Salt Lake City trio getting looks

Salt Lake City forward Parker Thomas has certainly taken one of the longer routes to being a Division One prospect of anyone in the country. In 2002-03, Thomas redshirted at Dixie. The next two years, he spent on his Mormon mission. Last season, Thomas was back at Dixie. Now, the 6-foot-8, 240-pounder is ready for his third season of juco ball at SLCC.

Thomas is one of at least three Division One prospects on Norm Parrish's team. Joining him in the front court is Gary Wilkinson, who checks in at exactly the same size.

"He didn't even make his high school team," said Parrish. "He catches everything. Gary is a great kid, really skilled and has a good strong body."

Wilkinson will not sign until the spring, but the line is already long to land him. UNLV, Southern Miss, BYU, New Mexico State, Weber State and Idaho are recruiting him already. Wilkinson is also 23, having taken a Mormon mission for two years. Last season, he averaged 14.6 points and seven rebounds while making more than 60% of his shots from the floor.

Also looking to play at the next level is 6-foot-5 wing man Nikola Bodic. The Serbian native scored 9.1 points a game as a freshman.

"He is very strong and can play bigger on defense," Parrish said.

Bodic was placed at Salt Lake by Idaho, but there has been a coaching change. The Vandals are still recruiting him, but they are not alone. His recruiting is fairly open at this point.