Daryl Thomas facts for kids
Darryl Thomas
|
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 25, 1965 Chicago, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | March 28, 2018 (aged 52) |
| High school | St. Joseph (Westchester, Illinois) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Indiana (1983–1987) |
| NBA Draft | 1987 / Round: 4 / Pick: 120th overall |
| Selected by the Sacramento Kings | |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1987–1989 | Hemel & Watford Royals |
| 1992 | Fargo-Moorhead Fever |
| 1992–1993 | La Crosse Catbirds |
| As coach: | |
| 2015–2018 | Montini Catholic HS |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Daryl Thomas (born May 25, 1965 – died March 28, 2018) was an American basketball player and coach. He came from Chicago, Illinois. He was known for his skills as a forward and center.
Contents
Early Basketball Days
Daryl Thomas was a tall player, standing 6 feet 7 inches. He played high school basketball at St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois. This school was also attended by famous basketball player Isiah Thomas, though they were not related. In 1983, Daryl was recognized as a top high school player. He was named both a McDonald's All-American and a Parade All-American. This meant he was one of the best young players in the country.
College Basketball Star
After high school, Thomas played college basketball for Indiana University. He played for the Indiana Hoosiers from 1983 to 1987. Their coach was the legendary Bobby Knight. Daryl was a starter for the team and scored 1,095 points during his college career.
In 1987, Daryl Thomas was a co-captain of the Indiana Hoosiers team. They won the 1987 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, which is a huge championship in college basketball. In the final game, Thomas scored 20 points. He also made a very important pass to his teammate, Keith Smart. Smart then made a shot right as the game ended, giving the Hoosiers a one-point victory over Syracuse. Coach Knight later said that Daryl's decision to pass the ball was "the greatest single play I ever had a kid make."
Playing Pro Basketball
After college, the Sacramento Kings picked Daryl Thomas in the 1987 NBA draft. He was the 120th player chosen overall. However, he did not join the Kings team. Instead, he played professional basketball for 13 seasons in other countries. He played in the United Kingdom, Poland, and the Dominican Republic. He also played one season in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in the United States. During that 1992–93 CBA season, he played for two teams: the Fargo-Moorhead Fever and the La Crosse Catbirds.
Coaching and Later Life
In his later years, Daryl Thomas became a basketball coach. He coached at Montini Catholic High School near Chicago. He helped young players develop their skills, sharing his knowledge of the game. Daryl Thomas passed away on March 28, 2018, due to a heart attack.
