Arkansas' 5-star commit Meleek Thomas issues 1-word reaction as Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo reconnects with John Calipari

By Rotsen Rick Tidoy

Modified Dec 04, 2024 00:57 GMT

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Bam Adebayo may be a former Kentucky Wildcat, but he was also a John Calipari recruit, and he went to Arkansas to visit his former coach on Tuesday. This had Arkansas commit Meleek Thomas, a five-star shooting guard who was also recruited by Coach Cal, reacting on the post revealing the Miami Heat star's visit.

"tuff," Thomas commented.

Meleek Thomas reacts to Bam Adebayo visiting Arkansas (Source: Instagram/razorbackmbb)

During his visit to his old coach's new stomping grounds, Adebayo reconnected with Calipari and met with several Arkansas players. He also posed for some photos.

Calipari has been considered by many as one of the greatest college basketball recruiters, with many of his recruits going on to have successful NBA careers, including Adebayo.

Calipari had also been aggressive in recruiting Thomas, who was well aware of the coach's reputation for producing NBA stars. This was why he chose Arkansas over his hometown school, Pittsburgh.

While he was still at Kentucky, Calipari was responsible for recruiting five-star and four-star talents to the Wildcats. His most famous recruits include Anthony Davis, John Wall, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bam Adebayo, Malik Monk and Jamal Murray. He also had success with four-stars shining in the NBA, with the most famous example being Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker.

Meleek Thomas averaging a double-double at Overtime Elite

Meleek Thomas is not playing high school basketball as he awaits his chance to play for John Calipari, but in a school/league for basketball players aiming to play professionally, Overtime Elite. He plays for the City Reapers, who sit in fourth place in the OTE standings at 4-3.

In the lead-up to his big Arkansas announcement, Thomas missed several games but has gone back to playing for the City Reapers. In the games he's played, he averaged a double-double with 27.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

This includes a massive 35-point game in that 97-86 loss to the Blue Checks on Nov. 20. He also had a double-double against the Cold Hearts during his season debut for the Reapers, scoring 32 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, with three assists and a steal. The City Reapers won that game 92-87.

Their next game will be on Saturday at the OTE Arena, taking on the 2-3 Diamond Doves. They will then take on the 6-0 Diamond Dreamerz on Dec. 14, also at the OTE Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.