Knox boys basketball coach Gordon Thomas' inaugural event gives LIers helpful tips for recruiting process

Parents, players and coaches from across Long Island gathered Thursday night at the New York Life building in Melville seeking answers about college basketball recruiting.

They learned about NCAA eligibility, core classes, reclassification, prep schools, social media and what it takes to play at the next level in an increasingly complicated landscape.

Gordon Thomas organized the inaugural event, bringing together a panel featuring former Iona men’s basketball coach Tim Cluess, Commack graduate and former WNBA player Samantha Prahalis-Holmes, Bellport graduate and professional basketball player Arella Guirantes and educational consultant Shanay Howard.

Rob Pavinelli, a 1981 St. Dominic’s graduate and one of only two people in New York State history to play for and coach a state championship basketball team, served as the event’s emcee.

Thomas, the Knox School boys basketball coach, Bay Shore native and former St. John’s player, said he created the event because families are navigating new changes and long-standing rules they may not fully understand.

“With all the new rules that are going on in college, with the reclassifying, with homeschooling, with the core classes, I said, ‘You know what? We need to get a group together and talk about what’s happening,’ ” Thomas said. “I just want to educate the parents so the student and the player don’t get penalized at the end.”

The event was free, with donations accepted for the Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center in Westbury.

Thomas’ father, Detective John Edward Thomas Sr., died from Alzheimer’s in 2010. Thomas has since run the Alzheimer’s All-Star Basketball Classic each October, with the event entering its 16th year.

“It means so much to me,” he said. “I know where that money’s going. It’s staying right here on Long Island, helping families that are here on Long Island.”

Howard told those in attendance that about 1% of basketball players reach the college level and stressed the importance of academics and eligibility before recruiting becomes the focus. She said the failure to complete NCAA core classes is a reason many athletes become ineligible, as opposed to GPA.

Prahalis-Holmes, who is entering her first season as girls basketball coach at The Stony Brook School and also runs a local basketball academy, wants to “pay it forward” and help younger players navigate the same path she once took.

During the discussion, she urged players to look beyond the prestige of a school when making a decision. “Don’t chase the name,” she said, “chase the fit.”

She recalled choosing Ohio State after evaluating the team’s style of play, the players the program was recruiting and the relationships she developed with the coaching staff.

Cluess said one of the biggest issues facing families is misinformation.

“I think there’s too many kids for many, many years who have been misinformed, and families have been misinformed and make bad decisions because of that,” he said.

He stressed understanding how rules apply to each athlete and being careful about whom families take advice from. In particular with reclassification and prep schools, he stressed the importance of academics.

Guirantes, who played in the WNBA and now plays professionally overseas, discussed the role social media plays in recruiting. Online highlights can create exposure, but athletes also have to understand that what they post can shape how they are viewed.

Michelle Tyska, a parent from Northport, said the event gave her new insight.

“I thought it was very informative,” she said. “It was eye-opening, and I learned a lot of new things.”

Southampton coach Herm Lamison said the panel provided valuable information.

“It’s just some information that I can take back to my kids and my parents.” he said. “There’s stuff that they were kind of thinking was one way, but it’s truly not that way.”

The questions continued until Thomas had to wrap up the discussion as the event came to a close.

“I thought it was awesome,” Thomas said. “That means that they were interested. All it takes is one person to ask one question to break the ice, and then all of a sudden, here they come.”

Thomas said he plans to bring the event back next year and is considering additional sessions even sooner, potentially with Nassau and Suffolk coaches associations.

Thomas’ goal was for families to leave with more than answers to individual questions.

“I hope that they left with a plan,” he said, “and I hope they leave with, ‘I know I have to do more than just be a good athlete.’ ”