{{short description|American basketball player (born 1996)}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Elijah Thomas | image = Elijah Thomas Clemson 2 (cropped).jpg | image_size = 270px | caption = Thomas with Clemson in 2018 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|10|10}} | birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 9 | weight_lbs = 245 | league = Saudi Basketball League | team = Al-Ittihad Jeddah | position = Power forward / center | number = 2 | high_school = * Prime Prep (Dallas, Texas) * Lancaster (Lancaster, Texas) | college = * Texas A&M (2015–2016) * Clemson (2016–2019) | draft_year = 2019 | career_start = 2020 | years1 = 2020 | team1 = Larisa | years2 = 2020 | team2 = Steaua București | years3 = 2021 | team3 = Bnei Herzliya | years4 = 2021 | team4 = Grises de Humacao | years5 = 2021 | team5 = Windy City Bulls | years6 = 2022 | team6 = Taoyuan Leopards | years7 = 2022 | team7 = Titanes del Distrito Nacional | years8 = 2022 | team8 = Gladiadores de Anzoátegui | years9 = 2022 | team9 = Earthfriends Tokyo Z | years10 = 2023 | team10 = Kaohsiung Aquas | years11 = 2023 | team11 = Pioneros de Los Mochis | years12 = 2023 | team12 = Final Gençlik | years13 = 2023 | team13 = Wellington Saints | years14 = 2023 | team14 = Sagesse Club | years15 = 2024 | team15 = Çayırova Belediyesi | years16 = 2024 | team16 = Nalaikh Bison | years17 = 2024–2025 | team17 = Al-Ahli Manama | years18 = 2025 | team18 = Beirut Club | years19 = 2026–present | team19 = Al-Ittihad | highlights = * 2× ACC All-Defensive Team (2018, 2019) }} '''Elijah Reshard Thomas''' (born October 10, 1996)<ref>{{cite web |title=Elijah Reshard Thomas |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/wasl/23-24/westasia/player/Elijah-Reshard-Thomas |website=FIBA |access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> is an American professional basketball player for Al-Ittihad of the Saudi Basketball League. He played college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies and Clemson Tigers.
==Early life== Thomas grew up in South Dallas and befriended Jordan Mickey in elementary school. When Deion Sanders opened Prime Prep Academy, both Mickey and Thomas decided to join.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosetta |first=Randy |title=Strong bond with Mickey gives LSU a chance with Dallas-area big man Elijah Thomas |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/article_652dfb05-39f7-5d17-9c96-c3a2af937eca.html |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=The Times-Picayune |date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> Prior to his junior season, Thomas transferred to Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Texas.<ref>{{cite news |last=Murphree |first=Marcus |title=Elijah Thomas' 6-9 frame turned out to be missing puzzle piece for Lancaster's 2014 team |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2014/02/28/elijah-thomas-6-9-frame-turned-out-to-be-missing-puzzle-piece-for-lancaster-s-2014-team/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=Dallas Morning News |date=February 27, 2014}}</ref> In the final game of the regular season, he had 39 points and 20 rebounds as Lancaster defeated MacArthur High School 87–66.<ref>{{cite news |last=Holland |first=E.J. |title=5-star Lancaster big man Elijah Thomas talks monster game, recruiting |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/2014/02/16/5-star-lancaster-big-man-elijah-thomas-talks-monster-game-recruiting/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=Dallas Morning News |date=February 14, 2014}}</ref> Thomas was named District 15-4A most valuable player as a junior.<ref>{{cite news |title=Results, summaries, honors, polls, schedules |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62194605/fort-worth-star-telegram/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=March 15, 2014 |page=C6|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> As a senior, he helped the team win the Class 5A state championship and averaged 26 points and 14 rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wixon |first=Matt |title=Former Lancaster basketball star Elijah Thomas leaving Texas A&M; former Rockwall star Austin Grandstaff leaving Ohio State |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/high-school-sports/2015/12/17/former-lancaster-basketball-star-elijah-thomas-leaving-texas-am-former-rockwall-star-austin-grandstaff-leaving-ohio-state/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=Dallas Morning News |date=December 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tigers Add Elijah Thomas |url=https://clemsontigers.com/tigers-add-elijah-thomas/ |website=Clemson Tigers |access-date=October 30, 2020 |date=January 7, 2016}}</ref> Ranked the No. 29 recruit in his class according to ESPN, he committed to Texas A&M, the first school to offer him a scholarship, on October 21, 2014. Thomas chose the Aggies over offers from Illinois, LSU, Oklahoma State and SMU.<ref>{{cite news |last=Borzello |first=Jeff |date=October 24, 2014 |title=Texas A&M lands Elijah Thomas |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/11739908 |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=ESPN}}</ref>
==College career== Thomas averaged 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game as a freshman, but saw his minutes decline due to the emergence of Tyler Davis.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=Jeff |last2=Borzello |first2=Jeff |name-list-style=and |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Former top-50 recruit Elijah Thomas to transfer from Texas A&M |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14369859 |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=ESPN}}</ref> On January 6, 2016, he announced he was transferring to Clemson after taking visits to Nebraska and Arizona.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goodman |first=Jeff |date=January 6, 2016 |title=Elijah Thomas transferring from Texas A&M to Clemson |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14515063 |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=ESPN}}</ref> As a sophomore, Thomas averaged 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Patrick |date=November 9, 2017 |title=College Basketball Preview: Clemson Tigers |url=https://www.espncharlotte.net/college-basketball-preview-clemson-tigers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108212155/https://www.espncharlotte.net/college-basketball-preview-clemson-tigers/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=October 30, 2020 |website=ESPN}}</ref> On November 24, 2017, he posted career highs of 26 points and 16 rebounds in an 84–77 victory over Texas Southern.<ref>{{cite news |title=Clemson beats Texas Southern 84-77 behind Thomas, DeVoe |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400986314 |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=November 24, 2017}}</ref> He averaged 10.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game as a junior, shooting 56 percent from the floor. Thomas was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cook |first=Joe |title=Elijah Thomas To Return To Clemson Basketball |url=https://www.wltx.com/article/sports/ncaa/clemson-tigers/elijah-thomas-to-return-to-clemson-basketball/101-533706427 |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=WLTX |date=March 30, 2018}}</ref> He had nine double-doubles and helped the Tigers reach to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1997.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keepfer |first=Scott |title=Former Clemson standout Trevor Booker sees big things ahead for Elijah Thomas, Tigers |url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2018/06/17/former-clemson-star-trevor-booker-sees-big-future-elijah-thomas/697977002/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=The Greenville News |date=June 17, 2018}}</ref> As a senior, Thomas averaged 13 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yanity |first=Pete |title=Former Clemson big man Thomas to play in Korea |url=https://www.wspa.com/sports/former-clemson-big-man-thomas-to-play-in-korea/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=WSPA |date=July 18, 2019}}</ref> He was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team for the second straight season, as well as Honorable Mention All-ACC.<ref>{{cite news |title=Clemson's Reed Named to All-ACC Third Team; Thomas to All-Defensive Team |url=https://www.live5news.com/2019/03/11/clemsons-reed-named-all-acc-third-team-thomas-all-defensive-team/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |work=Live 5 News |date=March 11, 2019}}</ref> He was the seventh Clemson player to compile 900 points, 600 rebounds and 150 blocks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crumpton |first=Tony |title=Elijah Thomas signs internationally with DB Promy |url=https://www.tigernet.com/update/Elijah-Thomas-signs-internationally-with-DB-Promy-33278 |website=TigerNet.com |access-date=October 30, 2020 |date=July 18, 2019}}</ref>
==Professional career== After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Thomas joined the Charlotte Hornets for NBA Summer League.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Sanders |title=Elijah Thomas gets Summer League shot |url=https://clemsonsportstalk.com/s/3801/elijah-thomas-gets-summer-league-shot |website=Clemson Sports Talk |access-date=August 31, 2020 |date=June 22, 2019}}</ref> On July 18, 2019, he signed his first professional contract with Wonju DB Promy of the Korean Basketball League.<ref>{{cite news |last=Skerletic |first=Dario |title=Elijah Thomas signs with DB Promy |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/elijah-thomas-signs-with-db-promy/ |website=Sportando |access-date=August 31, 2020 |date=July 18, 2019 |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124090906/https://sportando.basketball/en/elijah-thomas-signs-with-db-promy/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On October 3, he was replaced by Chinanu Onuaku due to injury.<ref>{{cite web |title=프로농구 원주 DB, 새 외국인선수 오누아쿠 영입 |url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/10/03/2019100301259.html |website=조선일보 |access-date=December 7, 2024 |date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> On January 12, 2020, Thomas signed with Larisa of the Greek Basket League.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ο Elijah Thomas στην Λάρισα… |url=https://www.larissanet.gr/2020/01/12/o-elijah-thomas-stin-larisa/ |website=Larissanet |access-date=August 31, 2020 |language=el |date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> In five games, he averaged 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elijah Thomas International Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/elijah-thomas-1.html |website=Basketball Reference |access-date=August 31, 2020}}</ref>
Thomas started the 2020–21 season in Romania with Steaua București.<ref name=eurobasket>{{cite web |title=Elijah Thomas |url=https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Elijah-Thomas/332868 |website=eurobasket.com |access-date=June 22, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In January 2021, after initially signing with Kyiv-Basket of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/elijah-thomas-signs-with-bc-kyiv-basket/|title=Elijah Thomas signs with BC Kyiv-Basket|date=January 2, 2021|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=January 2, 2021 |last1=Lupo |first1=Nicola }}</ref> he joined Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League for the rest of the season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/bnei-herzliya-sign-elijah-thomas/|title=Bnei Herzliya sign Elijah Thomas|last=|first=|date=January 22, 2021|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref>
In August and September 2021, Thomas had a four-game stint in Puerto Rico with Grises de Humacao.<ref name="eurobasket"/>
In October 2021, Thomas joined the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League after a successful tryout.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Kyle |title=Windy City Bulls Announce Opening Night Roster |url=https://windycity.gleague.nba.com/news/windy-city-bulls-finalize-training-camp-roster-announce-basketball-operations-staff/ |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 7, 2021 |date=October 25, 2021}}</ref> He was waived on December 25, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/dleague/transactions/league/2022|title=2021-2022 G League Transactions|work=realgm.com|access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> On February 18, 2022, he signed with Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League for the rest of the 2021–22 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=雲豹再簽發展聯盟戰將 攜手戴維斯組建雙塔 |url=https://udn.com/news/story/7002/6106994 |accessdate=February 18, 2022 |work=United Daily News |date=February 18, 2022}}</ref>
In July 2022, Thomas had a two-game stint with Titanes del Distrito Nacional in the Dominican Republic and a one-game stint with Gladiadores de Anzoátegui in Venezuela.<ref name="eurobasket"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.liderendeportes.com/noticias/basketball/baloncesto-superliga/gladiadores-se-refuerza-con-elijah-thomas/|title=Gladiators is reinforced with Elijah Thomas|work=liderendeportes.com|date=July 14, 2022|access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref>
In August 2022, Thomas signed with Earthfriends Tokyo Z.<ref>{{cite web |title=イライジャ・トーマス選手 契約(新規)基本合意のお知らせ |url=https://eftokyo-z.jp/news/220811-01 |website=アースフレンズ東京Z |access-date=February 11, 2025 |date=August 11, 2022}}</ref> In November 2022, his contract was terminated.<ref>{{cite web |title=イライジャ・トーマス選手 契約解除のお知らせ |url=https://eftokyo-z.jp/news/221110-01 |website=アースフレンズ東京Z |access-date=February 11, 2025 |date=November 10, 2022}}</ref> He returned to Taiwan in January 2023 and joined Kaohsiung Aquas.<ref>{{cite news |title=海神簽上季效力雲豹的湯瑪斯 強化禁區戰力 |url=https://sports.ltn.com.tw/news/breakingnews/4188730 |accessdate=January 18, 2023 |work=Liberty Times Net |date=January 18, 2023}}</ref> He was released from his contract in March.<ref>{{cite news |title=考慮球隊磨合與定位 海神與外籍長人湯馬斯解約 |url=https://www.nownews.com/news/6073912 |accessdate=March 7, 2023 |work=NOWnews |date=March 7, 2023}}</ref> After a one-game stint with Pioneros de Los Mochis in Mexico, he joined Turkish team Final Gençlik in April 2023.<ref name="eurobasket"/>
On June 22, 2023, Thomas signed with the Wellington Saints for the rest of the 2023 New Zealand NBL season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saints.co.nz/news/article/wellington-saints-sign-elijah-thomas|title=Wellington Saints Sign Elijah Thomas|work=saints.co.nz|date=June 22, 2023|access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref>
In November 2023, Thomas had a two-game stint with Sagesse Club of the Lebanese Basketball League.<ref name="eurobasket"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://clemsontigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-thomas/ Clemson Tigers bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Elijah}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:American expatriate basketball people in Greece Category:American expatriate basketball people in Israel Category:American expatriate basketball people in Japan Category:American expatriate basketball people in Lebanon Category:American expatriate basketball people in Mexico Category:American expatriate basketball people in New Zealand Category:American expatriate basketball people in Romania Category:American expatriate basketball people in Taiwan Category:American expatriate basketball people in the Dominican Republic Category:American expatriate basketball people in Turkey Category:American expatriate basketball people in Venezuela Category:American men's basketball players Category:Basketball players from Dallas Category:Clemson Tigers men's basketball players Category:Earthfriends Tokyo Z players Category:Grises de Humacao players Category:Kaohsiung Aquas players Category:Larisa B.C. players Category:Power forwards Category:T1 League imports Category:Taoyuan Leopards players Category:Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball players Category:Wellington Saints players Category:Windy City Bulls players Category:Pioneros de Los Mochis players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Bnei Herzliya basketball players Category:Final Gençlik ve Spor Kulübü players Category:Sagesse SC (basketball) players Category:Gladiadores de Anzoátegui players Category:CSA Steaua București basketball players Category:Nalaikh Bison players Category:American expatriate basketball people in Mongolia Category:Çayırova Belediyesi players Category:Al-Ahli Club (Manama) basketball players