Thomas to watch Wildcats practice

There's no one the Arizona men's basketball team would rather sign to complete the 2006 recruiting class than small forward Lance Thomas, and so far the feeling seems to be mutual.

The 6-foot-8, 200-pound Thomas arrived in Tucson last night along with his uncle, Monte Montgomery, who has been at his side during the entire recruiting process.

"He's very excited about possibly being able to play for (Arizona) and being able to be coached by (head coach) Lute Olson," Montgomery said. "He's said nothing but positive things and he's very optimistic about it."

Thomas will watch the current team workout today and is set to participate in a scrimmage tomorrow.

The visit to Arizona will be Thomas' first official visit, but he has already unofficially visited Duke, Rutgers and Villanova.

"I've been telling him to take his time and to make sure that he's feeling it in his heart because once he gets to his destination, it's like a home away from home, and he has to really make sure that's where he really wants to be," Montgomery said.

Thomas, who has been ranked the No. 27 prospect and the No. 9 small forward in the 2006 class by www.RivalsHoops.com, a scouting Web site, can play a number of positions but will likely play the small forward or the power forward in college.

Montgomery said Thomas fits the mold of player that Olson has recruited in the past, an athletic swingman who likes to run the floor and can finish in the open court.

"He's versatile, where he can take a big man on the outside and he's quick enough to get by him, or he can post up the smaller-weight players," Montgomery said.

Arizona is not the only big-name school competing for the right to Thomas, who hails from St. Benedict's High School in Fanwood, N.J. An official visit to Duke is in the works, Montgomery said, and more unofficial visits are likely at Georgia Tech, Florida, Wake Forest and Connecticut.

Distance from home, however, will not be a factor in Thomas' decision.

"It's a temporary move," Montgomery said. "It's about attaining his goals and the things he wants to do both on and off the court."

Montgomery said he did not want to compare Thomas, who attends the same high school that produced J.R. Smith of the New Orleans Hornets, with any player in particular. He did point out a few Blue Devils some scouts have mentioned.

"With his demeanor and his leadership skills, he's been compared to Shane Battier and Grant Hill, players of that caliber," he said.

If Thomas decides to sign with the Wildcats, he will join an already star-studded cast of Nic Wise, Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger.