James Thomas (basketball) facts for kids
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 22, 1980 Schenectady, New York, U.S. |
| High school | Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Virginia) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Texas (2000–2004) |
| NBA Draft | 2004 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 2004–2015 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2004–2005 | Roanoke Dazzle |
| 2005 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2005 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2005 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2005–2006 | Albany Patroons |
| 2006 | Chicago Bulls |
| 2006–2008 | Climamio Bologna |
| 2008–2009 | Erdemirspor |
| 2009–2010 | Bancatercas Teramo |
| 2010–2011 | Erdemirspor |
| 2011–2012 | Givova Scafati |
| 2012–2013 | Maccabi Haifa |
| 2013 | Titanes del Licey |
| 2013 | Soles de Mexicali |
| 2013–2014 | Maccabi Rishon LeZion |
| 2014 | Titanes del Licey |
| 2014–2015 | Academia Montana |
| 2015 | Marinos de Anzoátegui |
| As coach: | |
| 2015–2016 | Maine Red Claws (assistant) |
| 2017–2019 | Schenectady HS (girls) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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James D. Thomas Jr., born on November 22, 1980, is an American who used to play professional basketball. He was a strong forward, standing 6 feet 8 inches tall. After his playing career, he became an assistant coach for the Maine Red Claws in the NBA Development League.
Thomas was recognized as the NBA Development League Rookie of the Year in the 2004–05 season. He also played for several teams in the NBA, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Chicago Bulls. Later, he took his basketball talents to teams in other countries.
Contents
James Thomas: A Basketball Journey
James Thomas started his basketball journey playing in high school at Hargrave Military Academy. He then went on to play college basketball for the University of Texas from 2000 to 2004. His skills on the court helped him prepare for a professional career.
Starting His Pro Career
After college, James Thomas began his professional basketball career. He joined the Roanoke Dazzle in the NBA Development League (now called the G League). He quickly made a big impact, earning the title of NBA D-League Rookie of the Year in 2005. This award showed everyone how talented he was.
His great performance in the D-League led him to play in the NBA. He played for teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and the Atlanta Hawks in 2004. In 2005, he also played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls. Playing in the NBA is a dream for many basketball players, and James Thomas achieved it.
Playing Basketball Around the World
After his time in the NBA, James Thomas decided to play basketball overseas. This meant he traveled to different countries to join their professional leagues. He played for teams in Italy, Turkey, and Israel.
For example, he played for Climamio Bologna in Italy from 2006 to 2008. He also played for Erdemirspor in Turkey and Maccabi Haifa B.C. in Israel. Playing internationally allowed him to experience different styles of basketball and cultures. In 2013, he also played for Maccabi Rishon LeZion.
Life After Playing: Coaching
After a long and successful playing career that ended in 2015, James Thomas transitioned into coaching. From 2015 to 2016, he worked as an assistant coach for the Maine Red Claws. This team is part of the NBA Development League, where he once shined as a player.
Later, from 2017 to 2019, he coached the girls' basketball team at Schenectady High School. This allowed him to share his knowledge and love for the game with younger players.
Awesome Achievements
Throughout his career, James Thomas earned several impressive awards and recognitions:
- NBA D-League Rookie of the Year (2005)
- All-NBDL Second Team (2005)
- CBA Newcomer of the Year (2006)
- All-CBA First Team (2006)
- CBA All-Defensive First Team (2006)
These awards show that he was not only a great scorer but also a strong defensive player.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Basketball-Reference.com
See also
In Spanish: James Thomas para niños
