MHEA’s Caleb Thomas to Play Basketball for Freed-Hardeman University
Caleb Thomas closed out 11 years as a Memphis Home Education Association (MHEA) Eagle basketball player and signed with Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) to continue playing the game he loves at the collegiate level. A lot of hard work academically and athletically as a home school student has earned him those accomplishments.
Along with basketball, football and baseball were two other sports Caleb split his time between while he was growing up. After completing the fifth grade, he decided to concentrate just on basketball.
“I love the competition [of basketball] and the challenge to always be better than you were the day before,” said Caleb, who plays in the position of point guard/shooting guard. “It’s great being surrounded by a group of guys that love the game as much as I do and who are willing to push me to be better.”
The MHEA won the NCHBC National Homeschool Championship in the 2024. In February 2025, Caleb and his teammates returned to Springfield, Missouri as the reigning champions eager to retain that title. At the end of the tournament, the team again returned home to Memphis as national champions for the fifth year in a row. It has been almost 30 years since a home school basketball team has earned such an accomplishment.
For many home school students, sports play a big part in their lives. It is still believed by many that if a student has dreams of playing at the NCAA or NAIA levels, home school is not the academic route to take. As a home school student, Caleb did not allow that myth to dissuade him from homeschooling.
“You have to put yourself in front of coaches as much as possible. But college coaches know how to find talent no matter the level or school that you are playing at. As long as you have skill and a hard work ethic, the coaches will find you,” said Caleb.
Caleb is a recent graduate from HomeLife Academy and was homeschooled for 12 years. He put the same amount of determined effort in his academics as he does in playing basketball. During his junior and senior years of high school, he took advantage of dual enrollment opportunities to complete some of his college credits early. Having the flexibility to choose when he took classes allowed him to have time to play basketball and also work.
“The main thing I enjoyed about home school was being able to take dual enrollment classes my junior and senior year at the University of Memphis and get all my freshman hours done. I also enjoyed the ability it gave me to work on my own schedule, so that I had time for things like basketball and work,” said Caleb, who shared a common misconception he often hears about home school. “A common critique on homeschooling is having a limited social life. Being on MHEA has definitely given me a community. I have been with several teammates since I started playing at eight years old.”
Caleb is looking forward to playing basketball as an FHU Lion. He plans to major in business analytics.
Caleb’s West Tennessee Favorites
Favorite place to eat: My favorite place to eat is at Elwood’s Shack in Memphis.
Favorite place to go: My favorite place to go is to play golf at all city courses in Memphis.
Favorite thing to do: My favorite thing to do is go to Memphis Grizzlies games.
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