Cam Thomas (basketball)

Cameron Bouchea Thomas (born October 13, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the best shooting guards in the 2020 class. He played college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU).

For other people, see Cam Thomas (disambiguation).
Cam Thomas
Thomas with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021
No. 24 – Brooklyn Nets
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2001-10-13) October 13, 2001
Yokosuka, Japan
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeLSU (2020-2021)
NBA draft2021: 1st round, 27th overall pick
Selected by the Brooklyn Nets
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–presentBrooklyn Nets
2021→Long Island Nets
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-SEC (2021)
  • SEC All-Freshman Team (2021)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Early life

Thomas was born in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan while his mother was living there. When he was seven, he won a contest by making 33 free throws in a row.[1]

As a freshman, Thomas began playing basketball for Oscar F. Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia.[2] He did not play in his sophomore season because he and his mother "weren't on the same page" as the team's coaching staff.[3] For his junior season, he transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, where he joined Cole Anthony and Kofi Cockburn in one of the most touted teams in the country.[4] Thomas averaged a team-high 26.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, leading his team to a 31–5 record.[5][6] In July 2019, he was named Offensive Player of the Year at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League after averaging a league-best 29.5 points per game for Boo Williams.[7] As a senior at Oak Hill, Thomas averaged 31.5 points, six rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, leaving as the program's all-time leading scorer.[8] Thomas posted 30-plus points in nine games, including two 40-point performances.[9] He led his team to the Tournament of Champions title, where he was named most valuable player.[10] Thomas was selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic.[11]

Recruiting

On November 18, 2019, Thomas committed to play college basketball for LSU. He chose the Tigers over an offer from UCLA, among others, after taking official visits to both schools.[9]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Cameron Thomas
SG		 Chesapeake, VA Oak Hill Academy (VA) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Nov 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars   ESPN grade: 93
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 27  247Sports: 25  ESPN: 23
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "LSU 2020 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  • "2020 LSU Tigers Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  • "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.

College career

In Thomas's college debut on November 26, 2020, he scored 27 points in a 94–81 win against SIU Edwardsville.[12] Thomas led all freshman in scoring with 23 points per game, while also averaging 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He was named to the First Team All-SEC.[13] On April 15, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[14]

Professional career

Brooklyn Nets (2021–present)

Thomas was selected with the 27th pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets.[15] Thomas was later included in the roster of the Nets to play in 2021 NBA Summer League.[16] On August 5, 2021, Thomas signed with the Brooklyn Nets.[17] Thomas was named NBA Summer League MVP with Davion Mitchell averaging 27 points per game and was the Summer League leading scorer, and was named to the Summer League First Team.[18] On October 19, 2021, Thomas made his debut in the NBA, coming off the bench to score two points in a 104–127 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.[19] On November 20, while on assignment with the Long Island Nets, he scored 46 points in a 114–110 win over the Raptors 905.[20]

Thomas joined the Nets' 2022 NBA Summer League roster.[21] On July 18, 2022, Thomas was named to the All-NBA Summer League First Team.[22] On December 10, Thomas scored a then-career-high 33 points in a 136–133 win over the Indiana Pacers.[23]

On February 4, 2023, Thomas put up a then career-high 44 points in a 125–123 win over the Washington Wizards.[24] The next game, Thomas scored a new career-high 47 points in a 124–116 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. He became the second youngest player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in consecutive games, behind LeBron James. On February 7, 2023, Thomas put up 43 points in a 116–112 loss to the Phoenix Suns. With this game, Thomas became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in three consecutive games.[25] On February 10, 2023, he was fined $40,000 by the NBA for saying "no homo", which was perceived as anti-gay, during a post-game interview following a game the night before against the Chicago Bulls.[26]

On October 25, 2023, Thomas put up 36 points off the bench in a 114–113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. His 36 points were the most off the bench in a season-opener in NBA history.[27]

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
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Brooklyn 67217.6.433.270.8292.41.2.5.18.5
2022–23 Brooklyn 57416.6.441.383.8681.71.4.4.110.6
Career 124617.1.437.319.8532.11.3.4.19.5

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2022 Brooklyn 10.4———.0.0.0.0.0
2023 Brooklyn 207.8.429.000—.5.5.0.03.0
Career 305.3.429.000—.3.3.0.02.0

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 LSU 292934.0.406.325.8823.41.4.9.223.0

References
  1. Dellenger, Ross. "The Mother-and-Son Bond That Fuels LSU's Cameron Thomas". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  2. Brown, Mitch (February 10, 2017). "Oscar Smith eyeing a state title game return with the help of a fantastic freshman". WTKR. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  3. Teel, David (May 29, 2018). "Cam Thomas having breakout spring for Boo Williams team". Daily Press. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  4. Divens, Jordan (October 17, 2018). "Preseason Top 25 High School Basketball Rankings: No. 2 Oak Hill Academy". MaxPreps. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  5. Hayes, Tim (October 16, 2019). "Thomas, Robinson among the stars for Oak Hill Academy Warriors". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  6. Divens, Jordan (April 17, 2019). "2018-19 MaxPreps Boys Basketball Junior All-American Team". MaxPreps. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  7. Pope IV, Jonas (July 3, 2019). "This five-star NC State basketball target named EYBL Offensive Player of the Year". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  8. West, Glen (April 2, 2020). "LSU Five-Star Guard Cam Thomas Named to Inaugural SI All-American Second-Team". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  9. Biancardi, Paul; Borzello, Jeff (November 18, 2019). "Five-star scorer Cameron Thomas commits to LSU". ESPN. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  10. Raymer, Kai (January 18, 2020). "Oak Hill claims fourth Bass Pro Tournament of Champions title". Ozarks Sports Zone. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  11. Jordan, Jason (February 14, 2020). "Jordan Brand Classic Rosters Revealed". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  12. "LSU's Thomas scores 27 in collegiate debut". ESPN. Associated Press. November 26, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  13. Plain, Megan (April 15, 2021). "Chesapeake's Cam Thomas declares for NBA Draft after one season at LSU". WTKR. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  14. Guilbeau, Glenn (April 15, 2021). "LSU star Cameron Thomas declares for NBA Draft; Jalen Cook, Aundre Hyatt may transfer". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  15. Winfield, Kristian (July 29, 2021). "Nets pick up LSU guard Cameron Thomas at No. 27 overall". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  16. "Brooklyn Nets announce summer League roster". nba.com. August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  17. "Brooklyn Nets Sign Cam Thomas". nba.com. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  18. Conway, Tyler. "Kings' Davion Mitchell, Nets' Cameron Thomas Named Co-MVPs of 2021 NBA Summer League". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  19. "Bucks begin title defense with 127-104 victory over Nets". NBA.com. October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  20. Taylor, Cody (November 21, 2021). "Nets' Cam Thomas erupted for 46 points in G League assignment". Rookie Wire. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  21. "Brooklyn Nets 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster | NBA.com". www.nba.com. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  22. Darro, Thomas (2022-07-18). "Brooklyn Nets Guard Receives Impressive Offseason Award". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  23. Yapkowitz, David (December 10, 2022). "No Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving, no problem as Cam Thomas drops career-high". ClutchPoints. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  24. Guinhawa, Angelo (February 4, 2023). "Cam Thomas shows Nets he deserves more minutes after 44-point explosion". ClutchPoints. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  25. Songco, Paolo (February 6, 2023). "No Kyrie Irving, no problem: Nets' Cam Thomas enters LeBron James territory after explosion vs. Clippers". ClutchPoints. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  26. "Cam Thomas fined $40K for anti-gay remark during interview". ESPN.com. February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  27. Meyer, Nick (October 25, 2023). "Nets' Cam Thomas makes NBA history with 36-point explosion in Brooklyn's season-opening loss to Cavs". ClutchPoints. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
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