Q&A: Thomas Sorber knows there is so much he hasn't even shown before NBA Draft

USA Today

7 days ago

Georgetown Hoyas big man Thomas Sorber is considered as one of the top players at his position in the 2025 NBA Draft. He is happy to explain why.
Sorber, who is just 19 years old, measured with a 7-foot-6 wingspan at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. He averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game during his one-and-done NCAA campaign.
While his collegiate career was cut short due to a season-ending injury, the big man was able to show enough during the pre-draft process to elect to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft rather than return to school for another year of college basketball.
Sorber thrived in advanced catch-all metrics like Defensive RAPM, per CBB Analytics, where he led all Division I players last season. The big man also ranked 98th percentile in Wins Above Replacement Player per 40 minutes.
He is currently projected at No. 19 overall in our latest consensus mock draft. Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. You can watch Episode 4 of Prospect Park below:
What can you share about how you have spent your pre-draft process?
Sorber: You know my situation. I've been injured since the end of the season so I've been limited to doing only a couple things. But I've just been in the weight room trying to get my upper body right. Now that I'm in a shoe, I'm allowed to do some leg work a bit. I'm just trying to get my range of motion back in my toe. So that's what it's looking like for me right now. I'm taking the rehab process trying to get my full strength.
What do you emphasize when you talk to NBA teams?
Sorber: First, on the court, I'm just telling teams that I'm an 'everything' guy. I try to get rebounds, I try to block as many shots as I can, I try to get steals, and start the break. I try to do anything to help the team win. Off the court, I'm a guy everyone wants to be around. If you ask any of my Georgetown teammates, they'll mainly say I'm one of the guys that hangs out with every type of group. I'm a good person to be around. I just try to bring joy every time I step on the court and try to have a smile on my face every time I play.
What do you think is your most elite skill and defining NBA trait?
Sorber: I think my ability to read the game because it's very rare. I make quick decisions. I play this thing called point-five basketball.
So I'm trying to make a quick decision while the ball is in my hands but stay relaxed with it. It's been with me since I was a little kid playing in the parks, playing with friends here and there. But I really learned about point-five basketball once I reached Georgetown because coach Ed Cooley really emphasized that on us. Try to anticipate what you're going to do next, try to keep the defense on their toes, and not let the defense relax.
I'd also say rebounding as well. I'm able to track the ball well whenever it comes off the rim or the backboard. Those are my main two strengths coming into this process.
What is your favorite thing to do on a basketball court?
Sorber: I'd say playing defense, honestly. You never hear a lot of people say that their favorite joy is playing defense. So I think that's one thing that's rare about me because I know that defense wins games. I basically just put my all into the defensive end, trying my best to not let my opponent score or anybody on the other team score. That can also start breaks and get my team quick, easy opponents.
What is something you didn't get to show at Georgetown in your shortened season?
Sorber: Lately, I've been really working on my form and trying to extend my range a bit more. I'd say shooting. I could have shown a bit more toward the end of the season. I think I would play well on the perimeter. I think I could showcase a lot more of my skills not just shooting but with backdoor cutting, passing, keeping the defense on their toes while they're guarding me. If I had that one-on-one, I'd try to get a bucket on my own. A bunch of my teammates at Georgetown knew I could get a bucket on my own. But you have to translate that over to the NBA.
I could have shown a little bit of ball handling, trying to start the break for teams, trying to come off the dribble handoffs, and just reading the game. You could always get better at reading the game, but I just try to excel my way to read the game and also help my team win.
That all comes into play as the years go on because as I get older, I start to learn more. I get stronger.
How would you rate your competitiveness and where does it come from?
Sorber: Definitely a ten. I don't like losing. That's one I can say for sure. It comes from when I was younger, going to the courts, playing five-on-fives with randoms. Where I'm from back in Trenton [New Jersey], it's a lot of people that like to talk smack here and there. So I wouldn't let that get to my mind. The winning team always talks smack and I would hate to be on the other side of that. So I just try to do anything to help my team win so at the end of the day, I can talk smack back.
Definitely when I was younger, probably around sixth grade, is when I started to take it down that I could really be somebody someday. Once I got to my new high school, around 10th grade, my sophomore year, that's where I felt like I was ready to take this next step and just stay consistent in the gym and go out to the park and play five-on-five here and there, just so I could keep that mentality and keep it pushing it and keep me going, just reading the game in more and more ways.
Who are some of your favorite big men to watch in the NBA?
Sorber: I'd say the way Chet Holmren blocks the ball. He blocks it upwards. I've taken a little bit of that down. I'd say the way Nikola Jokić reads the game as well. He's tall and sees over everybody and doesn't let the game rush him. He goes at his own pace. I love Bam Adebayo's athleticism. He goes after everything. He's a hustle dog. I try to take bits and pieces of other bigs and try to add it to my game.