Thomas one of many stepping up this year as Hofstra reprises role of CAA contender

With Aaron Estrada gone, Tyler Thomas (23) assumes lead role in Hofstra’s offense, and fifth-year senior is eager to pick up where Pride left off last season. (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

Hofstra’s addition of Tyler Thomas in the transfer portal last offseason was heralded for a number of reasons, primarily the scoring potential of the former all-Northeast Conference guard at Sacred Heart.

Thomas demonstrated the tools necessary to be an impact player at a higher level, which made him attractive to head coach Speedy Claxton as the Pride sought to replace Jalen Ray, whose marksmanship and production were constants for five years in Hempstead. And with a track record of developing transfer guards into Coastal Athletic Association Players of the Year — Juan’ya Green while still an assistant to Joe Mihalich, and Aaron Estrada each of the past two seasons — Claxton’s pickup of Thomas was the latest in a rich lineage of backcourt stars that has earned Hofstra the moniker of Guard U. However, there was still much for Thomas to learn in leaving his native Connecticut for the first time and serving as the de facto Robin to Estrada’s Batman.

“One of the big things for me early in the year was how fast the game was at this level,” Thomas reflected. “Picking up on the speed of things, making quick reads, and defensively, the same thing. This year, for me to take another jump, I think it’s less basketball (and) more vocal skills and being a leader. That’s what I need to improve on.”

“I think it’s definitely different just because I know more and I’m more experienced. I know how to engage guys a little different than I did then, I’m still not the best at it and I’m not going to claim to be, but I’m definitely more vocal now than back then.”

With Estrada having graduated and deciding to use his final year of eligibility at the University of Alabama, Thomas becomes the face of the Pride program and more of a mentor to the likes of Jaquan Carlos and Dstone Dubar, both of whom also return to keep Hofstra forwardly placed in the CAA alongside reigning champion Charleston and a cadre of challengers including UNC Wilmington and 2021 tournament victor Drexel. Following his year as Estrada’s wing man, Thomas now has the confidence to step in and be more of a vocal presence in huddles, timeouts and various other live-game situations.

“I took a lot from Aaron,” he said. “I noticed he was more of a people person one-on-one, like he led guys, he’d come over and talk to you one-on-one and not in a group setting. I think we’re the same in that we’re quieter people. We try to lead by example, but sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone. I saw him do that multiple times throughout the year, and he got way better at it towards conference play and into the playoffs, so I just think I have to do the same type of thing.”

Just as Thomas has acquitted himself further this offseason, Carlos has done more of the same at the point guard spot. Now a junior, the Brooklynite became one of the CAA’s best passers last season while playing off of Estrada and Thomas, but Claxton is expecting a considerable uptick in the offensive putout of the former Jefferson High School standout.

“I don’t envision him scoring 40 or 50, or 100 points, but you never know,” Claxton quipped. “I’ll welcome anything. JC has really spent a lot of time in the gym working on his craft this offseason, so I’m definitely expecting good things from him. I can see him doing that. We’re definitely going to need to see his scoring average go up from last year, and he’s definitely going to be relied on more.”

“I think he’s very underrated. JC is just now coming into his own, he made great strides last season from his freshman year and I’m looking forward to him having that same jump going into this year. A lot of our season will depend on not just him, but Dstone Dubar as well. We’re looking for him to make that extra jump, man. If he can average somewhere between 10 and 12 points, I think we’ll be pretty successful.”

Hofstra’s front line has undergone a noticeable makeover this year, as both Warren Williams and Nelson Boachie-Yiadom have graduated, leaving Dubar on the wing as the most veteran returning presence inside. The Pride did prioritize size in the portal, though, getting Jacco Fritz and Silas Sunday from Canisius and Iona, respectively, and also adding 6-foot-9 Myles Wilmoth from Butler. Bryce Washington and German Plotnikov also return off the bench as Hofstra retools by building a team around the skill sets of its parts.

“We tried to simulate our fives from last year,” Claxton said of his strategy in the transfer portal. “We had Warren Williams, who was a good post player, we tried to mimic that and we got Silas Sunday. Then Nelson, who’s more like a point five, we did that by getting Jacco Fritz, who’s more of a perimeter five. We won’t necessarily post him up much, but he could do some stuff off the bounce and make some good reads passing the ball.”

“I think we’re playing to different guys’ strengths this year,” Thomas remarked. “I think Dstone’s going to have some more plays called for him, JC’s going to have some plays called for him. Some guys are going to have to step up for us, and I think they definitely will this year.”

The questions will still remain, and inevitably so, as to whether Hofstra will truly not miss a beat without Estrada there to make the motor run. But as Claxton was quick to remind those gathered on the CAA’s preseason media call last week, the experience of replacing a program legend is not uncharted territory.

“Once upon a time years back, Hofstra did lose a special player,” he opined with a smile, referencing the Pride defending its America East Conference crown after his own graduation in 2000. “And that following year, they still looked good and they still made the NCAA Tournament. So other guys are going to have to step up.”