Jae Thomas

Bio

Motivated by his parents, Derrick and La’Toy Thomas, and grounded by his belief in God, Jae Thomas is known for his quiet confidence and his focus on becoming one of the top defenders in the country.

His most memorable moment came when he hit the game-winning shot to secure a national championship — a reminder of how preparation and poise can meet perfectly under pressure. He wears his number proudly as a symbol of perseverance, explaining that he was redshirted with it and kept it “to embrace this year.” His goals for the season are straightforward yet powerful: to become a nationally recognized defender, help his team win the conference, and lead VU back to Hutch.

Off the court, Jae keeps his circle small and his priorities simple. He enjoys being with his brothers — Jai, LeBron, Daequan, and Juwan — and relaxing with music, especially rap and songs like “Wishing for a Hero.” His favorite food is steak, and he laughs that his biggest pet peeve is “people that talk too much.” He’s driven by curiosity and ambition, studying kinesiology and sports management with plans to become an athletic physical therapist after graduation.

When asked who he’d trade places with for a day, he doesn’t hesitate — LeBron James — “just to see what it feels like to be famous and live the NBA life.” His motto, “Don’t ever let anybody chase you out of your dream,” defines both his outlook and his journey. He chose Vincennes University because it offered “a better opportunity to go somewhere bigger,” and he’s made the most of it — earning respect as a leader, student, and teammate.

Coach Franklin on Jae...

The younger brother of VU All-American LeBron Thomas, Jae is a tough, physical defender who embraces the dirty work and will carve out an important role through effort and leadership.