DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Stephen Thomas never played extended minutes for the University of Dayton men's basketball team, but he managed to make his mark in several games, scoring eight points in an overtime win against Auburn, six in a narrow victory at Akron and five in emergency duty in the triumph over Xavier when the Flyers were short on point guards.

"We would not have won 27 games this year without Stephen Thomas," UD coach Brian Gregory said.

But the 6-foot sophomore decided to transfer Tuesday, April 7, although the business-management major plans to remain in school until classes end later this month.

"It's a decision that definitely wasn't easy for me," Thomas said. "But at the end, I had to look and see what was best for me.

"Right now, I'm going to weigh all my options and see who contacts me and not make a rush decision."

The likeable Thomas became the backup to starter London Warren when Rob Lowery suffered a season-ending knee injury Feb. 11, but the Indianapolis native probably would have been a third-stringer again next season with Lowery expected to make a full recovery.

"I can understand anyone wanting to play more," Gregory said. "In talking to him, I just think that was the sole reason, although I thought over the next two years he'd play some, finalize a successful career and be part of some special things here.

"He wants to go where he can be playing more, and I'll help him any way I can."

Thomas, who averaged 2.0 points while amassing 24 assists and 23 turnovers this season, said he'll miss the fan support and "not only the people I met off the court, but the guys on the team, too. I spent every day with them, it seemed, and to leave those guys was a tough decision."

UD will return four starters and 10 of its top 11 scorers from this year's 27-8 team that reached the second round of the NCAA tournament.