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"And oftentimes, when I didn't know what words to say to him, I would give him a song to listen to, and I think that would help. So it doesn't surprise me that he writes so much rap ... I think that is a comfort to him."

"I'm movin up from where I stood like its levitation
I'm no longer feelin sick quit the medication
I'm just livin I aint trippin off the speculations
I keep prayin and stayin in deep meditation/and with this I hope God see my dedication

From 'This is Me' by Quentin Thomas

Writing and rapping have always helped keep Thomas upbeat. He's often asked by teammates to rhyme in the locker room, sometimes with forwards Danny Green and Deon Thompson adding the beatbox in the background.

"I just knew I had to stay positive -- for myself, for my teammates, no matter what,'' Thomas said. "Because if I would have become a complainer, someone who didn't care or always looking at what the other guy got ... I would never be prepared if a time came when my team really needed me."

Finally, it did.

With Frasor sidelined for the season with a torn knee ligament, Thomas was UNC's last scholarship point guard available when Lawson sprained his left ankle at Florida State on Feb. 3.

He came off the bench to help the Tar Heels beat the Seminoles in overtime, then took the blame -- and even apologized to his teammates via text message -- after they lost to Duke.

Then he led Carolina to five straight victories before splitting time with the still-healing Lawson on Saturday.

During his seven-game stretch as a starter, Thomas has stayed healthy while dishing out 42 assists and 24 turnovers. He also averaged 30.1 minutes; his first three seasons, he never averaged more than 12.

It seems fitting that the player whose career has been punctuated by the most adversity has been the one to help Carolina overcome its toughest stretch. Perhaps that's his new legacy -- so far.

"If you don't feel good about what has happened with Quentin ... you have no heart, you have no feelings for people, because he's been able to be fantastic,'' Williams said last week.

With Lawson on the mend, tonight could mark Thomas' final start in a UNC uniform. Roughly 20 members of his family and church are making the cross-country haul to watch him play and to celebrate his patience.

Knowing that tonight would mark his final game in front of a Carolina crowd inspired "This is Me." If people don't know him by now, Thomas said, the rap will help.

"I just like to see the looks on people's faces, those who doubted everything I've been through -- not to throw it back in their face, but to show them what I achieved by staying here and staying positive,'' said Thomas, who has never regretted coming to North Carolina. Or staying.

"Its my time, so imma go and show the nation
I use haters and nay-sayers as motivation
now the people that was hatin show appreciation
I'm at the finish line and they aint get to see me racin'

From 'This is Me' by Quentin Thomas

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