Isiah Thomas facts for kids

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Isiah Thomas

Thomas in 2007

[[Saginaw Soul|Saginaw Soul]]

Head coach

Personal information

Born

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–present

League

BSL

Career history

As player:

1981–1994

Detroit Pistons

As coach:

2000–2003

Indiana Pacers

2006–2008

New York Knicks

2009–2012

FIU

2025–present

Saginaw Soul (BSL)

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 (pronounced eye-ZAY-uh; born April 30, 1961) is a famous American basketball player and coach. He is also known by his nickname, "Zeke". Isiah Thomas played his entire professional career for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Many people consider him one of the best point guards of all time. Thomas won two NBA championships and was named the NBA Finals MVP once. He was also a 12-time NBA All-Star and won the All-Star Game MVP award twice. He led the NBA in assists in 1985. Thomas was honored as one of the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. After his playing career, he coached the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and FIU. He is currently the head coach for the Saginaw Soul.

Early Life and High School Basketball

Isiah Lord Thomas III was born on April 30, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the youngest of nine children. Thomas started playing basketball when he was only three years old. He would even perform dribbling and shooting tricks during halftime at local games.

Isiah's father, Isiah Thomas II, was a veteran who served in the army. He later became the first Black supervisor at International Harvester in Chicago. When the factory closed, the family faced tough times. Isiah Thomas II left the family when Isiah was young.

Isiah Thomas III attended Our Lady of Sorrows School and St. Joseph High School. This school was in Westchester, Illinois, a short trip from his home. Under coach Gene Pingatore, he led St. Joseph to the state finals in his junior year. He was considered one of the best young players in the country.

College Basketball Career

Thomas with Indiana coach Bob Knight during the 1981 NCAA tournament

Thomas decided to play college basketball for coach Bob Knight at Indiana University. Some rumors said Knight was a very strict coach. However, Thomas's mother believed that Knight's discipline would be good for her son. She also thought moving to Bloomington, Indiana, would help him.

Thomas had to quickly get used to Coach Knight's tough coaching style. Knight once got so upset with Thomas during practice that he kicked him out. Thomas understood that Knight wanted to show that no player, no matter how talented, was more important than the team's rules.

Thomas quickly showed how skilled he was as a player. He became a favorite of both Coach Knight and the fans. Fans even called him "Mr. Wonderful." Because Thomas was relatively short for a college basketball player at 6 feet 1 inch, Coach Knight sometimes called him "Pee Wee."

In his first year, Thomas and teammate Mike Woodson helped the Hoosiers win the Big Ten Conference championship. They also reached the "Sweet Sixteen" in the 1980 NCAA tournament.

For the next season, Knight made Thomas the team captain. He told Thomas to lead the team on the court. Thomas did so well that he and Knight became good friends.

That year, Thomas and the Hoosiers won another conference title. They also won the 1981 NCAA tournament, which was the school's fourth national championship. Thomas was named the tournament's 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 chose Isiah Thomas as the second overall pick. He quickly became a star. In his first year, he started for the Eastern Conference in the 1982 NBA All-Star Game. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie Team.

In 1983, Thomas scored an amazing 47 points and had 17 assists in a game against the Denver Nuggets. In the 1984 NBA playoffs, Thomas and the Pistons played against the New York Knicks. In a key game, Thomas scored 16 points in just 94 seconds to force overtime. However, he fouled out, and the Knicks won.

The Pistons kept getting better. In the 1987 NBA playoffs, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. They faced the strong Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird. The series was tied 2-2. In Game 5, with seconds left and the Pistons ahead by one point, Bird stole Thomas's pass and helped the Celtics win.

In 1988, the Pistons finally beat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. They reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 32 years. They played against the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Magic Johnson. Thomas and Johnson were good friends. The Pistons took a 3-2 lead in the series.

In Game 6, Thomas badly sprained his ankle. Even though he was in pain, he kept playing. He scored 25 points in the third quarter, which was an NBA Finals record. But the Lakers won the game by one point. With Thomas injured, the Lakers won Game 7 and the championship.

Winning NBA Championships

The next season, Thomas and his teammates, known as the "Bad Boys", had a great record of 63-19. They played a very tough style of basketball. In the 1989 NBA playoffs, they beat the Celtics. Then, they faced Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Conference Finals. The Pistons used special defense, called the "Jordan Rules," to limit Jordan. They beat the Bulls in six games.

In the NBA Finals, they had a rematch with the Lakers. This time, the Pistons were dominant. 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 were the top team in their conference again. After beating the Pacers and Knicks, they faced the Bulls in a tough seven-game series in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pistons won and reached their third straight Finals. They won their second championship in a row by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers. Thomas was named the NBA Finals MVP for his amazing performance.

The 1990–91 season was harder for the team due to injuries. Thomas played only 49 games. The Pistons still won 50 games. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals again, but this time the Bulls were stronger. The Bulls swept the Pistons. In the final seconds of Game 4, 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 to the New York Knicks. In 1993, they missed the playoffs for the first time in many years. In 1994, Thomas tore his Achilles tendon and had to retire from playing basketball.

Rivalries and Competition

Isiah Thomas had some famous rivalries during his career. In the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, some believed that older players, including Thomas, tried to "freeze out" rookie Michael Jordan by not passing him the ball. Thomas said this idea was "ludicrous." Jordan later said he was just happy to be there as a young player.

The rivalry between the Pistons and the Bulls was very intense. The Pistons had beaten the Bulls in the playoffs for three years in a row. But in 1991, the Bulls finally won. The series was very physical. The Pistons' walk-off at the end of the series showed how competitive it was.

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. In 2007, Thomas received a special Congressional Gold Medal for the athletes who missed the Olympics.

Despite his talent, Thomas was not chosen for the original Olympic Dream Team in 1992. Some people believe this was because of his competitive relationship with Michael Jordan.

Life After Playing Basketball

Businessman and Entrepreneur

After his playing career, Thomas became a successful businessman. He invested in many different companies. One of his main investments was a large chain of printing franchises called American Speedy Printing Centers Inc. Thomas helped this company become profitable.

He also founded Isiah International LLC, a company that invests in various businesses. Thomas has been involved in real estate projects in Chicago. He aimed to help improve communities by investing in them.

In 1999, Thomas became the first African-American elected to the board of governors of the Chicago Stock Exchange. He also owned the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), a minor basketball league. He tried to make the CBA more modern by using online streaming for games. However, he had to sell the CBA when he became an NBA coach.

Broadcasting Career

After leaving the Toronto Raptors, Thomas became a television commentator for the NBA on NBC. He worked as an analyst, sharing his basketball knowledge with fans. Since 2017, he has been a regular panelist on Players Only for The NBA on TNT, a show featuring only former NBA players.

Coaching the Indiana Pacers (2000–2003)

Thomas was hired as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers in 2000. He tried to develop young players like Jermaine O'Neal and Al Harrington. In his first two seasons, the Pacers lost in the first round of the playoffs.

In his last year with the Pacers, Thomas led them to a 48-34 record. He also coached the Eastern Conference team in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. However, the Pacers lost in the first round of the playoffs again. In August 2003, Thomas was replaced as coach.

Working with the New York Knicks (2006–2008)

In 2003, the New York Knicks hired Thomas as their president of basketball operations. He was responsible for managing the team's players and decisions. The Knicks struggled during this time.

In 2006, Thomas also became the head coach of the Knicks. The team continued to have difficulties. He was eventually reassigned from his coaching duties in April 2008.

Coaching at FIU (2009–2012)

In 2009, Thomas became the head basketball coach for Florida International University (FIU). He coached there for three seasons. In 2010, he briefly announced he would also work as a consultant for the New York Knicks, but this was not allowed by NBA rules. FIU fired Thomas in 2012 after he had a record of 26 wins and 65 losses.

New York Liberty (2015–2019)

In 2015, the WNBA team New York Liberty hired Thomas as their team president. He oversaw all business and basketball operations. Under his leadership, the Liberty finished first in the Eastern Conference in 2015. He left the Liberty in 2019.

Saginaw Soul (2025–present)

Isiah Thomas was named the head coach of the Saginaw Soul of the Basketball Super League. This is a new team that will start playing in 2025.

Acting Appearances

Isiah Thomas also made guest appearances on television shows. He played himself in an episode of the 1990s comedy Home Improvement. He also appeared as himself in a basketball-themed episode of the police show Due South.

Education and Philanthropy

Thomas graduated from Indiana University in 1987. He later earned his Master's in Education from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education in 2013. He studied how education affects Black male college athletes.

Thomas is also known for his charity work. In 1987, he organized "No Crime Day" in Detroit to encourage peace. He founded Mary's Court, a foundation named after his mother. This charity helps families and children in need in Chicago. Mary's Court works with other charities to provide meals and gifts.

Thomas has also supported the Peace League, an annual community basketball league in Chicago. He started it with Father Michael Pfleger in 2011 to reduce gang violence through basketball and communication. The Peace League also offers GED classes and job training.

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

Legacy and Achievements

Isiah Thomas had a very successful basketball career. He won an NCAA championship with Indiana in 1981 and two NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1981 Final Four and the Most Valuable Player of the 1990 NBA Finals. He was also 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 2023, his 9,061 assists rank tenth in NBA history. His average of 9.3 assists per game ranks fifth.

He is still the Pistons' all-time leader in points, steals, and assists. In 1996, the Pistons retired his jersey number 11.

Thomas was named to the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He was inducted into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2000, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Michael Jordan once called Thomas the second greatest point guard ever, after Magic Johnson.

NBA Career Statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

Regular Season Stats

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
1981–82	Detroit	72	72	33.8	.424	.288	.704	2.9	7.8	2.1	.2	17.0
1982–83	Detroit	81	81	38.2	.472	.288	.710	4.0	7.8	2.5	.4	22.9
1983–84	Detroit	82*	82*	36.7	.462	.338	.733	4.0	11.1	2.5	.4	21.3
1984–85	Detroit	81	81	38.1	.458	.257	.809	4.5	13.9*	2.3	.3	21.2
1985–86	Detroit	77	77	36.2	.488	.310	.790	3.6	10.8	2.2	.3	20.9
1986–87	Detroit	81	81	37.2	.463	.194	.768	3.9	10.0	1.9	.2	20.6
1987–88	Detroit	81	81	36.1	.463	.309	.774	3.4	8.4	1.7	.2	19.5
1988–89†	Detroit	80	76	36.6	.464	.273	.818	3.4	8.3	1.7	.3	18.2
1989–90†	Detroit	81	81	37.0	.438	.309	.775	3.8	9.4	1.7	.2	18.4
1990–91	Detroit	48	46	34.5	.435	.292	.782	3.3	9.3	1.6	.2	16.2
1991–92	Detroit	78	78	37.4	.446	.291	.772	3.2	7.2	1.5	.2	18.5
1992–93	Detroit	79	79	37.0	.418	.308	.737	2.9	8.5	1.6	.2	17.6
1993–94	Detroit	58	56	30.2	.417	.310	.702	2.7	6.9	1.2	.1	14.8
Career		979	971	36.3	.452	.290	.759	3.6	9.3	1.9	.3	19.2
All-Star		11	10	28.9	.571	.400	.771	2.5	8.8	2.8	.0	16.8

Playoff Stats

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
1984	Detroit	5	5	39.6	.470	.333	.771	3.8	11.0	2.6	1.2	21.4
1985	Detroit	9	9	39.4	.500	.400	.758	5.2	11.2	2.1	.4	24.3
1986	Detroit	4	4	40.8	.451	.000	.667	5.5	12.0	2.3	.8	26.5
1987	Detroit	15	15	37.5	.451	.303	.755	4.5	8.7	2.6	.3	24.1
1988	Detroit	23	23	39.6	.437	.295	.828	4.7	8.7	2.9	.3	21.9
1989†	Detroit	17	17	37.2	.412	.267	.740	4.3	8.3	1.6	.2	18.2
1990†	Detroit	20	20	37.9	.463	.471	.794	5.5	8.2	2.2	.4	20.5
1991	Detroit	13	11	33.5	.403	.273	.725	4.2	8.5	1.0	.2	13.5
1992	Detroit	5	5	40.0	.338	.364	.786	5.2	7.4	1.0	.0	14.0
Career		111	109	38.0	.441	.346	.769	4.7	8.9	2.1	.3	20.4

Head Coaching Record

NBA Coaching Record

Legend
Regular season	G	Games coached	W	Games won	L	Games lost	W–L %	Win–loss %
Playoffs	PG	Playoff games	PW	Playoff wins	PL	Playoff losses	PW–L %	Playoff win–loss %

Team	Year	G	W	L	W–L%	Finish	PG	PW	PL	PW–L%	Result
Indiana	2000–01	82	41	41	.500	4th in Central	4	1	3	.250	Lost in First round
Indiana	2001–02	82	42	40	.512	4th in Central	5	2	3	.400	Lost in First round
Indiana	2002–03	82	48	34	.585	2nd in Central	6	2	4	.333	Lost in First round
New York	2006–07	82	33	49	.402	4th in Atlantic	—	—	—	—	Missed playoffs
New York	2007–08	82	23	59	.280	5th in Atlantic	—	—	—	—	Missed playoffs
Career		410	187	223	.456		15	5	10	.333

College Coaching Record

Season	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing
FIU Golden Panthers / Panthers (Sun Belt Conference) (2009–2012)
2009–10	FIU	7–25	4–14	6th (East)
2010–11	FIU	11–19	5–11	6th (East)
2011–12	FIU	8–21	5–11	T–5th (East)
FIU:		26–65	14–36
Total:		26–65

Images for kids

Isiah Thomas at a press conference for FIU in 2009.
Thomas coaching the Knicks in 2007.