Spartans grant Thurmond his wish to redshirt

PLEASANT HILL -- There's no question Marion Thurmond could contribute at a Division I school next season. But he figures he could contribute even more later.

That's why when Thurmond was considering Division I schools, he preferred a place that would let him redshirt next season. The Diablo Valley College star center found that place in San Jose State.

Thurmond, the Bay Valley Conference West Division Co-Most Valuable Player last season and an all-state selection, signed a letter of intent with the Spartans on Wednesday. He will redshirt the 2000-01 season and have two years of eligibility remaining, beginning with the 2001-02 season.

Thurmond's two seasons with the Vikings were filled with startling improvement. When he arrived in Pleasant Hill, he weighed 315 pounds and had little experience on the high school level. By the time his sophomore season came to an end when DVC lost to College of the Sequoias in the third round of the state playoffs, Thurmond had become one of the most dominating players in the state.

And that is the main reason Thurmond wanted to redshirt. He figures if his rate of improvement over the past two years continues on the four-year level, his upside is enormous.

"Redshirting was best for Marion for a lot of reasons," DVC coach Steve Coccimiglio said. "He has developed so much in his two years at DVC, and his best basketball is clearly ahead of him."

By the end of his JC career, Thurmond was a dominating force in the paint on both ends of the floor. At 6-foot-7, 265 pounds, he was able to get good position underneath consistently and moved well around the basket. He was also an excellent shot-blocker.

In the Vikings' 77-75 playoff loss to Sequoias, Thurmond scored 22 points despite missing over half the game with foul trouble. Sequoias coach George Tarkanian, son of Fresno State coach Jerry Tarkanian, called his father after that game and advised the Bulldogs to recruit Thurmond. They did.

But like most other schools, the Bulldogs didn't want Thurmond to redshirt. Most four-year schools recruit JC players for immediate help. And while San Jose State coach Steve Barnes would love to see Thurmond on the floor next season, he is keeping the big picture in mind.