Phoenix, Arizona – Freshman forward
Koby Thomas of the
Robert Morris University men's basketball team earned the first weekly honor of his collegiate career Monday, as he was selected as the Northeast Conference (NEC) Rookie of the Week.
Thomas, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., tied for game-high honors in scoring in RMU's 2017-18 season opener at Ohio State (11/10/17) with 22 points and also led the Colonials in rebounds (6) and steals (2) against the Buckeyes.
In 30 minutes, Thomas shot 8-for-17 from the floor, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, and knocked down three of his four attempts at the free-throw line. The 22 points for Thomas marks the most points scored by a student-athlete making their collegiate debut in program history.
RELATED: Colonials Open Grand Canyon Classic With Host Antelopes (11/12/17)
Thomas was also one of two rookies to be in the starting lineup against the Buckeyes, joining freshman point guard
Jon Williams. The duo joins former guards Jeremy Chappell and Jonathan Clark as the only pair of freshman in program history to be members of the starting lineup in their debut contest. Chappell, who concluded his career with 1,875 points and 681 rebounds and is the program's all-time leader in three-point field goals (243), and Clark were in the same starting lineup as rookies in 2005 at St. Bonaventure.
Led by eighth-year head coach
Andrew Toole, RMU continues its eight-game road trip to open the 2017-18 campaign Monday by opening play in the Grand Canyon Classic. The Colonials will take on the host Antelopes at GCU Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., in a 9:00 p.m. tip.
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