The 5-foot-11, 179-pound junior outfielder had led the Caravan to a 26-9 record at the time of his selection. Thomas owned a .470 batting average with five triples, 11 home runs, 43 RBI and 59 runs scored through 35 games. An All-State honoree as a sophomore, he is a Rawlings/Perfect Game First Team Underclass All-American and was selected to USA TODAY's American Family Insurance ALL-USA Illinois First Team.
Thomas has maintained a 3.84 GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.
Thomas has raised funds to benefit inner-city sports programs and has volunteered locally on behalf of the PLAY campaign, which combats childhood obesity. "Alek Thomas is the real deal," said Nick Hall, head coach at St. Francis High. "No one in the state plays a better center field, and there's no one who's as complete a player."
