Lance Thomas

Lance Thomas (born April 24, 1988) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils where he started at power forward for the national champion 2010 team.

Lance Thomas
Thomas with the New York Knicks in 2017
Free agent
PositionPower forward / Small forward
Personal information
Born (1988-04-24) April 24, 1988
Brooklyn, New York
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeDuke (2006–2010)
NBA draft2010 / Undrafted
Playing career2010–present
Career history
2010–2011Austin Toros
2011New Orleans Hornets
2012Austin Toros
2012–2013New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans
2013–2014Foshan Dralions
2014–2015Oklahoma City Thunder
2015–2019New York Knicks
2020Brooklyn Nets
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Representing  United States
Basketball
Pan American Games
2011 Guadalajara United States
FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship
2006 San Antonio United States

High school career

Thomas attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey during his freshman and sophomore years. For his junior and senior years, he attended St. Benedict's Preparatory School. He led the school to two Prep A Division New Jersey State titles with a 56–3 record in his final two seasons while averaging 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game his senior year. In 2005, Thomas played at the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival where he helped the Blue Team win the silver medal with a 3–1 record.[1] Following his senior year, he played in the 2006 McDonald's All-American game.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Thomas was listed as the No. 13 small forward and the No. 42 player in the nation in 2006.[2]

After committing to Duke University on April 5, 2006, Thomas played for the Under 18 national team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship where he helped USA win the gold medal.[3]

Recruiting
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Lance Thomas
PF		 Scotch Plains, NJ Scotch Plains-Fanwood (NJ) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Apr 5, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 6 (PF)   Rivals: 42, 13 (F)
  • 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:

  • "Duke Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com.
  • "2006 Duke Basketball Commits". Scout.com.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com.
  • "2006 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

    College career

    2006–07 season
    Thomas guarding Craig Brackins of Iowa State.

    As a freshman, Thomas averaged 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, while shooting .568 from the field, in 31 games (18 starts).

    2007–08 season
    ""Best game offensively I've played in a Duke uniform. I feel like I've played better games for this team, not including having 21 points. I mean, my game is not defined by how many points I have. But if I can bring a mix of both, and it would be great.""

    —Lance Thomas on his career high in points with 21 against Duquesne on November 28, 2008

    As a sophomore, Thomas averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 18.5 minutes in 32 games (28 starts). He posted a .505 field goal percentage and recorded at least five rebounds 12 times, including eight of Duke's 16 ACC games.

    Thomas' career high in points came on November 28, 2008, when he scored 21 against Duquesne. His new career high broke his previous record of 15 points set on November 20, 2006. Thomas' ability to finish shots was a big staple of his improvement. It was said of him, "If he gets the ball within three feet of the basket, chances are he's going to put the ball in the hoop — regardless of whether he's fouled."[4]

    2008–09 season

    As a junior, Thomas averaged 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting .626 from the field, in 37 games (16 starts). Thomas felt that the biggest difference between this year's Duke team and the ones from the last two years, was experience.[5]

    2009–10 season: NCAA championship

    In his senior year, Thomas and All-American point guard Jon Scheyer were co-captains of Duke's team. In January 2010, Thomas had a career-high 12 rebounds against NC State. On February 10, the eighth-ranked Blue Devils held on for a 64–54 victory against rival North Carolina. However, Thomas suffered a severe bone bruise to his right knee early in the second half, forcing him to miss the next game against Maryland.[6]

    Thomas helped Duke win the 2010 NCAA championship, their fourth since 1991.[7] In the 2010 NCAA championship game, Duke faced Butler and star swingman Gordon Hayward. The Bulldogs had a chance to win with 3.6 seconds left, but Hayward missed a half-court shot, giving Duke a 61–59 win.[8]

    Thomas was named to the 2009–10 ACC All-Defensive Team for 2010 and finished his college basketball career ranked 10th on Duke's all-time list in offensive rebounds (255).[9] In 40 games (39 starts) as a senior, he averaged 4.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game.

    Professional career

    Austin Toros (2010–2012)

    Between November 2010 and December 2011, Thomas played in the NBA Development League for the Austin Toros. On December 9, 2011, Thomas signed with the New Orleans Hornets for training camp.[10] He made the Hornets' roster for the start of the lockout-shortened 2011–12 NBA season, but he was later waived by the team on December 31.[11]

    On January 4, 2012, Thomas was reacquired by the Austin Toros.[12] He was later selected to play in the 2012 NBA Development League All-Star Game. In 65 games for Austin over two seasons, he averaged 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.[13]

    New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2012–2013)
    Thomas with the Hornets on March 15, 2013.

    On February 6, 2012, Thomas was called up by the New Orleans Hornets, signing a 10-day contract with the team.[14] He later signed a second 10-day contract on February 16,[15] and a multi-year deal on February 27.[16]

    In 2012–13, Thomas played in 59 games for the Hornets, averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.[17] In April 2013, the Hornets were renamed the New Orleans Pelicans.

    On July 10, 2013, Thomas was waived by the Pelicans.[18] He later re-signed with the Pelicans on August 22,[19] but he managed just five games for the team in 2013–14 before be was waived again on November 12.[20] In 106 games for New Orleans over three seasons, he averaged 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game.

    Foshan Dralions (2013–2014)

    On December 27, 2013, Thomas signed with the Foshan Dralions for the rest of the 2013–14 CBA season.[21] In 16 games for Foshan, he averaged 26.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

    Oklahoma City Thunder (2014–2015)

    On September 29, 2014, Thomas signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[22] Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said of Thomas, "Lance is a hard worker. He's a player that can guard multiple positions. He gives you everything he has and that's what you want."[23]

    New York Knicks (2015–2019)

    On January 5, 2015, Thomas was traded to the New York Knicks in a three-team, six-player trade that also involved the Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers.[24] He was waived by the Knicks two days later.[25]

    On January 10, Thomas returned to the Knicks on a 10-day contract.[26] He later signed a second 10-day contract on January 21,[27] and a rest-of-season deal on January 31.[28]

    On March 22, 2015, Thomas scored a career-high 24 points in a 106–89 loss to the Toronto Raptors.[29]

    On July 10, 2015, Thomas re-signed with the Knicks.[30] On December 21, 2015, he tied his career high of 24 points in a 107–99 loss to the Orlando Magic.[31]

    On July 8, 2016, Thomas again re-signed with the Knicks.[32]

    Prior to the start of the 2017–18 season, Thomas was named co-captain of the Knicks alongside Courtney Lee.[33]

    On June 29, 2019, he was waived by the Knicks.[34]

    Brooklyn Nets (2019–2020)

    On September 27, 2019, Thomas signed with the Brooklyn Nets,[35] but was waived on October 18.[36] On July 14, 2020, the Nets signed Thomas as a substitute player.[37]

    National team career

    In 2011, Thomas was a member of the US national team that won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games. A year later, Thomas was added to the 2012 USA Men's Select Team roster that trained against the 2012 USA Basketball Men's National Team during its July 6–12 training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada.[38]

    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
    2011–12 New Orleans 421015.0.452.000.8393.0.3.2.24.0
    2012–13 New Orleans 59910.9.500–.7291.9.3.2.12.5
    2013–14 New Orleans 508.4.222–.5001.4.6.0.01.2
    2014–15 Oklahoma City 221320.5.357.000.6973.4.9.5.05.1
    2014–15 New York 402426.0.434.333.7423.01.2.7.28.3
    2015–16 New York 59522.3.442.404.8572.2.9.4.18.2
    2016–17 New York 461521.0.398.447.8433.2.8.4.16.0
    2017–18 New York 733118.5.382.403.8302.4.6.4.24.1
    2018–19 New York 461717.0.396.278.7502.5.6.4.24.5
    2019–20 Brooklyn 7414.0.348.3081.0001.9.9.0.03.4
    Career 39912818.4.416.381.7992.6.7.4.15.1

    Playoffs
    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2020 Brooklyn 305.7.200.000.5001.0.0.0.31.3
    Career 305.7.200.000.5001.0.0.0.31.3

    College
    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2006–07 Duke 311814.9.568–.5932.5.0.5.14.0
    2007–08 Duke 322818.5.505–.5213.3.3.6.44.3
    2008–09 Duke 371618.6.626–.5533.6.5.5.35.3
    2009–10 Duke 403925.3.439–.7434.9.9.6.24.8
    Career 14010119.7.525–.6003.6.5.6.24.6

    References
    1. All-Time USA Basketball Men's Roster // T
    2. Lance Thomas – Rivals.com
    3. FIFTH FIBA AMERICAS U18 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MEN-- 2006
    4. Thomas scores 21 as Duke pounds Duquesne
    5. Extended Interview: Lance Thomas
    6. Duke's Thomas suffers bone bruise, to miss Maryland game
    7. Duke Holds Off Butler to Win 4th N.C.A.A. Title
    8. Duke Ends Fairy Tale Run for Butler; Captures 4th National Championship
    9. Where Lance Thomas Goes, Success Follows
    10. "Hornets add nine players to training camp". Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
    11. New Orleans Hornets waive F Lance Thomas
    12. 2011-12 Transactions Archived March 7, 2013, at WebCite
    13. Lance Thomas D-League Stats
    14. "Hornets sign forward Lance Thomas to 10-day contract". Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
    15. "Hornets sign Lance Thomas to second 10-day contract". Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
    16. "Hornets sign Lance Thomas for rest of season". Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
    17. Lance Thomas NBA Stats
    18. PELICANS WAIVE THOMAS
    19. PELICANS SIGN LANCE THOMAS AND ARINZE ONUAKU
    20. PELICANS SIGN AMUNDSON AND CHILDRESS
    21. ShamSports.com: Lance Thomas player profile
    22. OKC Thunder training camp: Michael Jenkins, Richard Soloman, Lance Thomas, Talib Zanna added to roster
    23. Lance Thomas Makes Roster Thanks to Tenacity
    24. Knicks Part of Three-Team Trade
    25. "Knicks waive Lou Amundson, Lance Thomas, Alex Kirk". Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
    26. "Knicks sign Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas to 10-day contracts". Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
    27. Knicks Sign Lance Thomas to Second 10-Day Contract
    28. Knicks Sign Thomas For Remainder Of Season
    29. DeRozan scores 23, Raptors rout Knicks 106-89
    30. "Knicks Re-Sign Lance Thomas". NBA.com. July 10, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
    31. "Vucevic scores 26, Magic snap Knicks' 4-game win streak". NBA.com. December 21, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
    32. "Knicks Re-Sign Lance Thomas". NBA.com. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
    33. "New York Knicks: Courtney Lee, Lance Thomas voted team captains". dailyknicks.com. December 7, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
    34. "Lance Thomas: Waived by Knicks". cbssports.com. June 29, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
    35. "Brooklyn Nets Sign Lance Thomas". NBA.com. September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
    36. "Brooklyn Nets Waive Four". NBA.com. October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
    37. "BROOKLYN NETS SIGN LANCE THOMAS". NBA.com. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
    38. USA Basketball Adds Two 2011 USA Pan American Games Players to 2012 USA Men’s Select Team Roster
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