 Thomas in 2008 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1986-08-17)August 17, 1986 (age 39) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | McKinley (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) |
| College | LSU (2005–2006) |
| NBA draft | 2006: 1st round, 4th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Playing career | 2006–2016 |
| Position | Power forward /center |
| Number | 24, 12, 13 |
| Career history | |
| 2006–2010 | Chicago Bulls |
| 2010–2013 | Charlotte Bobcats |
| 2015 | Iowa Energy |
| 2015 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2015–2016 | Eisbären Bremerhaven |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
Tyrus Wayne Thomas (born August 17, 1986) is an American former professionalbasketball player. He played college basketball forLouisiana State University (LSU) before being drafted fourth overall by thePortland Trail Blazers in the2006 NBA draft. He was then traded to theChicago Bulls where he went on to play three and a half seasons when in February 2010, he was traded to theCharlotte Bobcats.
As a 5'10" freshman, Thomas tried out for his varsity basketball team but was cut. He only played organized basketball in his last two years at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge, but never really built up enough recruiting hype to be considered a top 100 prospect. As a junior, he was a mere 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and 190 lb (86 kg), and when he officially committed to LSU, the school did not initially have a scholarship for him. One later opened up when a JUCO recruit was kicked off LSU's team and saw his scholarship offer rescinded. By senior year, Thomas had grown to 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m), 200 lb (91 kg). As a senior, Tyrus averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks per game, earning him all-second team honors in Louisiana.
As aredshirted freshman atLSU in 2005–06, Thomas was the team's startingpower forward, and because of his leaping ability, he developed a reputation as an outstanding shot blocker, rebounder and dunker. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in 32 games (22 starts) while shooting over 60% from the field. Thomas was also recognized as the NCAA Atlanta Region MVP in the NCAA Tournament after combining for 30 points against the likes of Duke and Texas.[1]
Thomas entered the2006 NCAA Tournament still recovering from a sprained ankle suffered in the February 26 game againstKentucky that caused him to miss the last two regular season games and the SEC Tournament. However, the injury did not hamper him as he continued the pattern of the regular season, his performances in the 2006 NCAA Tournament improved with every passing game as #4 seed LSU advanced to their firstFinal Four since 1986. His minutes were somewhat limited by the injury in the first-round game against No. 13 seedIona and the second-round game against No. 12 seedTexas A&M but he was back to form by LSU's Atlanta Regional semi-final (Sweet 16) matchup against perennial power and overall top seedDuke. In the Duke game, Thomas recorded 9 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks despite being limited to 25 minutes due to early foul trouble as LSU held Duke to a 27.7 percent field goal percentage and only 54 points, the school's lowest output since 1996. Thomas was even more dominant in the Regional Final (Elite Eight) win against No. 2 seedTexas, recording 21 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. These performances earned Thomas the Atlanta Regional's Most Valuable Player award.
On April 17, 2006, Thomas announced his intention to enter theNBA draft, and signed with an agent, removing his college eligibility. On June 28, 2006, Thomas was drafted fourth overall in the2006 NBA draft by thePortland Trail Blazers. He was later traded to theChicago Bulls for the second overall pick,LaMarcus Aldridge on draft night.
Thomas appeared in 72 games his rookie year, with four starts, and averaged 5.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 13.4 minutes per game. He participated in the Sprite Rising StarsSlam Dunk Contest, becoming the first Chicago Bulls representative sinceScottie Pippen entered the contest in 1990. He tied a season-high 11 rebounds, including the game-winning tip-in with 0.2 seconds to play againstDenver Nuggets on March 22. He then posted a career-high 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds against theCleveland Cavaliers on March 31. He subsequently earnedNBA All-Rookie second team honors.
Thomas appeared in 74 games his sophomore year, with 27 starts, and averaged 6.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. He posted 21 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in the second game of the season against thePhiladelphia 76ers and went on to finish the season very strong in April with a 24-point performance against theBoston Celtics, a 20-point, 14-rebound performance against theCleveland Cavaliers, and a 26-point performance in the season finale against theToronto Raptors.[2]
Thomas had a career-best season in 2008–09 as he averaged 10.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.9 blocks in 79 games (61 starts).
After what was a career-best season for Thomas in 2008–09, he managed just four games for the Bulls in 2009–10 before fracturing his forearm during practice on November 6, putting him out for four to six weeks. He returned to action on December 26 and came off the bench behind rookieTaj Gibson.[3]
On February 18, 2010, Thomas was traded to theCharlotte Bobcats in exchange forRonald Murray,Acie Law and a future first-round draft pick.[4]
On July 12, 2010, Thomas re-signed with the Bobcats to a five-year, $40 million deal.[5][6]
On January 25, 2012, in a loss to theWashington Wizards, Thomas recorded a career-high 9 blocked shots, one shy of the franchise record.[7]
On July 10, 2013, Thomas was waived by the Bobcats via theamnesty clause.[8]
On January 13, 2015, Thomas was acquired by theIowa Energy of theNBA Development League.[9]
On January 22, Thomas signed a 10-day contract with theMemphis Grizzlies.[10]
Following the expiration of his contract on February 1, Thomas was not offered a second 10-day contract by the Grizzlies[11] and subsequently returned to Iowa two days later.[12]
On September 4, 2015, Thomas signed a one-year deal withEisbären Bremerhaven of theBasketball Bundesliga.[13] On February 26, 2016, he parted ways with Bremerhaven after averaging 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in Bundesliga.[14]
| 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 |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | Chicago | 72 | 4 | 13.4 | .475 | .000 | .606 | 3.7 | .6 | .6 | 1.1 | 5.2 |
| 2007–08 | Chicago | 74 | 27 | 18.0 | .423 | .167 | .741 | 4.6 | 1.2 | .6 | 1.0 | 6.8 |
| 2008–09 | Chicago | 79 | 61 | 27.5 | .451 | .333 | .783 | 6.5 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 10.8 |
| 2009–10 | Chicago | 29 | 3 | 23.4 | .483 | .000 | .644 | 6.3 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 8.8 |
| 2009–10 | Charlotte | 25 | 0 | 21.7 | .442 | .000 | .729 | 6.1 | .9 | .9 | 1.5 | 10.1 |
| 2010–11 | Charlotte | 41 | 2 | 21.0 | .471 | .000 | .787 | 5.5 | .7 | .7 | 1.6 | 10.2 |
| 2011–12 | Charlotte | 54 | 30 | 18.8 | .367 | .333 | .759 | 3.7 | .6 | .7 | 1.1 | 5.6 |
| 2012–13 | Charlotte | 26 | 2 | 13.8 | .353 | .375 | .839 | 2.3 | .7 | .5 | .6 | 4.8 |
| 2014–15 | Memphis | 2 | 0 | 3.5 | 1.000 | — | 1.000 | .0 | .5 | .0 | .0 | 2.0 |
| Career | 402 | 129 | 19.7 | .438 | .235 | .732 | 4.8 | .9 | .8 | 1.3 | 7.7 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Chicago | 10 | 0 | 12.2 | .390 | — | .633 | 3.4 | .6 | 1.0 | .5 | 5.1 |
| 2009 | Chicago | 7 | 7 | 27.9 | .438 | .000 | .786 | 6.3 | .9 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 9.6 |
| 2010 | Charlotte | 4 | 0 | 17.0 | .625 | — | .833 | 5.5 | .5 | .5 | .5 | 8.8 |
| Career | 21 | 7 | 18.3 | .457 | .000 | .700 | 4.8 | .7 | .9 | 1.3 | 7.3 | |
Thomas is known for his extensivetattoo work. He was introduced to tattoos by his mother who brought him to a tattoo artist when he was in tenth grade.