Thomas, a 6-foot-4 forward from Columbus, Ohio, has spent the last two years at Columbus State Community College after graduating from Columbus West High School. As a sophomore last year, Thomas averaged 13.8 points and 13.3 rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the field, and he was named to the OCCAC All-Conference Second Team.  He was also honored as an NJCAA Academic All-American.

"Jadin should be able to make an immediate impact on our program next season,” said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. "He brings experience and versatility to the team. Offensively, he can post up and score inside or step out and shoot the perimeter shot. He has proven to be a strong rebounder and a capable defender. With two years of college basketball under his belt, it should be a fairly smooth transition. Jadin is also an outstanding student and a young man of character. I look forward to coaching him the next two years.”

In addition to playing basketball, Thomas ran cross country in high school. He was a member of National Honor Society and National Vocational Technical Honor Society, and he was on the Dean’s List at Columbus State with a 3.7 grade point average and the Super Honor Roll in high school. He also played in the Worthington Summer League last summer.

"There are several reasons why I chose MVNU,” said Thomas of his college choice. "First, the number of credit hours that were accepted will enable me to continue my education with a strong confidence that I will be able to obtain my degree in the next two years. MVNU’s basketball program is also just what I was looking for to further my playing career. Coach Flemming, along with my future teammates, helped me feel comfortable and confident about the upcoming season at MVNU. I’m really looking forward to continuing my education and basketball career at MVNU.”

MVNU finished the season with a 25-7 overall record and was ranked 10th in the final NAIA Division II poll. The Cougars, who have topped the 20-win mark in 10 of the past 11 seasons, won a share of the American Mideast Conference South Division title, earned a berth in the NAIA Division II national tournament, and advanced to the second round before falling 75-73 to eventual national champion MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) University.