{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1988)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Lance Thomas | image = Lance Thomas.jpg | caption = Thomas with the New York Knicks in 2017 | width = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|4|24}} | birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 8 | weight_lb = 225 | high_school = * Scotch Plains-Fanwood<br>(Scotch Plains, New Jersey) * St. Benedict's Prep<br>(Newark, New Jersey) | college = Duke (2006–2010) | league = | team = | number = | draft_year = 2010 | career_start = 2010 | career_end = 2025 | career_number = 42 | career_position = Power forward / small forward | years1 = 2010–2012 | team1 = Austin Toros | years2 = {{nbay|2011|start}}–{{nbay|2013|start}} | team2 = New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans | years3 = 2013–2014 | team3 = Foshan Dralions | years4 = {{nbay|2014|full=y}} | team4 = Oklahoma City Thunder | years5 = {{nbay|2014|end}}–{{nbay|2018|end}} | team5 = New York Knicks | years6 = {{nbay|2019|end}} | team6 = Brooklyn Nets | years7 = 2025 | team7 = Dorados de Chihuahua | highlights = * NBA D-League All-Star (2012) * NCAA champion (2010) * ACC All-Defensive Team (2010) * McDonald's All-American (2006) * Second-team ''Parade'' All-American (2006) | medal_templates = {{MedalCountry|{{flagu|United States}}}} {{MedalSport|Basketball}} {{MedalCompetition|Pan American Games}} {{MedalBronze|2011 Guadalajara | United States}} {{MedalCompetition|FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship}} {{MedalGold|2006 San Antonio | United States}} }} '''Lance Thomas''' (born April 24, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils where he started at power forward for the national champion 2010 team.
==High school career== Thomas attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey during his freshman and sophomore years. For his junior and senior years, he attended St. Benedict's Preparatory School. He led the school to two Prep A Division New Jersey State titles with a 56–3 record in his final two seasons while averaging 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game his senior year. In 2005, Thomas played at the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival where he helped the Blue Team win the silver medal with a 3–1 record.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141021132618/http://archive.usab.com/mens/men_alpha_T.html All-Time USA Basketball Men's Roster // T]</ref> Following his senior year, he played in the 2006 McDonald's All-American game.
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Thomas was listed as the No. 13 small forward and the No. 42 player in the nation in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/maple/26544 |title=Lance Thomas – Rivals.com |access-date=May 18, 2016 |archive-date=October 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026185310/https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/maple/26544 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
After committing to Duke University on April 5, 2006, Thomas played for the Under 18 national team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship where he helped USA win the gold medal.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110152/http://archive.usab.com/mens/u18/mu18_2006.html FIFTH FIBA AMERICAS U18 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MEN-- 2006]</ref>
===Recruiting=== {{College athlete recruit start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2008}} {{College athlete recruit entry | recruit = Lance Thomas | position = PF | hometown = Scotch Plains, NJ | highschool = Scotch Plains-Fanwood (NJ) | feet = 6 | inches = 8 | weight = 225 | 40 = | commitdate = April 5, 2006 | scout stars = 5 | rivals stars = 4 }} {{College athlete recruit end | 40 = | year = 2006 | rivals ref title = Duke Basketball Commitments | scout ref title = 2006 Duke Basketball Commits | espn ref title = ESPN | rivals school = duke | scout s = 4 | espn schoolid = 150 | scout overall = 6 (PF) | rivals overall = 42, 13 (F) | accessdate = | bball = yes }}
==College career== [[File:Craig Brackins vs Duke.jpg|thumb|Thomas guarding Craig Brackins of Iowa State.]] As a freshman, Thomas averaged 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, while shooting .568 from the field, in 31 games (18 starts).{{quote box |quote=""Best game offensively I've played in a Duke uniform. I feel like I've played better games for this team, not including having 21 points. I mean, my game is not defined by how many points I have. But if I can bring a mix of both, and it would be great."" |source=—Lance Thomas on his career high in points with 21 against Duquesne on November 28, 2008 |width=22em |align=left}}
As a sophomore, Thomas averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 18.5 minutes in 32 games (28 starts). He posted a .505 field goal percentage and recorded at least five rebounds 12 times, including eight of Duke's 16 ACC games.
Thomas' career high in points came on November 28, 2008, when he scored 21 against Duquesne. His new career high broke his previous record of 15 points set on November 20, 2006. Thomas' ability to finish shots was a big staple of his improvement. It was said of him, "If he gets the ball within three feet of the basket, chances are he's going to put the ball in the hoop — regardless of whether he's fouled."<ref name="wralsportsfan.com">[http://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke/story/4044738/ Thomas scores 21 as Duke pounds Duquesne]</ref>
As a junior, Thomas averaged 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting .626 from the field, in 37 games (16 starts). Thomas felt that the biggest difference between this year's Duke team and the ones from the last two years, was experience.<ref>[http://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke/video/4768365/ Extended Interview: Lance Thomas]</ref>
In his senior year, Thomas and All-American point guard Jon Scheyer were co-captains of Duke's team. In January 2010, Thomas had a career-high 12 rebounds against NC State. On February 10, the eighth-ranked Blue Devils held on for a 64–54 victory against rival North Carolina. However, Thomas suffered a severe bone bruise to his right knee early in the second half, forcing him to miss the next game against Maryland.<ref>[http://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke/story/7007923/ Duke's Thomas suffers bone bruise, to miss Maryland game]</ref>
Thomas helped Duke win the 2010 NCAA championship, their fourth since 1991.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/sports/ncaabasketball/06ncaa.html Duke Holds Off Butler to Win 4th N.C.A.A. Title]</ref> In the 2010 NCAA championship game, Duke faced Butler and star swingman Gordon Hayward. The Bulldogs had a chance to win with 3.6 seconds left, but Hayward missed a half-court shot, giving Duke a 61–59 win.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/2010-04-05/duke-ends-fairy-tale-run-butler-captures-4th-national-championship |title=Duke Ends Fairy Tale Run for Butler; Captures 4th National Championship |access-date=April 4, 2018 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202850/http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/2010-04-05/duke-ends-fairy-tale-run-butler-captures-4th-national-championship |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Thomas was named to the 2009–10 ACC All-Defensive Team for 2010 and finished his college basketball career ranked 10th on Duke's all-time list in offensive rebounds (255).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150919101340/http://archive.usab.com/mens/panamerican/11_mpag_thomas_feature.html Where Lance Thomas Goes, Success Follows]</ref> In 40 games (39 starts) as a senior, he averaged 4.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game.
==Professional career==
===Austin Toros (2010–2012)=== Between November 2010 and December 2011, Thomas played in the NBA Development League for the Austin Toros. On December 9, 2011, Thomas signed with the New Orleans Hornets for training camp.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=8737 |title=Hornets add nine players to training camp |access-date=May 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314231713/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=8737 |archive-date=March 14, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made the Hornets' roster for the start of the lockout-shortened 2011–12 NBA season, but he was later waived by the team on December 31.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2011/12/new_orleans_hornets_waive_f_la.html New Orleans Hornets waive F Lance Thomas]</ref>
On January 4, 2012, Thomas was reacquired by the Austin Toros.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/dleague/transactions_201112.html 2011-12 Transactions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031004037/http://www.nba.com/dleague/transactions_201112.html |date=October 31, 2013 }}</ref> He was later selected to play in the 2012 NBA Development League All-Star Game. In 65 games for Austin over two seasons, he averaged 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/nbdl/players/t/thomala01d.html Lance Thomas D-League Stats]</ref>
===New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2012–2013)=== thumb|Thomas with the Hornets on March 15, 2013. On February 6, 2012, Thomas was called up by the New Orleans Hornets, signing a 10-day contract with the team.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=9208 |title=Hornets sign forward Lance Thomas to 10-day contract |access-date=May 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315002024/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=9208 |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He later signed a second 10-day contract on February 16,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=9266 |title=Hornets sign Lance Thomas to second 10-day contract |access-date=May 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315021812/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=9266 |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a multi-year deal on February 27.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=9336 |title=Hornets sign Lance Thomas for rest of season |access-date=August 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315031916/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=9336 |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2012–13, Thomas played in 59 games for the Hornets, averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thomala01.html Lance Thomas NBA Stats]</ref> In April 2013, the Hornets were renamed the New Orleans Pelicans.
On July 10, 2013, Thomas was waived by the Pelicans.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-waive-thomas PELICANS WAIVE THOMAS]</ref> He later re-signed with the Pelicans on August 22,<ref>[http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-sign-lance-thomas-and-arinze-onuaku PELICANS SIGN LANCE THOMAS AND ARINZE ONUAKU]</ref> but he managed just five games for the team in 2013–14 before be was waived again on November 12.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-sign-amundson-and-childress PELICANS SIGN AMUNDSON AND CHILDRESS]</ref> In 106 games for New Orleans over three seasons, he averaged 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game.
===Foshan Dralions (2013–2014)=== On December 27, 2013, Thomas signed with the Foshan Dralions for the rest of the 2013–14 CBA season.<ref>[http://data.shamsports.com/content/pages/playerProfiles/profileDisplay.jsp?id=1344 ShamSports.com: Lance Thomas player profile]</ref> In 16 games for Foshan, he averaged 26.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
===Oklahoma City Thunder (2014–2015)=== On September 29, 2014, Thomas signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.<ref>[http://www.insidehoops.com/okc-thunder-training-camp-092914.shtml OKC Thunder training camp: Michael Jenkins, Richard Soloman, Lance Thomas, Talib Zanna added to roster]</ref> Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said of Thomas, "Lance is a hard worker. He's a player that can guard multiple positions. He gives you everything he has and that's what you want."<ref>[http://www.nba.com/thunder/trainingcamp_141025 Lance Thomas Makes Roster Thanks to Tenacity]</ref>
===New York Knicks (2015–2019)=== On January 5, 2015, Thomas was traded to the New York Knicks in a three-team, six-player trade that also involved the Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-part-three-team-trade Knicks Part of Three-Team Trade]</ref> He was waived by the Knicks two days later.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=17064 |title=Knicks waive Lou Amundson, Lance Thomas, Alex Kirk |access-date=January 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108083904/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=17064 |archive-date=January 8, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On January 10, Thomas returned to the Knicks on a 10-day contract.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=17077 |title=Knicks sign Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas to 10-day contracts |access-date=January 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110201942/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=17077 |archive-date=January 10, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He later signed a second 10-day contract on January 21,<ref>[http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-sign-lance-thomas-second-10-day-contract Knicks Sign Lance Thomas to Second 10-Day Contract]</ref> and a rest-of-season deal on January 31.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/knicks-sign-thomas-remainder-season Knicks Sign Thomas For Remainder Of Season]</ref>
On March 22, 2015, Thomas scored a career-high 24 points in a 106–89 loss to the Toronto Raptors.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20150322/NYKTOR/gameinfo.html DeRozan scores 23, Raptors rout Knicks 106-89]</ref>
On July 10, 2015, Thomas re-signed with the Knicks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/knicks/fa15/knicks-re-sign-lance-thomas|title=Knicks Re-Sign Lance Thomas|work=NBA.com|date=July 10, 2015|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref> On December 21, 2015, he tied his career high of 24 points in a 107–99 loss to the Orlando Magic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151221/ORLNYK/gameinfo.html|title=Vucevic scores 26, Magic snap Knicks' 4-game win streak|work=NBA.com|date=December 21, 2015|accessdate=December 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222142749/http://www.nba.com/games/20151221/ORLNYK/gameinfo.html|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On July 8, 2016, Thomas again re-signed with the Knicks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-re-sign-lance-thomas|title=Knicks Re-Sign Lance Thomas|work=NBA.com|date=July 8, 2016|accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref>
Prior to the start of the 2017–18 season, Thomas was named co-captain of the Knicks alongside Courtney Lee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dailyknicks.com/2017/12/07/new-york-knicks-courtney-lee-lance-thomas-team-captains/|title=New York Knicks: Courtney Lee, Lance Thomas voted team captains|work=dailyknicks.com|date=December 7, 2017|accessdate=January 15, 2018}}</ref>
On June 29, 2019, he was waived by the Knicks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lance Thomas: Waived by Knicks|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/lance-thomas-waived-by-knicks/|date=June 29, 2019|website=cbssports.com|accessdate=June 29, 2019}}</ref>
===Brooklyn Nets (2020)=== On September 27, 2019, Thomas signed with the Brooklyn Nets,<ref>{{cite web |title=Brooklyn Nets Sign Lance Thomas |url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2019/09/27/brooklyn-nets-sign-lance-thomas |website=NBA.com |accessdate=September 28, 2019 |date=September 27, 2019}}</ref> but was waived on October 18.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brooklyn Nets Waive Four |url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2019/10/18/brooklyn-nets-waive-four |website=NBA.com |accessdate=October 19, 2019 |date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> On July 14, 2020, the Nets signed Thomas as a substitute player.<ref>{{cite news |title=BROOKLYN NETS SIGN LANCE THOMAS |url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2020/07/14/brooklyn-nets-sign-lance-thomas |accessdate=July 14, 2020 |work=NBA.com |date=July 14, 2020}}</ref>
==National team career== In 2011, Thomas was a member of the US national team that won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games. A year later, Thomas was added to the 2012 USA Men's Select Team roster that trained against the 2012 USA Basketball Men's National Team during its July 6–12 training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/dleague/austin/former_toros_lance_thomas_add_2012_06_06.html USA Basketball Adds Two 2011 USA Pan American Games Players to 2012 USA Men’s Select Team Roster]</ref>
==Career statistics== {{NBA player statistics legend}}
===NBA===
====Regular season==== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2011}} | style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans | 42 || 10 || 15.0 || .452 || .000 || .839 || 3.0 || .3 || .2 || '''.2''' || 4.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2012}} | style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans | 59 || 9 || 10.9 || '''.500''' || – || .729 || 1.9 || .3 || .2 || .1 || 2.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2013}} | style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans | 5 || 0 || 8.4 || .222 || – || .500 || 1.4 || .6 || .0 || .0 || 1.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2014}} | style="text-align:left;"| Oklahoma City | 22 || 13 || 20.5 || .357 || .000 || .697 || '''3.4''' || .9 || .5 || .0 || 5.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2014}} | style="text-align:left;"| New York | 40 || 24 || '''26.0''' || .434 || .333 || .742 || 3.0 || '''1.2''' || '''.7''' || '''.2''' || '''8.3''' |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2015}} | style="text-align:left;"| New York | 59 || 5 || 22.3 || .442 || .404 || .857 || 2.2 || .9 || .4 || .1 || 8.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2016}} | style="text-align:left;"| New York | 46 || 15 || 21.0 || .398 || '''.447''' || .843 || 3.2 || .8 || .4 || .1 || 6.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2017}} | style="text-align:left;"| New York | '''73''' || '''31''' || 18.5 || .382 || .403 || .830 || 2.4 || .6 || .4 || '''.2''' || 4.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2018}} | style="text-align:left;"| New York | 46 || 17 || 17.0 || .396 || .278 || .750 || 2.5 || .6 || .4 || '''.2''' || 4.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2019}} | style="text-align:left;"| Brooklyn | 7 || 4 || 14.0 || .348 || .308 || '''1.000''' || 1.9 || .9 || .0 || .0 || 3.4 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 399 || 128 || 18.4 || .416 || .381 || .799 || 2.6 || .7 || .4 || .1 || 5.1 {{S-end}}
====Playoffs==== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;"|2020 | style="text-align:left;"|Brooklyn | 3 || 0 || 5.7 || .200 || .000 || .500 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .3 || 1.3 |- class="sortbottom" | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Career | 3 || 0 || 5.7 || .200 || .000 || .500 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .3 || 1.3 {{s-end}}
===College=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07 | style="text-align:left;"| Duke | 31 || 18 || 14.9 || .568 || – || .593 || 2.5 || .0 || .5 || .1 || 4.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08 | style="text-align:left;"| Duke | 32 || 28 || 18.5 || .505 || – || .521 || 3.3 || .3 || '''.6''' || '''.4''' || 4.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09 | style="text-align:left;"| Duke | 37 || 16 || 18.6 || '''.626''' || – || .553 || 3.6 || .5 || .5 || .3 || '''5.3''' |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10 | style="text-align:left;"| Duke | '''40''' || '''39''' || '''25.3''' || .439 || – || '''.743''' || '''4.9''' || '''.9''' || '''.6''' || .2 || 4.8 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 140 || 101 || 19.7 || .525 || – || .600 || 3.6 || .5 || .6 || .2 || 4.6 {{S-end}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|Sports|Biography}} {{basketballstats|nba=202498|bbr=t/thomala01}} *[http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=620663 Duke Blue Devils bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140528093853/http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=620663 |date=May 28, 2014 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20210901053853/https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens/t/thomas-lance.aspx USA Basketball bio]
{{2010 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball navbox}} {{United States Men Basketball Squad 2011 Pan American Games}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Lance}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:American expatriate basketball people in China Category:American men's basketball players Category:Austin Toros players Category:Basketball players at the 2011 Pan American Games Category:Basketball players from Brooklyn Category:Basketball players from Union County, New Jersey Category:Brooklyn Nets players Category:Duke Blue Devils men's basketball players Category:Guangzhou Loong Lions players Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans Category:Medalists at the 2011 Pan American Games Category:New Orleans Hornets players Category:New Orleans Pelicans players Category:New York Knicks players Category:Oklahoma City Thunder players Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in basketball Category:Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball) Category:Power forwards Category:Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School alumni Category:Small forwards Category:Sportspeople from Scotch Plains, New Jersey Category:St. Benedict's Preparatory School alumni Category:Undrafted NBA players Category:United States men's national basketball team players