The season hasn’t started yet, but Meleek Thomas has already won over his teammates. The Cleveland Cavaliers spoke highly of their rookie during media day.
“That kid’s a dog,” said Donovan Mitchell. “He is who he thinks he is — he reminds me of myself.”
That’s a glowing endorsement from the franchise superstar. Mitchell has never shied away from supporting younger prospects. He took Jaylon Tyson under his wing last season, for instance. But going this far out on a limb to rave about a rookie is something special even for Mitchell.
That might be because Thomas is the type of rookie who makes a good first impression.
Thomas shined in Summer League, showcasing his three-level scoring ability while turning heads as a playmaker. He’s carried that forward into individual workouts and practices with the team.
“Ever since I first saw him, you see it in Summer League, then you have the camp, and I’m like, this dude is still going,” said Mitchell.
Clearly, Thomas is making himself stand out. He carries the bravado and the belief that he should have been a first-round talent, but follows it up with a work ethic to match. There is no entitlement to his game. Thomas is here to prove people wrong.
“He thinks that guy, but he is that guy,” said Nae’Qwan Tomlin. “He can really shoot the ball, he can play make, and he’s a dog too — he’s gritty, he likes to play defense.”
No one should expect Thomas to contribute heavily in his rookie season. It would be unfair to hold him to that standard. There’s no shame in taking a year to develop while being buried in the rotation of a team that just reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
With that said, teams that reach the ECF don’t usually roll into media day praising a second-round draft pick. That speaks to the type of player and person that Thomas is. He’s a smart kid who is eager to become the best version of himself.
“Every day, he wants to learn; he asks so many questions,” said Mitchell. “He’ll ask myself, he’ll ask James, TB [Thomas Bryant], the coaches. He’s the real deal, and I’m excited for him this year. ”
