Chris Thomas has repeatedly and emphatically said that he won't head to the NBA until he's played four years at Notre Dame.

But Irish coach Mike Brey isn't ignoring the possibility that last season's national freshman of the year could depart a year or two early.

"I don't think I can sit here and put my head in the sand and be naïve about talented guys in the program," Brey said. "Chris and I have talked about it a little. Now, in the November of his sophomore year, he wants to be a heck of a college player. But four to five months into the season, things can change."

In many ways, Thomas' situation is strikingly similar to that faced by Troy Murphy, who left Notre Dame two years ago and is now playing for the Golden State Warriors. Murphy strongly toyed with the notion of leaving after a first team All-American sophomore campaign, but stayed one more year – and earned another All-American award – before heading for the NBA.

In fact, Brey said part of the reason the Irish recruited Chris Quinn was so Notre Dame would have depth at point guard.

"I know when he thinks long term, he thinks about being an ND guy for a long time," Brey said of Thomas' current mantra to stay all four years. "I'm not sure what that means, though, and that's kind of his thinking and his family's thinking."

When Murphy was considering leaving after his junior year, Brey was instrumental in helping his protégé find out what his draft potential would be like so he could make an informed decision. The communication between player and coach, Brey said, is essential toward filling holes in the program and improving a players' chances of professional success in the event of an early departure.

"With the high-level guys, they need to know there's a line of communication if they're ready to do something before four years," Brey said. "Its not going to be looked at as not being loyal, that's the world we live in.

"But I do know Chris' mindset is being a college player, and he wants to help this team before he takes on the next challenge."

Brey thinks Thomas closely watches former high school foe and current Arizona guard Jason Gardner, who toyed with the idea of declaring early for the NBA draft before deciding to come back to college. And the Irish coach knows the success of players like Shane Battier, Juan Dixon and Mateen Cleaves, talented college prospects who stayed all four years and won a national championship, is running through Thomas' head.

Right now, Brey said Thomas is focused on helping increase Notre Dame's success. And when Brey talks to his team about players on the Irish recruiting list, Thomas is extremely interested to see with whom he would be playing down the road.

"It's like talking to one of my assistants," Brey said. "It shows where his mindset is right now, and I think that's where is focus is."

Studying abroad

The Irish are "thoroughly investigating" the possibility of playing in a foreign tour over fall break next season, Brey said Wednesday.

Among the factors the Irish have to consider include where home football weekends fall and what needs to be done in terms of fall conditioning, and Brey said he doesn't know where, or even if, the Irish would travel.

But a week-long foreign tour would benefit the Irish because it would give Irish recruits Colin Falls and Omari Isreal a chance to play competitively with their new teammates.

"It is in thorough investigation mode right now," Brey said. "That's something we're taking a look at in the next few months."

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