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OSU center Thomas dismissed from team
The 6-foot-11 starter averaged 20.6 minutes and 8.3 points a game.

OFF TEAM
Ibrahima Thomas: The sophomore did not travel with the team to Washington, a game OSU lost 83-65.
 
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 12/9/2008  2:31 AM
Last Modified: 12/9/2008  3:26 AM

 Starting center Ibrahima Thomas has been dismissed from the Oklahoma State basketball team, announced coach Travis Ford in a press release Monday night.

Reports surfaced last week that the 6-foot-11 sophomore had left the team. He did not accompany the Cowboys to Seattle for an 83-65 loss to Washington and Ford said only that he elected not to bring Thomas on the trip.

Thomas' status remained unclear until Monday, when Ford said, "After several conversations with Ibrahima over the past week, we have decided that it is in the best interest of both he and this basketball program if we parted ways. We are looking for players who are fully committed to doing whatever it takes to make this program successful. The guys currently on this team are dedicated to doing just that."

Thomas averaged 20.6 minutes, 8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds while starting OSU's first seven games. Recruited by the previous coaching staff, Thomas reportedly did not mesh with the new regime. He averaged 17.4 minutes, 6.0 points and 4.1 rebounds while starting 27 games last season.

Lack of size was a problem even before Thomas' exit. Senior forward Anthony Brown started alongside four guards against Washington, giving the Cowboys a lineup with no player taller than 6-foot-6.

Marshall Moses, a 6-6 sophomore, and Malcoln Kirkland, a 6-8 sophomore, were OSU's only other post options before 6-11 freshman Teeng Akol was green-lighted by the NCAA last week.

OSU plays only two games before a Dec. 20 All-College Classic game against Rhode Island and Ford is expected to use practices to get Akol game-ready. Akol did not play against Washington. Before the trip, Ford said Akol was not in game shape and must still learn the system.

Akol averaged 21 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., last season.



Jimmie Tramel 581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

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OSUAlum, (12/9/2008 12:06:32 PM)
Well,it sounds like the same story with a different coach.Short bench, now with no experienced post guy with height.Honestly,Coach Ford do you know what in the heck are you doing.So far this year the season has been a bust.Is this what we get to look forward to for the rest of the season.I hope not.
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Poke4life, Tulsa (12/9/2008 1:38:08 PM)
To me it looks like the whole team is not fully committed. Did you see the way they played against Washington. If that is a team that is committed OSU might be in for a really long season.
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sodypoke, (12/10/2008 10:03:48 AM)
Eaton looked like he was pouting the entire first half. With our offense and a good defensive mentallity, we can have a good season in the Big XII without a true post player. We have done it before, just need to toughen up and play big. I don't blame Ford if our players don't with heart, they haven't done that consistently in four years.
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Dave in Houston, Houston (12/10/2008 12:28:46 PM)
You guys slamming on Ford are a joke. This year's on Sutton's inability to recruit.
 

 
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