Deshaun Thomas facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids
Deshaun Thomas
Personal information
Thomas in June 2022
Power forward / Small forward
Born	(1991-08-29) August 29, 1991 (age 33) Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
High school	Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	229 lb (104 kg)
Career information
College	Ohio State (2010–2013)
NBA Draft	2013 / Round: 2 / Pick: 58th overall
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Pro career	2013–2024
Career history
2013–2014	JSF Nanterre
2014–2015	FC Barcelona
2015–2016	Austin Spurs
2016–2017	Anadolu Efes
2017–2018	Maccabi Tel Aviv
2018–2020	Panathinaikos
2020–2021	Alvark Tokyo
2021–2022	Bayern Munich
2022–2023	Olimpia Milano
2023–2024	Joventut Badalona
2024	ASVEL

Career highlights and awards
All-Bundesliga First Team (2022) 2x Greek League champion (2019, 2020) Greek Basketball Cup winner (2019) Israeli Premier League champion (2018) Israeli League Cup winner (2017) French Cup winner (2014) Second-team All-American – SN (2013) Third-team All-American – AP, NABC (2013) First-team All-Big Ten (2013) Second-team All-Big Ten (Coaches) (2012) Third-team All-Big Ten (Media) (2012) McDonald's All-American (2010) First-team Parade All-American (2010) Fourth-team Parade All-American (2009) Indiana Mr. Basketball (2010)

Deshaun Leroy Thomas (born August 29, 1991) is an American former professional basketball player. He last played for LDLC ASVEL in France. Deshaun is 6 feet 7 inches tall. He played as a small forward and power forward. Thomas played college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was picked 58th overall in the 2013 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs.

Early Life and Basketball Start

Even when he was young, Deshaun Thomas showed great basketball talent. In 5th grade, he was already taller than many of his teachers. When he was in middle school, he led his team to win two championships in Fort Wayne.

High School Basketball Star

Thomas went to Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne. He was known as one of the best young basketball players in the country. As a sophomore and junior, he led his team, the Bishop Luers Knights, to win two state championships in Indiana. In one championship game in 2009, he scored 34 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. These were some of the best numbers ever in that state championship.

Before Thomas joined, the Knights had never won the Summit Athletic Conference Holiday Basketball Tournament. But from 2007 to 2009, Thomas led them to win the tournament three times in a row!

He scored a lot of points throughout his high school career. Thomas finished as the 3rd highest scorer in Indiana high school boys' basketball history.

When he was a freshman, Thomas decided he would play for Ohio State University. In his freshman year, he averaged almost 29 points per game.

As a senior, Thomas played in a special high school showcase in Ohio. His team played against the top-ranked high school team in the nation. Even though his team lost, Thomas scored 36 points, more than anyone else in the game.

Thomas with Bishop Luers HS in January 2010

In 2010, Thomas was chosen to play in the 2010 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. This is a very special game for the best high school players in the country. He also played in the 2010 Jordan Brand Classic.

He was one of six finalists for the Naismith Award, which is given to the best high school player of the year.

Thomas finished his high school career with over 3,000 points. This made him one of only three boys in Indiana basketball history to reach that many points.

In 2010, Thomas was named Indiana Mr. Basketball. This is a huge honor for the best high school player in Indiana. His jersey number 1 was even retired by his high school, Bishop Luers. This was the first time the school had ever retired an athlete's jersey.

College Basketball Journey

Thomas was a highly-rated player when he finished high school. He had committed to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes when he was still a freshman in high school. He officially signed with them in 2009.

Freshman Year (2010–2011)

In his very first college game, Thomas scored 24 points and got 8 rebounds.
He was named Big 10 Freshman of the Week in November 2010.
Thomas helped the Buckeyes win many games, including a big comeback victory against Illinois.
He averaged 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
His team had an amazing 34–3 record and won the Big 10 regular season championship. They were also ranked #1 in the nation for a long time.

Sophomore Year (2011–2012)

Thomas took on a bigger role this year and started every game.
He was named Big 10 Player of the Week in December 2011.
He had his first "double-double" (scoring at least 10 points and getting at least 10 rebounds) against Michigan. He scored 25 points and had 13 rebounds.
He was chosen for the All-Big Ten team.
In the NCAA Tournament, Thomas had one of his best games, scoring 31 points and getting 12 rebounds.

Junior Year (2012–2013)

Thomas led the Buckeyes to win the 2012 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tipoff championship. He was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
In April 2013, Thomas decided to leave Ohio State early to enter the 2013 NBA draft. He finished his college career as the 9th highest scorer in Ohio State history.

Professional Basketball Career

Deshaun Thomas was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs as the 58th pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

Playing in France (2013–2014)

After being drafted, Thomas signed with JSF Nanterre in France. He played one season there, averaging 12.2 points per game.

Playing in Spain (2014–2015)

In 2014, Thomas joined FC Barcelona in Spain. He played one year with them, averaging 8.4 points per game.

NBA G League (2015–2016)

Thomas briefly signed with the San Antonio Spurs in 2015 but was later waived. He then played for the Austin Spurs in the NBA Development League (now called the G League).

Playing in Turkey (2016–2017)

In 2016, Thomas signed with Anadolu Efes in Turkey. He played there for one season.

Playing in Israel (2017–2018)

In 2017, Thomas joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. He had a great season, averaging 11.5 points per game. He helped Maccabi Tel Aviv win the Israeli League Cup and the Israeli League Championship!

Playing in Greece (2018–2020)

In 2018, Thomas signed with Panathinaikos in Greece. He played there for two seasons, which was the longest he stayed with one club in his professional career.

In 2019, he helped Panathinaikos win the Greek Basketball Cup. He had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the final game.
He also helped Panathinaikos win the Greek Championship.
In his second season, he averaged 13.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in EuroLeague games.

Playing in Japan (2020–2021)

In 2020, Thomas moved to Japan and played for Alvark Tokyo.

Playing in Germany (2021–2022)

In 2021, Thomas signed with Bayern Munich in Germany. He averaged 9.6 points per game in EuroLeague games.

Playing in Italy (2022–2023)

In 2022, Thomas joined Olimpia Milano in Italy. He played there for one season.

Return to Spain (2023–2024)

In 2023, Thomas signed with Joventut Badalona in Spain.

Return to France (2024)

In January 2024, Thomas signed with ASVEL in France, where he finished his career.

Awards and Accomplishments

Deshaun Thomas earned many awards throughout his basketball career:

High School Achievements:

* One of the top all-time scorers in Indiana high school boys' basketball. * Won two state championships with Bishop Luers High School. * Named Indiana Mr. Basketball in 2010. * Selected as a McDonald's All-American and a Parade All-American. * His jersey number 1 was retired by Bishop Luers High School.

College Achievements:

* Named to the All-Big Ten team multiple times. * Led the Big Ten conference in scoring average in his junior year. * Named tournament MVP in the 2012 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tipoff. * Recognized as an All-American by various sports organizations.

Professional Achievements:

* Won the French Basketball Cup in 2014. * Won the Israeli League Cup in 2017. * Won the Israeli Premier League Championship in 2018. * Won the Greek Basketball Cup in 2019. * Won the Greek League Championship twice (2019, 2020). * Named to the All-Bundesliga First Team in 2022.