Isiah Thomas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Isiah Thomas

Thomas in 2007
Personal information
Born	(1961-04-30) April 30, 1961 (age 64) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
High school	St. Joseph (Westchester, Illinois)
Listed height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight	180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
College	Indiana (1979–1981)
NBA Draft	1981 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Pro career	1981–1994
Coaching career	2000–2012
Career history
As player:
1981–1994	Detroit Pistons
As coach:
2000–2003	Indiana Pacers
2006–2008	New York Knicks
2009–2012	FIU
Career highlights and awards
As player: 2× NBA champion (1989, 1990) NBA Finals MVP (1990) 12× NBA All-Star (1982–1993) 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1984, 1986) 3× All-NBA First Team (1984–1986) 2× All-NBA Second Team (1983, 1987) NBA All-Rookie First Team (1982) NBA assists leader (1985) NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th) No. 11 retired by Detroit Pistons NCAA champion (1981) NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1981) Consensus first-team All-American (1981) USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1980) McDonald's All-American (1979) As coach: NBA All-Star Game head coach (2003)
Career NBA statistics
Points	18,822 (19.2 ppg)
Assists	9,061 (9.3 apg)
Steals	1,861 (1.9 spg)
Medals Men's basketball Representing the  United States Pan American Games Gold 1979 San Juan Team competition

Isiah Lord Thomas III (born April 30, 1961), also known as "Zeke", is a former professional basketball player and coach from the United States. He is now a sports analyst for NBA TV and Fox Sports.

Thomas played his entire professional career for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a two-time NBA champion and won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award once. He was also a 12-time NBA All-Star and was named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams. In 2000, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. After playing, Thomas coached the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and FIU.

Thomas played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers. He led them to the 1981 NCAA championship in his second year. He was then picked second overall by the Pistons in the 1981 NBA draft. He led the "Bad Boys" Pistons to NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.

After his playing career, Thomas worked as an executive for the Toronto Raptors. He was also a TV commentator and owned the Continental Basketball Association. He later coached the Indiana Pacers and was an executive and coach for the New York Knicks. From 2009 to 2012, he coached the Florida International University (FIU) Golden Panthers. From 2015 to 2019, Thomas was president and part-owner of the New York Liberty, a women's basketball team.

Early Life and High School Basketball

Isiah Thomas was born on April 30, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the youngest of nine children. He started playing basketball at age three. He would even dribble and shoot during halftime at local games.

He went to St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois. This was a long commute from his home. Under coach Gene Pingatore, he led his team to the state finals in his junior year. He was seen as one of the best young players in the country.

College Basketball Career

Thomas chose to play college basketball for Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers. His mother felt that moving to Bloomington and Knight's strict coaching would be good for him.

Thomas had to quickly get used to Knight's tough coaching style. Even though Knight was strict, Thomas quickly showed his amazing skills. Fans loved him and nicknamed him "Mr. Wonderful." Knight sometimes called him "Pee Wee" because he was shorter than many college players at 6 feet 1 inch.

Thomas and teammate Mike Woodson led the Hoosiers to win the Big Ten championship. They also reached the "Sweet Sixteen" round of the 1980 NCAA tournament.

In the next season, Knight made Thomas team captain. Thomas played so well that he and Knight became friends. That year, Thomas led the Hoosiers to another conference title. They also won the 1981 NCAA tournament, which was the school's fourth national title. Thomas was named the tournament's NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player. After this, he decided to enter the NBA draft.

Professional Basketball Career

Playing for the Detroit Pistons (1981–1994)

Thomas playing for the Detroit Pistons against the New York Knicks in 1985.

In the 1981 NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons picked Thomas as the second player overall. He quickly became a star. He played in the 1982 NBA All-Star Game and was named to the All-Rookie Team.

In the 1984 NBA playoffs, Thomas scored 16 points in just 94 seconds in a key game. This helped force overtime, but the Pistons still lost. The Pistons often faced tough teams like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

In the 1987 NBA playoffs, the Pistons reached the Eastern Conference Finals. They faced the Celtics again. The series was tied, but the Celtics won Game 5 in the final seconds.

In 1988, the Pistons finally beat the Celtics. They reached their first NBA Finals in 32 years. They played against the Los Angeles Lakers. Thomas and Lakers star Magic Johnson were good friends. In Game 6, Thomas badly sprained his ankle. But he kept playing and scored 25 points in one quarter, an NBA Finals record. The Lakers won that game and then the series in Game 7.

The "Bad Boys" Era and Championships

In the 1988–89 season, Thomas led his team to a great record. The Pistons played a tough style of basketball. This earned them the nickname "Bad Boys". They beat the Chicago Bulls in the Conference Finals. Then, they swept the Lakers in four games to win their first NBA championship!

In the 1989–90 season, Thomas and the Pistons had another strong year. They won a tough seven-game series against the Bulls. Then, they beat the Portland Trail Blazers to win their second straight championship. Thomas was named the NBA Finals MVP for his amazing play.

The next season was harder for the team due to injuries. The Pistons still made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. But the Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, swept them. At the end of the last game, Thomas and most of his teammates walked off the court without shaking hands with the Bulls.

In 1992, the Pistons made the playoffs but lost in the first round. In 1993, they missed the playoffs for the first time in many years. Thomas's career ended when he tore his Achilles tendon in 1994.

Rivalries and the Dream Team

Thomas had some famous rivalries during his career. In the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, some players were accused of not passing the ball to rookie Michael Jordan. Thomas denied being involved in any "freeze out." Jordan later said he didn't believe a freeze-out happened.

In 1987, Thomas made a comment about Larry Bird that caused controversy. He later said he was just joking and supporting his teammate.

The Pistons and Bulls had intense playoff battles. After the Bulls swept the Pistons in 1991, Thomas and his teammates walked off the court without shaking hands. This moment became very famous.

Thomas was not chosen for the 1992 Olympic "Dream Team". Many believe this was because of his difficult relationship with Michael Jordan.

National Team Career

Thomas was chosen for the 1980 U.S. Olympic basketball team. However, he could not play in Moscow because the United States boycotted the Olympics. He later received a Congressional Gold Medal for the athletes who missed the games.

Even though he was very talented, Thomas was left off the famous 1992 "Dream Team." This was likely due to his strained relationship with Michael Jordan.

Life After Playing Basketball

Business Ventures

After retiring from playing, Isiah Thomas became a successful businessman. He is the head of Isiah International LLC, a company that invests in many different businesses. He has also been involved in real estate projects, especially in Chicago.

Thomas started his business career while still playing for the Pistons. He invested in a printing company and helped it become profitable. He also served on the board of the Chicago Stock Exchange.

Working in Basketball Management and Coaching

Thomas became a part-owner and executive for the Toronto Raptors in 1994. He helped the team draft talented young players like Damon Stoudamire and Tracy McGrady.

He also worked as a television commentator for the NBA on NBC. From 1998 to 2000, Thomas owned the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). He tried to use the internet to connect fans with the league. The CBA later went out of business after the NBA started its own development league.

From 2000 to 2003, Thomas coached the Indiana Pacers. He worked with young players like Jermaine O'Neal. The Pacers made the playoffs each year but lost in the first round.

In 2003, Thomas became the President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks. He later became their head coach in 2006. The team struggled during his time there. He left the Knicks in 2008.

In 2009, Thomas became the head basketball coach for Florida International University (FIU). He coached there for three seasons. He later returned to work as a studio analyst for NBA TV. In 2015, he became the President of the New York Liberty, a WNBA team.

Other Ventures

In 2016, Thomas became the main importer of Cheurlin Champagne in the United States. He also became a regular panelist on Players Only, a basketball show on TNT.

Education and Helping Others

Thomas finished his college degree at Indiana University. He also earned a Master's degree in Education from UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education in 2013. He studied how education is offered to black male college athletes.

Thomas is also known for his charity work. In 1987, he organized "No Crime Day" in Detroit. He founded Mary's Court, a charity that helps families and children in Chicago. The charity is named after his mother. Mary's Court provides meals, gifts, and educational items to children.

Thomas has also worked to reduce gang violence in Chicago. He started the Peace League, a community basketball league. This program also offers GED classes and job training. The Peace League has helped reduce violence in the area.

In 2017, Thomas received the AT&T Humanity of Connection Award. He was honored for his achievements in sports and for helping the African American community.

Personal Life

Isiah Thomas met his wife, Lynn Kendall, while they were both at Indiana University. They got married in 1985. They have a son named Joshua and a daughter named Lauren.

Legacy and Awards

Isiah Thomas had a very successful basketball career. He won an NCAA championship with Indiana in 1981. He also won two NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1981 Final Four. He was also the MVP of the 1990 NBA Finals. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star.

When Thomas retired in 1994, he was one of the NBA's all-time leaders in assists and steals. As of 2022, he ranks ninth in NBA history for assists. He is also the Pistons' all-time leader in points, assists, and steals.

In 1996, the Pistons retired his jersey number 11. He was also named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1996 and to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.

Thomas has been inducted into several Halls of Fame:

• In 1993, the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame.
• In 1998, the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
• In 2000, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Michael Jordan once called Thomas the second greatest point guard ever, only behind Magic Johnson. This shows how much respect Thomas earned for his talent.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular Season

Playoffs

Head Coaching Record

NBA

College

Images for kids

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  A press conference for Isiah Thomas at Florida International University.

• 

  Thomas coaching the Knicks in 2007.

See also

• Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
• List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders
• List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders