He went on to play two seasons at SDSU and twice earned All-MWC second team honors. In his senior year, he was named 2011 All-MWC defensive team after finishing second in the conference in rebounding and blocked shots.[4][5] The team advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 that season. He ended his two-year career with the Aztecs as the school's second leading all-time shot blocker and ranked eighth all-time in both rebound average and field goal percentage.[6]
Professional career
2011–12
Thomas went undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft. During the NBA lockout that summer, he signed a $350,000 contract to play a season for Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League.[7] Most overseas rookies made about $100,000–$150,000.[8] The team released him in November 2011, despite his averaging 21 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and three assists. They wanted a more veteran player, but agreed to pay the remainder of Thomas' salary.[9]
On January 11, 2012, Thomas was then signed by the San Antonio Spurs, where he was reunited with former Aztec teammate Kawhi Leonard.[15] He played in his first NBA game on January 13 against the Portland Trail Blazers, getting one rebound in two minutes of garbage time.[16] Thomas was assigned to the Austin Toros on January 30.[17] On February 7, the Spurs waived Thomas.[18] He joined the D-Fenders again on February 9.[12]
Later that season, he signed with the Houston Rockets, who assigned him to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.[19] He then rejoined the D-Fenders, with whom he played in the D-League finals.[20]
2012–13
On October 3, 2012, Thomas signed a one-year contract with EuroLeague club Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel.[21][22] In competition in Israel, he averaged 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, and in EuroLeague competition he had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes in a 70–68 victory over Italian Montepaschi Siena in mid-October.[23] However, after Tel Aviv signed 6-foot-11 Croatian Darko Planinić, his minutes decreased.[23] Thomas was waived by Maccabi Tel Aviv in February 2013.[24]
On March 5, he rejoined the Los Angeles D-Fenders.[25] On March 8, Thomas was called up from the D-League and signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors.[26] He was assigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA D-League on March 12, 2013.[27] He was recalled a day later.[28]
On March 19, 2013, Thomas signed a 10-day contract with the Chicago Bulls.[29] He signed a second 10-day contract on March 29,[30] and signed for the remainder of the season on April 8.[31] On July 23, he was waived by the Bulls.[32]
2013–14
In November 2013, Thomas was reacquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders.[33]
On December 3, 2013, Thomas signed with the San Antonio Spurs[34] and was assigned multiple time to the Austin Toros.[35] On January 23, 2014, he was waived by the Spurs.[36] Two days later, he was claimed off waivers by the Utah Jazz.[37]
On February 3, 2014, Thomas was named to the Futures All-Star roster for the 2014 NBA D-League All-Star Game.[38]
2014–15
On July 22, 2014, Thomas was traded by Utah, along with John Lucas III and Erik Murphy, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Carrick Felix, a 2015 second round draft pick, and cash considerations.[39] On September 25, he was traded, along with John Lucas III, Erik Murphy, Dwight Powell, and the Cavaliers' 2016 and 2017 second-round picks, to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Keith Bogans and two future second-round picks.[40] Four days later, he was waived by the Celtics.[41]
On October 27, 2014, Thomas signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.[42] On November 10, he was waived by the 76ers after appearing in five games.[43] He had been playing with fluid and loose cartilage in his left knee.[44] On December 23, 2014, he re-signed with the 76ers.[45] On February 22, 2015, he was waived again by the 76ers.[46]
On October 31, 2015, Thomas was acquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders, returning to the franchise for a fourth stint.[48] On January 29, 2016, he left the D-Fenders to sign with the Meralco Bolts of the Philippines.[49] However, on February 6, 2016, he was released by the Bolts after suffering an injury before the start of the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup.[50]
On December 23, 2019, Thomas was reported to have signed with Fenerbahçe Beko.[53][54] He averaged 2.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in 12 games.[55]
On November 17, 2021, he has signed 1,5 month contract with Petkim Spor of the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL) with an option to extend until end of season.[56]
In the summer of 2017, Thomas played in The Basketball Tournament on ESPN for team A Few Good Men (Gonzaga Alumni). He competed for the $2 million prize, and for team A Few Good Men, he averaged 12.3 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game. Thomas helped take team A Few Good Men to the Super 16 round, where they then lost to Team Challenge ALS 77–60.[59]
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