Dec. 31, 2001
Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame freshman Chris Thomas (Indianapolis, Ind.) has been named the BIG EAST Conference Co-Rookie of the Week after averaging 21.0 points, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals in the Irish’s two games last week. Thomas shares the honor with Providence College’s Ryan Gomes and earns the award for the second time this season.
The 6-1 point guard helped the Irish to a 1-1 week last week as Notre Dame improved to 10-2 on the season, its best start since the 1985-96 campaign. In a 79-76 loss to Alabama, a game in which the Irish trailed by 20 in the first half, Thomas tallied 14 points, all in the second half, dished off four assists and made two steals while playing 39 minutes. Against Colgate in a 92-61 victory, he tallied a career-high 28 points, dished off seven assists and made two steals.
Thomas is Notre Dame’s second-leading scorer at 17.0 points and leads the team in minutes played (34.4), assists (6.58) and steals (2.50). He has scored in double figures in 10 of 12 games and has been a starter in all 12 contests.