Ace Thakore
PGU caught up with 2013 Thomas Hamilton out of Chicago's Whitney Young High School at the Nike Extravaganza. Hamilton updated his fans on his health, his team's performance, and his recruitment.
Hamilton is one of the best post players in his class, but has been dealing with a knee injury this year.
"I've been out for awhile now," Hamilton told PGU. "I haven't played yet this season. I tore my patella tendon in practice before the first game so I haven't gotten to play this year. I'm expected to be back for the playoffs so hopefully it plays out well."
Though he has been sidelined for the season so far, Hamilton said he's been recovering well.
"I'm healing faster than people expected so it looks good. I go back to the doctor February 27th, so hopefully I'll be cleared for practice and I can get back to it," Hamilton said.
Hamilton isn't the only Whitney Young player dealing with injuries, however.
"Paul White just broke his toe, but these injuries have actually brought us closer together, we have a young team and we'll bounce back," he said.
Though Hamilton is from the midwest, he said he has a high level of interest in Arizona.
"I love Arizona, especially coming from Chicago with snow storms and things like that," Hamilton said. "Arizona is awesome, it's an awesome school and I love coach Miller and their style of play, I can kind of see myself developing into a Derrick Williams kind of guy. Coach Pasternack, coach Book, and coach Miller himself have been recruiting me."
Hamilton said the Arizona staff has done a good job making him a priority so far.
"The coaches just want me to get down there, I've actually been there before. I went in November and it was awesome, I went for a football game when they played Stanford and it was just a good experience. I love the campus, the students there were very social, so it was great."
With all the attention he has received from programs around the country, Hamilton is not letting it go to his head.
"I'm honored, I'm blessed to be in a position like this so I'm going to take advantage of it while I can," Hamilton said. "I just try to stay humble."
Born and raised in Chicago, Hamilton said he has a lot of love for his city.
"My favorite NBA team is the Bulls, I'm from Chicago. My favorite player right now is Derrick Rose, I'm a Chicago native so I'm Chicago to the heart," he said.
Hamilton also gave us a glimpse into his iPod.
"I'm old school so I got some De La Soul on my iPod, A Tribe Called Quest, gotta have some Jay-Z, gotta have some Kanye and Lupe, gotta have Common and all the Chicago guys, so I have a diverse iPod," he said.
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