BGSU Signs Florida State Transfer Guard Justin Thomas
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University men's basketball program and head coach Todd Simon announced the signing of Justin Thomas on Wednesday (May 7). Thomas, a 6-foot-7 guard, will join the Falcons after spending the 2024-25 season with Florida State. A native of Baton Rouge, La., Thomas played in 32 games for the Seminoles last season, including five starts while averaging 22.1 minutes per game.
"Justin is a dynamic player that can do a bit of everything on the court," said Simon. "His basketball IQ and skill set will be an asset that we will move all over the floor. He makes everyone around him better. We feel he can be one of the best two-way players in the MAC as well. His work ethic and leadership will be a great fit for our culture."
During the 2024-25 season, Thomas played a key role for Florida State, averaging 22.1 minutes over 32 games of action. Thomas shot 42.2-percent from the field and swiped 33 steals, averaging just over one per game. Over the course of the season, he tallied 153 points, averaging 4.8 per contest, while logging three double-digit scoring outputs. He posted a season-high 11 points on Nov. 15 against Florida, including going 3-for-3 from behind the arc. As for steals, Thomas recorded a season-high four against Hofstra on Nov. 19.
Thomas spent the 2023-24 campaign with UTSA, but didn't see action. Prior to his time in San Antonio, Thomas played the 2022-23 season with Milwaukee, joined by current BGSU assistant coach Jason Newkirk who was on staff for the Panthers that season. With Milwaukee, he played in 33 games with 14 starts. He averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 43.2-percent from the field and 42.9-percent from three. Thomas posted nine double-digit scoring efforts over the course of the season and led the team in total assists with 98. His season-high scoring came on Nov. 28 against Southeast Missouri State, scoring 19 including going 9-for-11 at the line.
Thomas' collegiate career began at Queens University in North Carolina, averaging 8.7 points, before transitioning to Navarro College in 2021-22. With Navarro, he played in 28 games, earning a starting role and averaging 12.6 points per game. In high school, Thomas led Village Christian Academy to back-to-back NCISAA 3-A state championship appearances.
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