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.

"Cameron Thomas" redirects here. For other people with similar names, see Cam Thomas (disambiguation).
Cameron Thomas
Thomas with Brooklyn Nets in 2022
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 weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeLSU (2020–2021)
NBA draft2021 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27th overall
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

High school career

As a freshman, Thomas began playing basketball for Oscar F. Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4][5] 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.[6] 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.[7] Thomas posted 30-plus points in nine games, including two 40-point performances.[8] He led his team to the Tournament of Champions title, where he was named most valuable player.[9] Thomas was selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic.[10]

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.[8]

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:   247Sports:    ESPN:   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.[11] 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.[12] On April 15, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[13]

    Professional career

    Brooklyn Nets (2021–present)

    Thomas was selected with the 27th pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets.[14] Thomas was later included in the roster of Brooklyn Nets to play in 2021 NBA Summer League.[15] On August 5, 2021, Thomas signed with the Brooklyn Nets.[16] 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.[17] On October 19, 2021, Thomas made his debut in the NBA, coming-off from bench with two points in a 104–127 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.[18] On November 20, while on assignment with the Long Island Nets, he scored 46 points in a 114-110 win over the Raptors 905.[19]

    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
    Career 67217.6.433.270.8292.41.2.5.18.5

    Playoffs
    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2022 Brooklyn 100.0———.0.0.0.0.0
    Career 100.0———.0.0.0.0.0

    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

    Personal 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. He often watches videos of NBA players to learn new moves.[20]

    References
    1. 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.
    2. Teel, David (May 29, 2018). "Cam Thomas having breakout spring for Boo Williams team". Daily Press. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
    3. Divens, Jordan (October 17, 2018). "Preseason Top 25 High School Basketball Rankings: No. 2 Oak Hill Academy". MaxPreps. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
    4. Hayes, Tim (October 16, 2019). "Thomas, Robinson among the stars for Oak Hill Academy Warriors". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
    5. Divens, Jordan (April 17, 2019). "2018-19 MaxPreps Boys Basketball Junior All-American Team". MaxPreps. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. Biancardi, Paul; Borzello, Jeff (November 18, 2019). "Five-star scorer Cameron Thomas commits to LSU". ESPN. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
    9. Raymer, Kai (January 18, 2020). "Oak Hill claims fourth Bass Pro Tournament of Champions title". Ozarks Sports Zone. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
    10. Jordan, Jason (February 14, 2020). "Jordan Brand Classic Rosters Revealed". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
    11. "LSU's Thomas scores 27 in collegiate debut". ESPN. Associated Press. November 26, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
    12. Plain, Megan (April 15, 2021). "Chesapeake's Cam Thomas declares for NBA Draft after one season at LSU". WTKR. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
    13. 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.
    14. Winfield, Kristian (July 29, 2021). "Nets pick up LSU guard Cameron Thomas at No. 27 overall". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
    15. "Brooklyn Nets announce summer League roster". nba.com. August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
    16. "Brooklyn Nets Sign Cam Thomas". nba.com. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
    17. Conway, Tyler. "Kings' Davion Mitchell, Nets' Cameron Thomas Named Co-MVPs of 2021 NBA Summer League". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
    18. "Bucks begin title defense with 127-104 victory over Nets". NBA.com. October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
    19. Taylor, Cody (November 21, 2021). "Nets' Cam Thomas erupted for 46 points in G League assignment". Rookie Wire. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
    20. Dellenger, Ross. "The Mother-and-Son Bond That Fuels LSU's Cameron Thomas". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
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