Fordham Returns to New England

New England Recruiting Report | Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

When Tom Pecora took over the Fordham men's basketball program in the spring of 2010, part of what made him so attractive to the Rams' was his history of success in the New York region stemming from his time at the helm of Hostra's program. 

What couldn't be anticipated was the success Pecora and his staff would have in the New England region. 

The Rams returned to New England this week, landing their latest verbal commitment from the region in six-foot-two swingman Mandell Thomas, a post-graduate at Notre Dame Prep. 

Thomas is a multi-dimensional player with a naturally strong body, good athleticism, and the ability to make shots from behind the three-point line. 

An upstate New York native, Thomas ran with Upstate Elite on last summer's AAU circuit and has worked his way up the Notre Dame rotation since arriving in Fitchburg this September. 

Thomas' commitment gives Pecora a New England pledge in three consecutive classes as he joins Jeff Short and Jared Fay in the class of 2011 and Jake Fay in the class of 2013. 

Thomas also becomes the third Notre Dame Prep product to join the Rams in the last three years, joining short and sophomore guard Lamount Samuell.