Thomas Wanted, No Doubt

Many consider the high school players who signed with USC recently among the best recruiting crops in the country.

One of the players missing from the list of signees is 6-foot-5 forward Jason Thomas from Compton Dominguez. Thomas, who has earned All-American honors while playing quarterback for the Dons’ football team, is expected to sign a letter of intent in February to attend USC on a football scholarship.

But the USC football coaching staff has given Thomas its blessing to also play basketball, Jason’s father, Charles Thomas, said Tuesday.

“Jason intends to play basketball at USC,” Charles Thomas said of his son.

But if football Coach John Robinson or offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is replaced, Thomas might reconsider. Said Charles Thomas: “I don’t think Jason will go to USC if there is a coaching change.”