Spring Break
'Big brother' watches team through changes
Marcos Blanco
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Sports
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Born on Nov. 20, 1986, in Los Angeles,Thomas started playing basketball when he was in the sixth grade.
Now, he is a senior sociology major and a foward for the SJSU men's basketball team.
Thomas started playing on a team for a church league at Our Lady of the Rosary in Union City.
"It was fun, but the league was shaky," he said. "Our team was like a family. I started liking basketball more and more."
From there, Thomas went on to play basketball and football, as well as sprint for the track and field squad while at Kennedy High School in Fremont, according to SJSU Athletics.
Now in his fourth season at SJSU, Thomas is on his way to becoming the first Spartan since the 2004 season to earn four varsity letters in men's basketball, according to SJSU Athletics. Thomas said he feels like the "big brother" on the team, which he has seen go through many changes and players.
"We still all like brothers, even though it's a different group of guys," he said. "When you become a Spartan, you're taken in."
Chris Oakes, a junior center for the team, said he first met Thomas when he was 12 years old and got to know him in high school.
"When I heard (DeVonte) was going to SJSU, I thought that was a great move," he said. "He's developed a lot since I've been here."
Oakes said Thomas cares about all of his teammates.
"DeVonte is a really good teammate, not just on the court, but off the court as well," he said. "He's one of those glue guys. He would be one the first guys I would go to if I needed help."
Head coach George Nessman said he recognizes the role Thomas has taken when it comes to being a team player.
"He's a real positive person," Nessman said. "He's a very popular member of our team and has asserted much more of a leadership role."
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