh Union Progress.
“I take pride in defense. The more you get into the season, the harder the games become. The atmosphere becomes bigger. Everything just gets more serious, more intense. So, if I lollygagged around on defense, I would be viewed as a completely different player.”
Thomas is a five-plus star recruit with a 98.88 rating and No. 6 overall prospect. He is ranked as high as No. 5 (Rivals) and as low as No. 10 (247Sports) by the four major recruiting services. Here is his scouting report from On3 Jaime Shaw:
Meleek Thomas is a bucket-getter who is wired to score. He is electric when it comes to shooting the ball with range that extends well beyond the three-point arc and the confidence that extends to any level. He has good length with some quick-twitch pop to his game. Thomas is able to carve out space off the bounce. His dribble can get him open, and he has the ability to contort his body to get his shoulders squared upon release. He will need to continue adding weight to his frame. Scoring comes so easily to him, he can get shot happy. Thomas is a good on-ball defender and has natural instincts in the passing lanes.
Ranking The Final 7 Schools
Thomas holds 26 offers and a NIL value of $430k. He has already taken official visits to UConn, Pitt, Arkansas, and Alabama. It is unknown if he plans to take official visits to Kansas or Kansas State. He also took an unofficial visit to Pitt.
Here are Thomas’ thoughts on his seven finalists that he told On3.
1. UConn Huskies
UConn offered Thomas in April 2023, and Dan Hurley and his staff have seen him in person several times this year. Thomas took an official visit to Storrs on June 19. He said he talks to Hurley often.
It was an amazing visit. They’re back-to-back champions, so it is hard not to like. They have a winning culture, a hard and gritty culture. They get after it on defense and let that turn into offense. The things they preach and what Coach (Dan) Hurley sees for me in his program is great to me. I’m glad I took that visit.
They play in two different facilities. They split it up playing in both of them throughout the season. It’s top-of-the-line there. The campus is low and ducked off, there is not too much to do, but it’s a basketball campus. When I went there, I felt basketball. That is how I want to feel when I go to a program.
2. Pitt Panthers
Pitt and St. John’s were the first schools to offer Thomas, making the overtures on June 13, 2022. He made at least two visits to Oakland, a section of Pittsburgh where the campus is located.
“They’re on my heavy, still. They’re pushing the hometown kid and letting me know that I can do everything I want from home. They’re contacting me every day, letting me know they are still here. They want me to keep them in the loop.
“Seeing Bub (Carrington) go one-and-done plays a big role. Seeing him do this in the most recent year lets me know that they can do it. When Pitt gets a player, they develop them and let get them where they want to go. So seeing that is big.”
3. Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas offered Thomas on June 3, but John Calipari has been recruiting since October 2022. In February, Thomas took an official visit to Kentucky while Calipari was still with the Wildcats. He is slated to head to Fayetteville (Ark.) on Sept. 13.
Coach Cal (John Calipari) and Coach Chin (Coleman) just want to let me know that they’re there every step of the way. I hear from them very often, and I feel the love and it is genuine from them. I want to see how their recruitment looks and who all is going to be there when I’m there. That is what I’m waiting to see unfold. Their communication with me is excellent.
4. Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State was the third school to officially offer Thomas, doing so in July 2022.
“They have an all-black staff and have been very supportive. They have been there with me every step of the way. When all of the coaches on a staff are communicating with you that much and you truly feel that genuine love from all of them, how could you not set a visit with them and keep them in the loop? They’re bringing everything I’m looking for in a school, regardless of their location.”
5. Auburn Tigers
Auburn offered Thomas in June 2023. He officially visited Auburn’s campus this past January.
“I hear from them often. They always let me know they think that I’m the top guy in my class and that Auburn can always be home. They’re letting me know that their guards are probably leaving, so there is room to come in and replace them.”
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama offered Thomas in May 2023. The Crimson Tide didn’t make Thomas’ top 12 in September 2023. He will be in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 27.
“They run a guard-heavy program. They’ve had a lot of guards come out of there. I like how they play, I’ve studied their play style and I’ve heard and asked around about their facilities and I’ve seen how they let their guards rock. So with all of that, they are a school that I want to take a visit and see more about.”
7. Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas offered Thomas in June 2023.
“They have a pro program. They get their guards there, they get unknown players to the league. Imagine what they can do with a top-ranked dude who is going to be in the gym, and basketball is his life. They have a lot of TV games and the staff really cares and supports me, I just talked with Bill Self not to long ago and I hear from Norm Roberts probably every day. So they’re in the mix and if you have a school who consistently puts themselves in the mix, how can you lose sight of them?”
