Josh Townley-Thomas Perseveres to Earn Opportunity with Creighton Men’s Basketball

Josh Townley-Thomas grew up in Omaha watching the Creighton men’s basketball team, hoping one day he’d be able to play for the Bluejays.

In 2023, that dream became a reality when he joined the team as a walk-on, after spending one year at North Platte community college. His journey to this point has been anything but easy, but he hasn’t let that stop him.

“I just said, ‘I’m going to do it regardless of the obstacles that are in front of me,’” Townley-Thomas told Hurrdat Sports. “If that means I have to work 10 times harder than people, I’ll work 10 times harder. When I have something I want to accomplish, there isn’t a lot that can stop me from getting there. It’s just a matter of dedication and stacking days and putting in the hours.”

Townley-Thomas graduated from Omaha Creighton Prep, where he didn’t make a team — any team, not just varsity — until his senior year. He was among the cuts both freshman and sophomore year, but after some hard work and a growth spurt, Creighton Prep coach Josh Luedtke encouraged him to try out again as a senior. He did so and made the team, averaging 1.3 points and 1.8 rebounds while playing in 23 games.

The 6-foot-10 forward began his college career at North Platte Community College, where he spent one season before transferring to Creighton in 2023. In his lone year with the Knights, he played in 29 games, starting 24 while averaging 4.4 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Josh’s mother, Theresa Townley, is a professor in the Creighton School of Medicine and has been by his side throughout his basketball career. He credits his family for helping him persevere.

“My sister and my mom have been super supportive in my journey to get here,” Townley-Thomas said. “They’re the reason I keep playing so hard, because their support just means so much to me. My mom is also a Creighton fan, so I’ve always wanted to win for her and make her happy.”

While at North Platte, Townley-Thomas spent time sending his junior college film to Creighton coaches. From there, the staff spoke Luedtke and his coaches at North Platte before deciding to give him a chance.

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott was part of this decision.

“He’s been great,” McDermott said of Townley-Thomas. “I’m not sure I’ve had a player that I’ve coached during my time at Creighton, that has improved as much from the day he started, to where he’s at today. He’s in the gym all the time, he’s working at it, his voice is consistent in practice, and he plays any role that we ask him to play. You can tell, having grown up in Omaha, how much it means for him to where that uniform.”

McDermott’s had an outstanding career as the Bluejays’ head coach, guiding them to three Sweet 16 appearances and one Elite Eight up in the last five years while coaching numerous athletes that went on to play professionally.

Now, Townley-Thomas is learning from the coach.

“Coach Mac, he’s always looked out for me,” Townley-Thomas said. “Even when I came in as probably one of the worst players ever coming to Creighton, he was always there to try to help me out. I remember one of the first practices I was here, I asked him what he wants to see out of me, and he said just keep working, and that I’m going to play here one day. That was always an inspiration for me, knowing that I had that support from someone who didn’t really have to give it to me. I was just a walk-on, expected to sit at the end of the bench, but he always was there, trying to help me out.”

Townley-Thomas redshirted during his first season with the Bluejays. He played in 10 games last season, scoring his first career points at DePaul on Jan. 21 and finishing the season with four points, two rebounds and a steal in 16 minutes on the court.

With expected starting center Owen Freeman still working his way back from offseason knee surgery, Townley-Thomas got an opportunity for extended playing time in Creighton’s 71-58 exhibition win against No. 16 Iowa State on Friday. He was the 10th of 14 players McDermott sent into the game, and he played 13 minutes in the win.

Townley-Thomas didn’t score, but he did grab a rebound, block a shot, dish out an assist and force a handful of misses at the rim with terrific vertical contests. The Bluejays outscored the Cyclones by 10 points with him in the game, tied for the second-best plus/minus on the team.

“My boy, he definitely stepped up,” sophomore Blaker Harper said after the game. “I feel like we’ve seen JTT throughout the whole summer, he’s one of the hardest workers on our team. He’s going to bring it every day, whether it’s his effort, his communication. I was just proud of him. He got his shine tonight, and he played his butt off for sure.”

You won’t find many players at a high-major college who played as little in high school as Townley-Thomas did, but his unconventional journey has helped make him the person and player he is today and continues to motivate him as he looks to contribute to a top-25 team in whatever way he can.

“I was the only one pushing myself farther,” Townley-Thomas said. “I didn’t have any coaches or friends saying how good I was or how far I could go. If I wanted to get here, it was all coming from me. Just motivating myself, making myself wake up early, getting in the gym, extra hours, and it’s brought me so far.

“Now, I’m the best coach I am for myself in terms of motivation, and I just know that’s going to carry with me for the rest of my life, no matter what I do.”