# Elijah Thomas
> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Elijah_Thomas
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Elijah_Thomas.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah_Thomas
> Source revision: 1345497054
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{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](/source/Clemson_Tigers_men's_basketball) in 2018
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|10|10}}
| birth_place = [Dallas, Texas](/source/Dallas%2C_Texas), U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 9
| weight_lbs = 245
| league = [Saudi Basketball League](/source/Saudi_Basketball_League)
| team = Al-Ittihad Jeddah
| position = [Power forward](/source/Power_forward) / [center](/source/Center_(basketball))
| number = 2
| high_school =
* [Prime Prep](/source/Prime_Prep_Academy) (Dallas, Texas)
* [Lancaster](/source/Lancaster_High_School_(Lancaster%2C_Texas)) ([Lancaster, Texas](/source/Lancaster%2C_Texas))
| college =
* [Texas A&M](/source/Texas_A%26M_Aggies_men's_basketball) (2015–2016)
* [Clemson](/source/Clemson_Tigers_men's_basketball) (2016–2019)
| draft_year = 2019
| career_start = 2020
| years1 = 2020
| team1 = [Larisa](/source/Larisa_B.C.)
| years2 = 2020
| team2 = [Steaua București](/source/CSA_Steaua_Bucure%C8%99ti_(basketball))
| years3 = 2021
| team3 = [Bnei Herzliya](/source/Bnei_Herzliya_Basket)
| years4 = 2021
| team4 = [Grises de Humacao](/source/Grises_de_Humacao)
| years5 = [2021](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_NBA_G_League_season)
| team5 = [Windy City Bulls](/source/Windy_City_Bulls)
| years6 = 2022
| team6 = [Taoyuan Leopards](/source/Taoyuan_Leopards)
| years7 = 2022
| team7 = [Titanes del Distrito Nacional](/source/Titanes_del_Distrito_Nacional)
| years8 = 2022
| team8 = [Gladiadores de Anzoátegui](/source/Gladiadores_de_Anzo%C3%A1tegui)
| years9 = 2022
| team9 = [Earthfriends Tokyo Z](/source/Earthfriends_Tokyo_Z)
| years10 = 2023
| team10 = [Kaohsiung Aquas](/source/Kaohsiung_Aquas)
| years11 = 2023
| team11 = [Pioneros de Los Mochis](/source/Pioneros_de_Los_Mochis)
| years12 = 2023
| team12 = [Final Gençlik](/source/Final_Gen%C3%A7lik)
| years13 = 2023
| team13 = [Wellington Saints](/source/Wellington_Saints)
| years14 = 2023
| team14 = [Sagesse Club](/source/Sagesse_SC_(basketball))
| years15 = 2024
| team15 = Çayırova Belediyesi
| years16 = 2024
| team16 = Nalaikh Bison
| years17 = 2024–2025
| team17 = [Al-Ahli Manama](/source/Al-Ahli_Club_(Manama))
| years18 = 2025
| team18 = [Beirut Club](/source/Beirut_Club)
| years19 = 2026–present
| team19 = [Al-Ittihad](/source/Al-Ittihad_Jeddah_(basketball))
| highlights =
* 2× [ACC](/source/Atlantic_Coast_Conference) All-Defensive Team (2018, 2019)
}}
'''Elijah Reshard Thomas''' (born October 10, 1996)[{{cite web |title=Elijah Reshard Thomas |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/wasl/23-24/westasia/player/Elijah-Reshard-Thomas |website=[FIBA](/source/FIBA) |access-date=December 26, 2023}}] is an American professional [basketball](/source/basketball) player for [Al-Ittihad](/source/Al-Ittihad_Jeddah_(basketball)) of the [Saudi Basketball League](/source/Saudi_Basketball_League). He played [college basketball](/source/college_basketball) for the [Texas A&M Aggies](/source/Texas_A%26M_Aggies_men's_basketball) and [Clemson Tigers](/source/Clemson_Tigers_men's_basketball).
==Early life==
Thomas grew up in [South Dallas](/source/South_Dallas) and befriended [Jordan Mickey](/source/Jordan_Mickey) in elementary school. When [Deion Sanders](/source/Deion_Sanders) opened [Prime Prep Academy](/source/Prime_Prep_Academy), both Mickey and Thomas decided to join.[{{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](/source/The_Times-Picayune) |date=August 10, 2014}}] Prior to his junior season, Thomas transferred to [Lancaster High School](/source/Lancaster_High_School_(Lancaster%2C_Texas)) in [Lancaster, Texas](/source/Lancaster%2C_Texas).[{{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](/source/Dallas_Morning_News) |date=February 27, 2014}}] In the final game of the regular season, he had 39 points and 20 rebounds as Lancaster defeated [MacArthur High School](/source/MacArthur_High_School_(Irving%2C_Texas)) 87–66.[{{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](/source/Dallas_Morning_News) |date=February 14, 2014}}] Thomas was named District 15-4A most valuable player as a junior.[{{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](/source/Fort_Worth_Star-Telegram) |date=March 15, 2014 |page=C6|via=Newspapers.com}}] As a senior, he helped the team win the Class 5A state championship and averaged 26 points and 14 rebounds per game.[{{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](/source/Dallas_Morning_News) |date=December 17, 2015}}][{{cite web |title=Tigers Add Elijah Thomas |url=https://clemsontigers.com/tigers-add-elijah-thomas/ |website=[Clemson Tigers](/source/Clemson_Tigers) |access-date=October 30, 2020 |date=January 7, 2016}}] Ranked the No. 29 recruit in his class according to ESPN, he committed to [Texas A&M](/source/Texas_A%26M_Aggies_men's_basketball), the first school to offer him a scholarship, on October 21, 2014. Thomas chose the Aggies over offers from [Illinois](/source/Illinois_Fighting_Illini_men's_basketball), [LSU](/source/LSU_Tigers_men's_basketball), [Oklahoma State](/source/Oklahoma_State_Cowboys_basketball) and [SMU](/source/SMU_Mustangs_men's_basketball).[{{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](/source/ESPN)}}]
==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](/source/Tyler_Davis_(basketball)).[{{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](/source/ESPN)}}] On January 6, 2016, he announced he was transferring to [Clemson](/source/Clemson_Tigers_men's_basketball) after taking visits to [Nebraska](/source/Nebraska_Cornhuskers_men's_basketball) and [Arizona](/source/Arizona_State_Sun_Devils_men's_basketball).[{{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](/source/ESPN)}}] As a sophomore, Thomas averaged 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.[{{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](/source/ESPN)}}] On November 24, 2017, he posted career highs of 26 points and 16 rebounds in an 84–77 victory over [Texas Southern](/source/Texas_Southern_Tigers_basketball).[{{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](/source/ESPN) |agency=[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press) |date=November 24, 2017}}] 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](/source/Atlantic_Coast_Conference) All-Defensive Team.[{{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}}] He had nine double-doubles and helped the Tigers reach to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1997.[{{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](/source/The_Greenville_News) |date=June 17, 2018}}] As a senior, Thomas averaged 13 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.[{{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}}] He was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team for the second straight season, as well as Honorable Mention All-ACC.[{{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}}] He was the seventh Clemson player to compile 900 points, 600 rebounds and 150 blocks.[{{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}}]
==Professional career==
After going undrafted in the [2019 NBA draft](/source/2019_NBA_draft), Thomas joined the [Charlotte Hornets](/source/Charlotte_Hornets) for [NBA Summer League](/source/2019_NBA_Summer_League).[{{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}}] On July 18, 2019, he signed his first professional contract with [Wonju DB Promy](/source/Wonju_DB_Promy) of the [Korean Basketball League](/source/Korean_Basketball_League).[{{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 }}] On October 3, he was replaced by [Chinanu Onuaku](/source/Chinanu_Onuaku) due to injury.[{{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}}] On January 12, 2020, Thomas signed with [Larisa](/source/Larisa_B.C.) of the [Greek Basket League](/source/Greek_Basket_League).[{{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}}] In five games, he averaged 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.[{{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}}]
Thomas started the 2020–21 season in Romania with [Steaua București](/source/CSA_Steaua_Bucure%C8%99ti_(basketball)).[{{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}}] In January 2021, after initially signing with [Kyiv-Basket](/source/Kyiv-Basket) of the [Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague](/source/Ukrainian_Basketball_SuperLeague),[{{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 }}] he joined [Bnei Herzliya](/source/Bnei_Herzliya) of the [Israeli Basketball Premier League](/source/Israeli_Basketball_Premier_League) for the rest of the season.[{{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}}]
In August and September 2021, Thomas had a four-game stint in Puerto Rico with [Grises de Humacao](/source/Grises_de_Humacao).[{{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}}] He was waived on December 25, 2021.[{{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}}] On February 18, 2022, he signed with [Taoyuan Leopards](/source/Taoyuan_Leopards) of the [T1 League](/source/T1_League) for the rest of the 2021–22 season.[{{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}}]
In July 2022, Thomas had a two-game stint with [Titanes del Distrito Nacional](/source/Titanes_del_Distrito_Nacional) in the Dominican Republic and a one-game stint with [Gladiadores de Anzoátegui](/source/Gladiadores_de_Anzo%C3%A1tegui) in Venezuela.[{{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}}]
In August 2022, Thomas signed with [Earthfriends Tokyo Z](/source/Earthfriends_Tokyo_Z).[{{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}}] In November 2022, his contract was terminated.[{{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}}] He returned to Taiwan in January 2023 and joined [Kaohsiung Aquas](/source/Kaohsiung_Aquas).[{{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}}] He was released from his contract in March.[{{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}}] After a one-game stint with Pioneros de Los Mochis in Mexico, he joined Turkish team [Final Gençlik](/source/Final_Gen%C3%A7lik) in April 2023.[{{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}}]
In November 2023, Thomas had a two-game stint with [Sagesse Club](/source/Sagesse_SC_(basketball)) of the [Lebanese Basketball League](/source/Lebanese_Basketball_League).