Clemson basketball picks up well-regarded Texas A&M transfer

Center Elijah Thomas will transfer to Clemson from Texas A&M this semester he confirmed Wednesday afternoon. The decision was first reported by Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com. Thomas will become eligible to play for the Tigers in December of this year.

Thomas also considered Nebraska, Gonzaga, Arizona State and San Diego. He visited Clemson last month.

"I felt it was the correct situation for me to come in and be a part of something that's going to be special next year," Thomas said. "They've got two other transfers and a lot of other players returning next year. I think I will fit well there. Coach Brownell gets after his players and reminds me of my high school coach."

The 250 pound, 6-foot-9 Thomas was a highly recruited prospect from Lancaster, Texas last year before signing with the Aggies. He played in eight games averaging four points and 2.5 rebounds per game before deciding to leave. He broke a bone in his left foot before the start of this season and that hampered him during his short stay in College Station.

During the recruiting process in high school, Thomas took official visits to LSU, Oklahoma State, Illinois, SMU and Texas A&M. He committed to the Aggies in October 2014 about two weeks after his visit and signed that November.

Thomas will be the third transfer player who will gain eligibility at Clemson next season joining guards Shelton Mitchell and Marcquise Reed.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 3:38 PM with the headline "Clemson basketball picks up well-regarded Texas A&M transfer."