"Reminds me of James Harden!": Hoops fans react to 5-star Arkansas signee Meleek Thomas' 39-point game

Modified Dec 24, 2024 11:50 GMT

Fans reacted to the performance of Meleek Thomas, the No. 8 recruit in the Class of 2025, against the Blue Checks on Monday. Ahead of playing for the Razorbacks next season, he continues to put up exemplary performances for City Reapers.

The five-star recruit scored 39 points, dished out five assists and stole the ball twice, but that wasn't enough as the City Reapers lost 90-88 to Blue Checks.

The City Reapers uploaded highlights of the Pittsburgh, PA, native's performance, dominating the paint and creating space off the dribble to convert the basket and making shots from beyond the arc:

Hoops fans applauded Meleek Thomas' efforts:

Hoops fans react to 5-star Arkansas signee Meleek Thomas' 39-point game

"TOUGH!!! The way he creates his spacing - throughout a game - and can get quick angles on a good shot [for him] . . . reminds me of James Harden! He expects contact. And so he just tests the gauge, 1st, before he makes things more efficient for himself - when it counts the most!!! Great player!!!" one fan compared Thomas' skill with James Harden's.

"Idk why but I see Jordan Poole cfi," said another.

"Meleek.thomas keep it putting in the work bro I love the pace that you play at💯💪🏾," another wrote.

More fans joined the conversation:

"Ayo. This kid is Elite!! I can’t wait to see him dominate The NCAA even though I want all these guys to stay in The O until they’re drafted. We gotta move the age limit to 21U that way we can get older talent to stay," a fan wrote.

This fan compared his playstyle with Kevin Durant's, "He got a KD like play style too 🔥🔥."

"Bro is so tuff," another commented.

What sets Meleek Thomas apart?

The Arkansas signee talked about his strengths with the Pittsburgh Union Progress. Thomas said that his defensive prowess sets him apart from others:

"I take pride in defense," Thomas told the Pittsburgh Union Progress. "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."

In the 2024 WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball championship game, Meleek Thomas recorded a double double with a game-high 21 points with 10 rebounds, five steals and four assists.

He will be accompanied by Darius Acuff and Isaiah Sealy from the 2025 Class at the Razorbacks.