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Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan extended a scholarship offer to Onalaska junior Matt Thomas Thursday evening.
 
Thomas, a 6-foot-4 wing guard and the top perimeter shooting prospect in the state, had previously earned scholarship offers from Boston College, Creighton, Iowa State, Marquette, Minnesota, Northern Iowa, Northwestern and Virginia, among others.
 
As of last week, Onalaska coach Craig Kowal said Boston College, Iowa State and Virginia were pursuing Thomas the hardest.
 
However, with Wisconsin now involved, the Badgers immediately become one of the favorites to land Thomas, a three-year varsity performer who is averaging 21.8 points per game this season.
 
“I know Matt is very appreciative of the offer and the Badgers have shown interest off and on for the last year and a half,” Kowal said. “Matt is in a tremendous spot with offers from several tremendous programs and coaches, and this offer definitely fits into that category.
 
“I believe Matt will continue to weigh his options and continue to focus on his development and helping our team reach its potential.”
 
Thomas scored 33 points in a recent 66-64 loss to highly regarded Apple Valley, Minnesota, and he scored 27 points in victories over Oshkosh North and La Crosse Logan this season.
 
Wisconsin, which currently has three scholarships to award to players in the class of 2013, received a verbal commitment from Thomas’ rival in the Mississippi Valley Conference, Bronson Koenig of La Crosse Aquinas, last September.
 
Koenig is a 6-3 point guard and could eventually team with Thomas to form a rock-solid backcourt for the Badgers.
 
At the same time, head coaches Fred Hoiberg of Iowa State and Tony Bennett of Virginia have put in a lot of time and effort in recruiting Thomas so they remain very much in the thick of the recruiting race to land the returning co-Player of the Year in the Mississippi Valley Conference.
 
“I’m not sure Matt is in any rush to make a decision, but you know how that can change,” said Jay Jesperson, Thomas’ coach with the Wisconsin Playmakers travel-team program.
 
Ranked No. 4 in an absolutely loaded class of 2013 in the recently updated WisSports.net Player Rankings, Thomas competes with a high basketball I.Q., tremendous poise and an absolutely deadly perimeter jump shot.
 
His ability to stretch defenses with his shooting touch and find open teammates with unselfish passes are apparent every time he steps onto the court.
 
Thomas has led Onalaska to an 11-1 record and the No. 1 ranking among WIAA Division 2 schools in Wisconsin in the WisSports.net Coaches poll.
 
The Hilltoppers return to action Saturday when they compete in the East Metro Showcase at St. Paul Johnson against the host school.