Kenny Thomas (basketball)

Last updated

Kenny Thomas
Kenny Thomas 2006.jpg
Thomas in 2006
Personal information
Born (1977-07-25) July 25, 1977 (age 47)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school
College New Mexico (1995–1999)
NBA draft 1999: 1st round, 22nd overall pick
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career1999–2010
Position Power forward / center
Number21, 9
Career history
19992002 Houston Rockets
20022005 Philadelphia 76ers
20052010 Sacramento Kings
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Summer Universiade
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1997 Trapani Team competition

Kenneth Cornelius Thomas (born July 25, 1977) is an American retired professional basketball player who played eleven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Contents

High school career

He attended Austin High School, in El Paso, Texas, for three seasons before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico to play for Albuquerque High School during his senior season. Averaging 25.2 points and 16.9 rebounds each game, Thomas helped Albuquerque to a 22–3 record and Class 4A state title. Parade named him a boys' basketball All-American in 1995. [1]

College career

Thomas attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, one of the highest-profile recruits to ever attend the school. He is second on the Lobos' all-time scoring list (1,931 points), career blocks list (239), and career dunks list (114), and leads the school's lists in career rebounds (1,032), freshman scoring (484) and rebounding (256), and personal fouls for a season (118) and career (383). Thomas is one of eight Lobos to be selected as an All-American (1998). [1] Kenny led the Lobos to four consecutive NCAA Tournament first round wins. UNM was an amazing 71–3 in The PIT in Kenny's four years with the Lobos including 41 consecutive wins.

NBA career

The Houston Rockets selected Thomas as the 22nd pick in the 1999 NBA draft. He led his team in rebounds for the 1999–2000 season, making him one of only two rookies to do so. Thomas was consistently among the team leaders in rebounds and blocked shots before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2002–03 season. He was then named, The "K9".

Thomas was one of only eleven players to average a double-double for the 2003–04 season, and the shortest one at 6-foot, 7-inches.

On February 23, 2005, Thomas was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a deal that sent Chris Webber to Philadelphia. On February 18, 2010, the Kings released Thomas after the trade deadline. [2]

Thomas was invited to the Memphis Grizzlies 2010 pre-season camp, but was waived on October 11. [3]

After basketball

Personal life

After basketball Kenny became an entrepreneur and established multiple businesses where he has been under the mentorship of basketball great, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Currently, Kenny is the president and CEO of T3 Productions LLC, a versatile multi-faceted company that engages in various business ventures including, but not limited to television and film production, sports entertainment and management, real estate development, and the PPE industry. Given his tenure in the basketball industry from high school to college and 11 years in the NBA, Kenny is also a strong proponent in the push for name, image, and likeness availability and opportunities for college and pro athletes. As a University of New Mexico alum (“UNM”), Kenny enjoys rooting on their sports teams and is still recognized as one of the most celebrated athletes to ever play at UNM. He was known to attend Lobos Men's basketball games [4] He is an avid golfer and plays in many charitable and private tournaments throughout each year in New Mexico. Kenny has two children and currently resides in Albuquerque, NM.

Basketball tournaments and camps

Kenny hosts multiple basketball tournaments and camps throughout the year in both New Mexico and California. He is also a member of the AAU basketball circuit. [5]

Charitable work

Kenny is the founder of the Kenny Thomas Foundation dedicated to helping the community youth experiencing financial hardship by providing them with opportunities through higher education, college scholarships, and helping families in need of assistance move from poverty to self-sufficiency. He is also a member of several nonprofit boards including the ALS New Mexico Chapter board, the African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and The University of New Mexico Black Alumni Chapter. [5]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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
 * Led the league

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1999–00 Houston 722925.0.399.262.6606.11.6.8.38.3
2000–01 Houston 742124.6.443.272.7225.61.0.5.67.1
2001–02 Houston 727134.5.478.000.6647.21.91.2.914.1
2002–03 Houston 201429.3.432.000.7336.92.0.8.39.9
2002–03 Philadelphia 462830.3.482.000.7508.51.61.0.510.2
2003–04 Philadelphia 747236.5.469.200.75210.11.51.1.413.6
2004–05 Philadelphia 474328.6.456.250.7986.61.6.9.111.3
2004–05 Sacramento 261531.7.492.000.7228.72.91.0.414.5
2005–06 Sacramento 82*5528.0.505.000.6767.52.0.9.59.1
2006–07 Sacramento 625322.8.482.000.5136.11.2.7.35.3
2007–08 Sacramento 23312.2.421.000.0002.7.6.3.01.4
2008–09 Sacramento 807.8.375.000.0001.9.1.8.1.8
2009–10 Sacramento 26212.0.486.000.5833.3.6.4.41.6
Career63240627.4.465.244.6996.91.5.8.49.3

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2003 Philadelphia 121232.4.535.000.6559.3.9.7.410.6
2005 Sacramento 5530.6.511.000.7008.82.4.8.412.0
2006 Sacramento 6624.7.542.000.6924.51.3.8.05.8
Career232330.0.529.000.6778.01.3.7.39.7

References

  1. 1 2 "Kenny Thomas Career Biography". New Mexico Lobos. September 8, 1999. Archived from the original on January 10, 2001. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  2. Wojnarowski, Adrian (February 18, 2010). "Kings cut Thomas after trade deadline". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  3. "Transactions: 2010–11 Season". NBA. Archived from the original on March 9, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  4. Barker, Larry (July 13, 2017). ""Suite" Surprise: UNM reveals $432K uncollected fees from business, individuals".
  5. 1 2 "Kenny Thomas". Kenny Thomas.