Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Chris Thomas Named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week

Nov. 19, 2001

Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame freshman point guard Chris Thomas (Indianapolis, Ind.), who recorded a triple double in his first collegiate outing on Friday night (Nov. 16) in the Irish’s win over New Hampshire (95-53) in the season opener, was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week. The 6-1, 175-pound rookie had 24 points, 11 assists and 11 steals to register the first triple double in the program’s 96-plus year history.

Thomas’ 11 steals broke the Notre Dame and Joyce Center single game records formerly held by Ray Martin (7 vs. Northwestern on Dec. 4, 1974). He played 34 minutes in the contest and shot nine-of-18 from the field and five-of-nine from three-point range.

He is just the second different Irish player to earn the league’s rookie-of-the-week award in Notre Dame’s seven years as a conference member. Former Irish All-American Troy Murphy was an eight-time honoree during his rookie season in 1998-99.