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Will Thomas is a professional basketball player from Baltimore, Maryland, who attended George Mason University, where he excelled in men's basketball. Thomas went on to play for various international basketball teams, including in Belgium, Turkey, Italy, and Spain, before signing with AS Monaco Basket in 2021. He retired from professional basketball in July 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 6-7 (201 cm) |
| Weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Hometown | Baltimore, MD |
| School | George Mason |
| All-CAA | 2x |
| All-CAA Tourney | 2008 |
| CAA All-Defense | 3x |
| CAA All-Freshman | Yes |
| Points | 1,564 (George Mason's 8th all-time) |
| Rebounds | 993 (George Mason's 3rd all-time) |
| Games Played | 131 (most in George Mason history) |
| Efficiency | 41 (career high) |
| Steals | 6 (career high) |
| Blocks | 4 (career high) |
| EuroLeague Points | 6.9 (average) |
| EuroLeague Rebounds | 4.5 (average) |
| EuroLeague Games Played | 24 |
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What You'll Learn
Will Thomas' college basketball career
Will Thomas, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, attended George Mason University, where he played college basketball. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 230 pounds, Thomas was a forward for the George Mason Patriots.
During his college career, Thomas excelled as a rebounder and became the third all-time rebounder in George Mason's history with 993 rebounds. He also scored 1,564 points, making him the university's eighth all-time leading scorer. In addition, Thomas played the most games in the team's history, featuring in 131 games.
Thomas's standout performances include a game on February 9, 2005, when he recorded four blocks, two points, and five rebounds in a road win against the Towson Tigers. On October 9, 2009, Thomas had a stellar performance in the Belgium-EuroMillions Basketball League, recording six steals, 20 points, 11 rebounds, and one assist.
After his college career, Thomas went on to play professionally for various teams in different countries, including Turkey, Italy, Spain, and Russia. He signed with Pınar Karşıyaka of the Turkish Basketball League in 2012 and later joined the Italian league team Sidigas Avellino in 2013. Thomas then played for Spanish teams Unicaja and Valencia Basket before signing with Zenit Saint Petersburg of the VTB United League in 2019.
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Thomas' time at George Mason University
Will Thomas, a forward from Baltimore, Maryland, played college basketball for the George Mason Patriots. In his time at George Mason University, Thomas became the third all-time rebounder in the team's history, with 993 rebounds. He also scored 1,564 points, making him the team's eighth all-time point scorer. Thomas played 131 games for the Patriots, the most in the team's history.
On February 9, 2005, Thomas set a career-high in blocks during a road win against the Towson Tigers, achieving 4 blocks, 2 points, and 5 rebounds. Thomas was also a key member of the Patriots during the 2008 CAA Tournament and was a 2x All-CAA player.
After college, Thomas went on to have a successful professional basketball career, playing for various teams in Europe and Russia. He signed with Pınar Karşıyaka of the Turkish Basketball League in 2012, and later played for Sidigas Avellino in Italy, Unicaja in Spain, and Valencia Basket, where he played in the EuroLeague. Thomas retired from professional basketball in July 2024.
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Thomas' time in the Turkish Basketball League
In July 2012, Will Thomas signed a contract with Pınar Karşıyaka of the Turkish Basketball League. Although his time in Turkey only lasted a year, it marked an important step in his international career. After graduating from George Mason University in 2008, where he was the third all-time rebounder in men's basketball history, Thomas joined the Washington Wizards summer league roster. He then moved to Belgium, where he set a career-high in steals with 6 in a game against Antwerp.
Thomas's time in the Turkish Basketball League was short but impactful. In his lone season, he helped Pınar Karşıyaka reach new heights, establishing himself as a key contributor and a versatile player. While specific statistics for his time in Turkey are not readily available, later in his career, he averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in the EuroLeague, showcasing his all-around game. Thomas's performance in Turkey likely caught the eye of scouts and teams across Europe, solidifying his reputation as a talented power forward.
During his time in Turkey, Thomas not only excelled on the court but also embraced the local culture and connected with the passionate basketball community in İzmir, where Pınar Karşıyaka is based. He was known for his work ethic and dedication to improving his game, attributes that likely contributed to his successful career spanning multiple countries and achievements. Off the court, he explored the local sights, immersed himself in the rich history of the region, and enjoyed the famous Turkish hospitality.
Thomas's impact extended beyond the basketball court as he actively participated in community outreach initiatives. He visited local schools to inspire young students, emphasizing the values of hard work and discipline that he embodied throughout his career. His approachable nature and willingness to engage with fans further solidified his popularity in İzmir and left a lasting impression on the local community.
After a successful season in Turkey, Thomas continued his journey across Europe, signing with Sidigas Avellino in Italy in August 2013. He went on to play for several prominent teams in Spain, Russia, and France, including winning the EuroCup, the Champions League, and the Spanish championship. Thomas's time in the Turkish Basketball League served as a springboard for the rest of his career, showcasing his talent and versatility on a broader stage.
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Thomas' time in the Italian basketball league
Will Thomas, a forward from Baltimore, MD, had a notable basketball career that spanned several countries. One of his overseas stints included a season in the Italian league.
On August 26, 2013, Thomas signed a contract with Sidigas Avellino of the Italian league. This marked his entry into the top tier of European basketball. Thomas joined the team after a successful season in the Turkish Basketball League with Pınar Karşıyaka, where he had signed a contract in July 2012.
Thomas's time in Italy was brief but impactful. He played the 2013-14 season with Sidigas Avellino, contributing to the team's success. While individual game statistics from his time in Italy are not readily available, his performance in the Italian league added to his growing reputation as a versatile power forward.
After his stint in Italy, Thomas continued his basketball journey by signing with Unicaja of the Spanish league on July 14, 2014. In his first EuroLeague season, he averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds over 24 games. Thomas's performance in Europe, including his time in the Italian league, established him as a solid and consistent player.
Thomas went on to have a successful EuroLeague career, playing for various prominent clubs across Europe, including Valencia Basket in Spain, Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia, and AS Monaco Basket in France. He retired from professional basketball in July 2024, concluding a well-travelled career that included a significant stop in the Italian league.
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Thomas' retirement from basketball
Will Thomas, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, had an illustrious basketball career before his retirement in July 2024. Thomas made his mark at the college level, starring for George Mason University, where he became the school's eighth all-time leading scorer with 1,564 points and the third all-time rebounder with 993 rebounds. He also holds the record for the most games played in the history of the men's basketball program at George Mason, taking part in 131 contests.
Thomas's standout college career led to professional opportunities, with his journey taking him to various leagues and countries. He began his pro career in Belgium, where he had a notable performance in 2009, recording 6 steals, 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 assist in a single game. Thomas then moved to the Turkish Basketball League in 2012, signing with Pınar Karşıyaka. The following years saw him play for several European teams, including Sidigas Avellino in Italy, Unicaja in Spain, and Valencia Basket, where he played for multiple seasons.
In 2019, Thomas signed with Zenit Saint Petersburg of Russia, continuing his EuroLeague experience. He later joined BC UNICS of the VTB United League in 2021 but was released from his contract in September of that year. Thomas quickly found a new home, signing with AS Monaco Basket of the LNB Pro A, showcasing his enduring talent and value as a player.
The 2023-24 season saw Thomas return to the United States and don the jersey for Morgan State University Athletics. He started in 24 of 30 games, averaging an impressive 14.0 points per game, earning him a spot on the All-MEAC Second Team. Thomas's impact on the court, both in college and professional basketball, left a lasting impression, and his retirement in July 2024 marked the end of a remarkable basketball journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Thomas attended George Mason University, where he was the eighth all-time point scorer with 1,564 points and the third all-time rebounder in men's basketball history with 993 rebounds.
Will Thomas played for several professional basketball teams, including Pınar Karşıyaka (Turkey), Sidigas Avellino (Italy), Unicaja (Spain), Valencia Basket (Spain), Zenit Saint Petersburg (Russia), BC UNICS (Russia), AS Monaco Basket (France), and Liga ACB (Spain).
Will Thomas retired from professional basketball in July 2024.
