Randall basketball star reflects on career and next step of journey

Coming into his freshman year at Randall High School, KJ Thomas was an unassuming 5’5,” 125-pound basketball player, but he now leaves the program as its all-time leading scorer, heading for the next part of his journey at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).

Making the varsity team as a freshman, Thomas only averaged just over 3 points a game, but when he entered his sophomore year, Thomas had a major growth spurt that now had him standing six feet tall and an opportunity to be a starter. Thomas ran with the chance to play, showing his potential to be a special player for Randall, averaging 21.5 points and 4.5 assists per game, and was named the Amarillo Globe-News 2022 newcomer of the year.

As a junior, Thomas led his team to its first state semifinals in program history against Oak Cliff Faith Academy. Although Randall lost 67-47, Thomas scored 33 points in the game. For that season, he was named the Amarillo Globe-News Player of the Year, averaging 22.9 points and 3.7 assists per game. As a senior, he led his team back to the state semifinals and became the all-time leading scorer in Randall High School history. He holds the record for most points and 3-pointers in a single game.

Recruited by multiple Division One teams, including Louisiana Tech, Texas State, and Drake, Thomas signed his letter of intent to play for the UTEP Miners in September of last year. Thomas is known for his all-around play, his ability to get his teammates involved with his passing, and his prolific outside shooting.

At Monday’s ceremony naming the gymnasium for longtime Randall High coach Leslie Broadhurst, Thomas reflected on his playing career with Randall High School and his journey going forward with college basketball with the Miners.

“These last two years have been very special for me,” Thomas said. “My junior year, this was the first time the team has ever been to state. That was a great team that really struggled at the beginning of the year, but we really picked it up. Just making that trip down there was fantastic. Continuing that was my senior year; going to state again was awesome. We fell a little short of our goals, but I would not want to do that with any other team."

Every year, Thomas improved as a player, and he credits Broadhurst with his improvement as a person.

“I grew a lot since my freshman year. Coach Broadhurst and I always talk about my freshman year and how he believed, and I just grew as a leader,” Thomas said. "Being under Coach Broadhurst really helped out a lot. I worked extremely hard to get it done, but when you have teammates and coaches like I had, it just makes it that much better and easier.”

Thomas said that his key to choosing UTEP was that it felt like home on his visit. He cited assistant coach Jeremy Cox as a core reason for his choice, but the whole UTEP staff impressed him

“I loved the coaches and players; it felt like a second home where I could see myself for the next four years,” he said. “I just love to play for El Paso. The whole staff showed a lot of love, and it felt like I was at home.”

On his first visit to El Paso, Thomas said he was highly impressed by the campus and surrounding city. He also said he was not aware of the basketball team's history before the visit.

“I really did not know much about El Paso, but when I went there, I was extremely surprised at how nice it was. I really loved it.” Thomas said. “I did not start learning about the history until they started talking about the national championship and Don Haskins. Being at that school is a great honor; they have a lot of tradition that I would love to carry on.”

The atmosphere and the fan support were also big factors, according to Thomas.

“When I went on my second visit to UTEP, it really sold me on the school,” he said. “The team is really just like a family, and you can tell by how they play on the court. You can tell by how far they went this year to the conference championship. The continuity of that team with the family vibe, and the fans' and coaches' love and support, really impressed me.”

Thomas cited former Miner Souley Boum as his favorite UTEP player. Thomas said that upon seeing a video of Boum play by Cox, he was really impressed.

Thomas described his game and his expectations as a freshman at UTEP, where he will start in the summer to pursue a degree in business. He feels his greatest strength is his passing ability, but his defensive intensity is something that he wants to work on.

“I will say I am a leader, and I can get my teammates involved and score when I need to,” he said. “I am an all-around player and a winner. I wanted to go into a place where I had a chance to play immediately, and I feel like they offered that to me. If I work hard and do what I am supposed to, I will definitely have a chance to play quite a bit. I just want to bring a winning culture to UTEP like they already have.”

James Harden was named as Thomas’s favorite player whom he would like to mold his game after. “He scores with the ball in so many ways and can pass the ball,” Thomas said.

Thomas hopes when people look at his legacy at Randall, he wants to be remembered for more than being a great basketball player.

“It is an honor and a privilege. I want to thank God for this opportunity,” Thomas said. “I hope my legacy is that first of all I was a great and genuine person, and second that I was a man of God.”

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Randall basketball star KJ Thomas reflects on career, next step