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North Carolina State University

Belguim's Thomas de Thaey signs LOI for Pack

detheay

May 18, 2011

Thomas de Thaey, a member Belgium’s under-20 National Team, signed a letter of intent to play basketball for NC State next season, NC State athletic director Annabelle Myers announced Wednesday. The 6’8, 235-lb. power forward attended the Canarias Basketball Academy in the Canary Islands, where he averaged over 15 points and eight rebounds per game.

“We are excited to have Thomas join our program,” said Wolfpack men’s basketball coach Mark Gottfried. “He is a very physical, yet skilled player who brings some toughness to our team. He’s an excellent shooter who can make an immediate contribution.”

De Thaey is set to play in the European Under 20 Championships again this summer before joining the Pack in the fall. He averaged 18.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Belgium squad in 2010.

¨Playing in the ACC and having the opportunity to learn from a staff that has over 30 years of head coaching experience on the D1 level was a very big factor in my decision,” said De Thaey. ¨Coach Gottfried wants to build a program that will compete for the ACC Championship and I want to be a part of it.”

¨This is a tremendous opportunity for Tom,” said Canarias Basketball Academy Director and coach Rob Orellana. “He has put himself in this position by working as hard as he has this year. North Carolina State is getting a tremendous kid with an unmatched work ethic. His ability to stretch the defense past the three-point line and make plays at his size will be a valuable asset for Coach Gottfried.” 

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By gaineycarlton
Posted May 19, 8:45 p.m.

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RE: Belguim's Thomas de Thaey signs LOI for Pack

there is some good footage of this young man on packinsider! he looks like a pretty good shooter and some evidence of boxing out :) haven't seen an abundance of that for a while. i have a pretty high opinion of the euro players as far as IQ/fundamentals/overall head for the game. i haven't seen uber athletes but that isn't always the best attribute. it will be interesting to see if he's going to play for four years or 2-3 on his way to the pros? anyway, da thaey can shoot and stretch defenses.. i like it!!

By wolfpack681
Posted May 19, 12:35 p.m.

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RE: Belguim's Thomas de Thaey signs LOI for Pack

Awesome!!! The European guys r almost always more bball savvy than the american kids!! Well done coach!!!!

By jdupree
Posted May 18, 9:56 p.m.

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RE: Belguim's Thomas de Thaey signs LOI for Pack

State's last two european players were good ballplayers and good students.

By Ken D.
Posted May 18, 8:58 p.m.

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RE: Belguim's Thomas de Thaey signs LOI for Pack

Gott got a good get! 

- Posted by TruthBKnown Left The Building

Easy for you to say.

By jmwbrd
Posted May 18, 8:01 p.m.

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RE: Belguim's Thomas de Thaey signs LOI for Pack

I am not sure about the educational requirements in all European countries, but Belgium and Germany both require 13 years of formal education and generally have higher standards for graduation than do US schools. Will this young man have 4 years of eligibility? That would make him 24 by the time he graduates. A man among boys!

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