Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Chris Thomas Earns Fourth BIG EAST Player of the Week Honor

Feb. 4, 2002

Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame freshman Chris Thomas (Indianapolis, Ind.) has been named the BIG EAST Conference Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season after leading the Irish to a pair of wins last week while averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and steals and playing all 40 minutes in both contests. Thomas, who has earned the honor more times than any other first-year player in the league, is the co-recipient this week along with Ricky Shields of Rutgers.

Thomas scored 19 points, dished off eight assists, grabbed four rebounds and made three steals in Notre Dame’s 89-76 win over 21st-ranked Pittsburgh. He tallied 10 points, dished off six assists and made three steals while committing just one turnover against Seton Hall in the 63-61 victory on Sunday. Thomas made the game-winning layup against the Pirates with 5.8 seconds remaining in the contest.

The 6-1 point guard is Notre Dame’s second-leading scorer averaging 15.1 points, while leading the Irish in assists (6.8) and steals (2.4). Thomas also leads the team in minutes played (36.5) and has played 40 minutes in eight games this season, inlcuding six BIG EAST contests. He has dished off eight or more assists in nine games this season.

Notre Dame has won three straight games and currently has an overall record of 15-6 and 5-3 in BIG EAST play.