TaShawn Thomas Ruled Eligible for 2014-15 Season: Latest Details and Reaction

Oklahoma's men's basketball team received a huge boost in the opening days of the 2014-15 season, as senior power forward TaShawn Thomas has been ruled eligible to play.

Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports broke the news:

Thomas' eligibility for this season had not been granted following his transfer from the University of Houston. He entered the season expecting to be granted a waiver from the NCAA, as he abided by all of Houston's transfer restrictions.

“Because I followed all the restrictions at Houston that they asked of me,” Thomas said, per Tulsa World's Guerin Emig. “I stayed out of Texas. I’m not going to a school on their schedule for two years. And the fact I’m going to graduate this year, I feel like that helps me.”

Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger expressed his satisfaction, per ESPN's Jeff Goodman:

A four-star prospect by 247Sports composite out of high school, Thomas averaged almost 15 points and nine rebounds for Houston in his three seasons there. The 6'8", 240-pounder will add a physical post dimension to Oklahoma that it currently lacks.

The news continues to bolster what is already a formidable Oklahoma team. As Fran Fraschilla of ESPN noted, the Sooners have a complete team:

ESPN's Jeff Borzello went as far as to pick Oklahoma as Final Four-bound:

The Sooners were dangerous last season as a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament but were upset by North Dakota State. This year, a number of improvements have Oklahoma knocking on the door of Big 12 contention.

Now eligible, Thomas figures to play a huge role in those efforts as the Sooners begin their season.

Oklahoma has its hands full in the Big 12, with Kansas, Iowa State and Texas all fielding impressive units that could make a deep title run. But with Thomas bolstering the post, the Sooners have to like their chances a bit more than previously.