Tomas Thrastarson Poised for Bounce Back Season in Fresh Start with Seattle U

SEATTLE, WA. - Frustrating. That is the word Tomas Thrastarson used to describe many of the setbacks he experienced during his sophomore season with the Washington State Cougars.

First, Thrastarson injured his left foot, coming back for the Cougs before being 100% healthy late in the season, only to lose his starting spot. Then, he reinjured his foot in the offseason. 

Thrastarson's journey has been about proving himself. Throughout all of it, the stoic Iceland native has kept his wits about him and now with a fresh start with Seattle U, he's poised for a bounce back season with the Redhawks.

When he arrived at Pullman for his freshman season, there were conversations among coaches about Thrastarson potentially redshirting. He didnot put much thought into it though, instead focusing on making an opportunity for himself. 

"I just didn't care [about potentially redshirting], I just had to prove myself," Thrastarson said. 

Thrastarson saw limited minutes early in the season, and it was not until future lottery pick Cedric Coward went down with a season-ending injury that Thrastarson got a real opportunity. At the start of WCC Conference play, Thrastarson started 10 games and averaged 7.5 points on 58% shooting from the field and 50% from three.  

Near the end of WCC play, Thrastarson came off the bench but still remained a staple in Washington State's rotation. He credited the Cougars' coaching staff for helping him make the most of the opportunity. 

"It was hard, but the coaching staff really helped me prepare, they did a great job helping me go through things and helping me get my confidence up," Thrastarson said. 

Thrastarson finished the season being named to the WCC All-Freshman Team. Over the offseason, Wazzu suffered a lot of turnover, but Thrastarson, one of their biggest bright spots, stayed. He looked poised to build off that freshman season and become one of the Cougars' key cogs starting in 2025. 

Thrastarson started the 14 of the first 15 games his sophomore season. He averaged 9.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 46% from the field and 32% from three, living up to the expectations that had been set for him going into the campaign.

But in an away game against Seattle U on December 30, Thrastarson suffered the aforementioned injury, a stress fracture in his left foot that sidelined him for 13 games — the first mishap in a string of bad luck.

"It was disappointing for sure, but can't really change it now, you just got to stay levelheaded and keep going. Injuries will come and you just got to fight through them," Thrastarson said. "It was a lot of disappointment and frustration but at the same time you can't really do anything about it." 

The combination of Wazzu figuring out their rotation without Thrastarson and him not being 100% left the player out of the starting lineup with a decrease in minutes, setting up his eventual departure. 

Thrastarson entered the transfer portal once the season ended, wanting to try something new after a sophomore season that didn't go as planned for him or his soon to be former team. But during the offseason, he reinjured his foot, which complicated his search for a new school in the spring.

Thrastarson entered the portal March 27, but did not commit to Seattle U until June 28. Throughout the experience, he said it was the people that led to him coming to the Emerald City, appreciating the coaching staff taking a chance on him despite being injured during the recruitment process. 

Thrastarson only played 11 minutes in the Cougars and Redhawks matchup last season before getting hurt, but he still remembers what it's like going against a Chris Victor-led team. Now, he will have the chance to suit up for the renowned coach on a team that has had plenty of turnover after a 21-win season.

"They're really tough on the defensive side. They won't let you get anything easy, that's the main part, defensively they're great," Thrastarson said. 

Thrastarson should fit well in Victor's scheme, especially defensively. He is listed as 6-7, which gives him a high defensive ceiling. He moves like a guard but has the length of a wing. At Washington State, he would mostly guard opposing guards and thrives as a point of attack defender for anyone on the wing. 

On the offensive end, Thrastarson thrives around the rim. His length allows him to be a crafty finisher and draw fouls. The part where Thrastarson needs to grow is as a handler. His looks around the rim tend to be favorable, but at times defenders can pressure him, challenging him when he tries to work off the dribble.

Nonetheless, Thrastarson has ample opportunity to lock up a starting spot for Seattle U alongside expected starters Will Heimbrodt and Junseok Yeo. The defensive spark he brings will also likely give him an edge up on the rest of the field also adjusting to a new home.

Back healthy after multiple setbacks, Thrastarson's arrival could prove to be one of the biggest additions - if not the most significant - for the Redhawks entering their second season in the West Coast Conference. With Gonzaga and Washington State now in the Pac-12, that opens the door to potentially compete for a spot amongst the best in the league this winter.