Deon Thomas facts for kids

Deon La velle Thomas (born February 24, 1971) is a former professional basketball player from America and Israel. He was a talented player who achieved many great things in his career. Deon led his high school team to a major championship. He was also named the best high school player in Illinois.

When he played college basketball, Deon became the top scorer ever for his team. Even though he was chosen by an NBA team, he decided to play professionally in Europe and Israel.

Deon Thomas's High School Basketball Career

Deon Thomas was a basketball star at Chicago's Simeon Vocational High School. He graduated in 1989. In 1988, when he was a junior, he helped his team win the Chicago Public League title. This was a big achievement for his school.

As a senior, Deon was recognized as Illinois Mr. Basketball. This award goes to the best high school player in the state. He also played in the McDonald's All-American Game. This special game features the top high school players from across the country. Future NBA star Shaquille O'Neal also played in that game.

Deon Thomas's College Basketball Journey

Deon Thomas played college basketball for the University of Illinois. He became a legend for the Fighting Illini team. By the end of his college career, he had scored 2,129 points. This made him the all-time leading scorer in the team's history.

He is the only men's basketball player at Illinois to score over 2,000 points. In 2004, Deon was chosen for the "Illini Men's Basketball All-Century Team." This team honors the best players from the university's history.

Deon Thomas's Professional Basketball Career

The Dallas Mavericks picked Deon Thomas in the 1994 NBA draft. He was the 28th player chosen overall. Even though he was drafted, Deon chose to play professional basketball overseas. He played in Europe and Israel instead of the NBA.

Deon played two years in Israel for Maccabi Tel Aviv. During his time there, he won many championships. He helped his team win the Israeli championship and the Israeli cup three times each. He also won the Euroleague championship twice. The Euroleague is a major competition for top European basketball clubs.

In 2005, Deon had a broken leg, which meant he couldn't play in the Euroleague Final Four. This injury caused him to leave Maccabi Tel Aviv. After that, he played for teams in Greece, Bulgaria, and then returned to Israel. He played for Gymnastikos S. Larissas, CSKA Sofia, Maccabi Giv'at Shmuel, and Maccabi Haifa. Deon is known as one of the most successful American players in European basketball leagues.

Deon Thomas's Coaching and Announcing Roles

After his playing career, Deon Thomas started coaching basketball. In 2009, he became the head coach for the men's basketball team at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois.

In 2014, he became an assistant basketball coach at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Later, in 2016, he joined the Fighting Illini Sports Network. There, he helps announce men's basketball games alongside Doug Altenberger.

Deon Thomas's Personal Life

Deon Thomas is now a citizen of Israel. He is married to an Israeli woman.

Deon Thomas's Basketball Honors and Awards

Deon Thomas received many awards throughout his basketball career.

High School Honors

• 1988 – IHSA 1st Team All-State
• 1988 – IHSA State Tournament All-Tournament Team
• 1989 – IHSA 1st Team All-State
• 1989 – Parade Magazine 1st Team All-American
• 1989 – McDonald's All-American
• 1989 – Illinois Mr. Basketball
• 2015 – Inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame as a player.

College Honors

• 1991 – 3rd Team All-Big Ten
• 1992 – Illini Team Co-Captain
• 1992 – Illini MVP (Most Valuable Player)
• 1992 – 2nd Team All-Big Ten
• 1993 – Illini Team Co-Captain
• 1993 – Illini MVP
• 1993 – 2nd Team All-Big Ten
• 1994 – Illini Team Co-Captain
• 1994 – Illini MVP
• 1994 – 2nd Team All-Big Ten
• 1994 – Honorable Mention All American
• 2004 – Elected to the "Illini Men's Basketball All-Century Team".
• 2008 – Honored as one of the thirty-three honored jerseys. These jerseys hang in the State Farm Center to celebrate the most decorated basketball players in the University of Illinois' history.
• 2019 – Inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame

Deon Thomas's College Statistics

University of Illinois

* All-time leader in University of Illinois history

See also

In Spanish: Deon Thomas para niños