Lance Thomas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lance Thomas

Thomas with the New York Knicks in 2017
Personal information
Born	(1988-04-24) April 24, 1988 (age 37) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
High school	Scotch Plains-Fanwood (Scotch Plains, New Jersey) St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, New Jersey)
Listed height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight	235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
College	Duke (2006–2010)
NBA Draft	2010 / Undrafted
Pro career	2010–2020
Career history
2010–2011	Austin Toros
2011	New Orleans Hornets
2012	Austin Toros
2012–2013	New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans
2013–2014	Foshan Dralions
2014–2015	Oklahoma City Thunder
2015–2019	New York Knicks
2020	Brooklyn Nets
Career highlights and awards
NBA D-League All-Star (2012) NCAA champion (2010) ACC All-Defensive Team (2010) McDonald's All-American (2006) Second-team Parade All-American (2006)
Medals Representing  United States Basketball Pan American Games Bronze 2011 Guadalajara United States FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship Gold 2006 San Antonio United States

Lance Thomas (born April 24, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. He was a starting power forward for the Duke team that won the national championship in 2010.

High School Basketball Journey

Lance Thomas started his high school basketball career at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in New Jersey. After two years, he moved to St. Benedict's Preparatory School. There, he helped his team win two state titles. They had an amazing record of 56 wins and only 3 losses in his last two seasons. In his senior year, he averaged 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

In 2005, Lance played in the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival. His team won a silver medal. After his senior year, he was chosen to play in the 2006 McDonald's All-American game. This game features the best high school basketball players in the country.

Lance was considered a top player. He was ranked as the 13th best small forward and 42nd best player in the nation in 2006. On April 5, 2006, he decided to play college basketball at Duke University. Before starting college, he also helped the USA Under-18 national team win a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.

College Career at Duke

Lance Thomas guarding Craig Brackins of Iowa State.

Lance Thomas played for the Duke Blue Devils from 2006 to 2010.

Freshman and Sophomore Years

As a freshman, Lance played in 31 games and started 18 of them. He averaged 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He was very good at shooting, making 56.8% of his shots.

In his sophomore year, he played 32 games and started 28. He averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in about 18.5 minutes per game. He grabbed at least five rebounds in 12 games that season.

Junior Year Highlights

Lance scored his career-high 21 points against Duquesne on November 28, 2008. This broke his old record of 15 points. People noticed how well he could finish shots close to the basket. It was said that if he got the ball near the hoop, he would likely score.

As a junior, Lance averaged 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds. He shot an impressive 62.6% from the field. He felt that the Duke team that year was stronger because they had more experience.

Senior Year and NCAA Championship

In his senior year, Lance was a co-captain of the Duke team, along with star point guard Jon Scheyer. In January 2010, he had a career-high 12 rebounds against NC State. In February, he hurt his right knee during a game against North Carolina. This injury made him miss the next game.

Lance played a key role in Duke winning the 2010 NCAA championship. This was Duke's fourth national title. In the championship game, Duke played against Butler. Butler's star player, Gordon Hayward, missed a last-second shot. This gave Duke a close 61–59 victory.

Lance was named to the 2009–10 ACC All-Defensive Team. He finished his college career ranked 10th on Duke's all-time list for offensive rebounds. In his senior year, he averaged 4.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 40 games.

Professional Basketball Career

Austin Toros (2010–2012)

After college, Lance Thomas played in the NBA Development League (now G-League) for the Austin Toros. He played for them from November 2010 to December 2011. In December 2011, he signed with the New Orleans Hornets for their training camp. He made the team for the start of the 2011–12 NBA season, but the Hornets later let him go on December 31.

On January 4, 2012, Lance rejoined the Austin Toros. He was chosen to play in the 2012 NBA Development League All-Star Game. In 65 games for Austin over two seasons, he averaged 13.4 points and 6.2 rebounds.

New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2012–2013)

Lance Thomas playing for the New Orleans Hornets in 2013.

On February 6, 2012, the New Orleans Hornets called Lance up again. He signed a 10-day contract, then another, and finally a multi-year deal.

In the 2012–13 season, Lance played in 59 games for the Hornets. He averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. In April 2013, the team changed its name to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Pelicans let Lance go in July 2013, but he re-signed with them in August. However, he only played five games in the 2013–14 season before being waived again in November. Overall, he played 106 games for New Orleans, averaging 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds.

Foshan Dralions (2013–2014)

On December 27, 2013, Lance Thomas signed with the Foshan Dralions in China for the rest of their season. In 16 games for Foshan, he had impressive averages of 26.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2014–2015)

Lance signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder on September 29, 2014. The Thunder's coach, Scott Brooks, praised Lance. He said Lance was a hard worker who could guard different positions and always gave his best.

New York Knicks (2015–2019)

On January 5, 2015, Lance was traded to the New York Knicks. This was part of a big trade involving three teams and six players. He was waived by the Knicks two days later.

However, Lance returned to the Knicks on a 10-day contract on January 10. He signed another 10-day contract, and then a deal for the rest of the season.

On March 22, 2015, Lance scored a career-high 24 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors. He tied this career high on December 21, 2015, against the Orlando Magic.

Lance re-signed with the Knicks in July 2015 and again in July 2016. Before the 2017–18 season, he was named a co-captain of the Knicks team. He was waived by the Knicks on June 29, 2019.

Brooklyn Nets (2020)

On September 27, 2019, Lance signed with the Brooklyn Nets, but he was waived in October. On July 14, 2020, the Nets signed Lance again as a substitute player.

National Team Career

In 2011, Lance Thomas was part of the U.S. national team. They won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games. The next year, Lance was added to the 2012 USA Men's Select Team. This team trained against the main USA Basketball Men's National Team.

Career Statistics

NBA Regular Season

NBA Playoffs

College Statistics

See also

In Spanish: Lance Thomas para niños