"We're gonna walk around and act like we're the favorites": Arkansas signee Meleek Thomas' OTE coach sends a warning shot to opponents

Meleek Thomas’ head coach at Overtime Elite Doug Martin has told the rest of the team in the league that his side City Reapers will take no prisoners whenever they step on the court. City Reapers is currently one of the best teams in this season’s Overtime Elite, sitting in third place with a 6-4 record.

But despite being in the top half of the standings, Thomas’ head coach Martin insists his side will not take their foot off the gas, given they are 3.5 games behind YNG Dreamerz in first place.

Overtime Elite posted Martin's interview on its Instagram Page on Dec 27, 2024.

“I am expecting to win. If you don't come to play, the Dreamerz will embarrass you. But as the Dreamerz should, every time they get a chance to embarrass somebody, they should,” Thomas’ head coach, Martin, said.

“This is basketball. It's not about friendships. It's about getting W's and giving guys L's. We are just gonna continue to feel like we are the favourites, walk around here, act like we are the favourites and get on the court and try to become the favourites,” he added.

It will be a few days before Meleek Thomas and the Reapers step back on the court. They will return to face the Blue Checks on Jan. 4, 2025, before taking on Fear of God Athletics in back-to-back games on Jan. 5 and 11, 2025.

Following their back-to-back games against Fear of God Athletics, Coach Martin’s men will then take on Jelly Fam on Jan. 20. They will then go up against the Dreamerz in a potential top-of-the-table clash on Jan. 25.

Meleek Thomas scores season-high 39 points in latest outing

The Reapers likely would not be where they are right now without the performances of their star player, Meleek Thomas.

The Arkansas signee has been great for the team this season, averaging 29.1 points, 4.5 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game. He had a 39-point performance last time out against the Blue Checks on Dec 22, 2024, which is a season-high. Unfortunately, the City Reapers fell short in a 90-88 defeat.

The No. 2 shooting guard in the Class of 2025 will hope to continue in the same vein when the Reapers return to action as he prepares for his freshman college basketball season.

Thomas signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks in November, choosing John Calipari's team ahead of Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Auburn and Kansas State.