Matt Thomas (basketball)

An outstanding scorer, Thomas was considered one of the best shooters in the class of 2013 and one of the best players from Wisconsin. A consensus top-100 national recruit, Thomas was ranked No. 51 by ESPN, No. 54 by Rivals.com, and No. 58 by Scout.com in the final national rankings. [4] Being highly sought after Thomas eventually chose Iowa State over Virginia, Minnesota, Boston College and Marquette.[5]

Thomas began his true freshman campaign as a starter for Iowa State. He is only the 20th ISU freshman to start a season opener. He started in the first 15 games before being replaced in the starting line-up by Monte Morris. Despite becoming the 6th man, Thomas still appeared in all 36 games that season.[6] Over the season Thomas averaged 5.5 points, scored in double figures eight times, shot 33.6% from behind the arc. He made four three-pointers in games twice during the season. He made a three in 25 games with 44 three-pointers total, which is good enough for second-most by a Cyclone freshman.

Thomas spent two days in jail following his arrest for an OWI on July 14, 2014.[7] Thomas began his sophomore season serving a three-game suspension.<[8] Due to increased bench depth his sophomore season, Thomas saw a slightly diminished role. He saw action in 32 total games, scoring in double figures nine times. He was third on the team with 32 three-pointers made. Thomas grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and hit 5–6 shots to score 13 points against Alabama in the season opener.[9] He led the Cyclones in scoring for the first time in his career against Lamar, with 14 points.[10] He scored a career-high 17 points at Texas, included 4–6 from the three-point range.[11]

Due to the season-ending injury of Naz Long, Thomas moved back into the starting lineup.[12]

Thomas played for the Los Angeles Lakers 2017 summer league team. He scored 23 points on 8–9 shooting in the summer league title game to help the Lakers to a 110–98 victory.

On August 29, 2017, Thomas signed with Monbus Obradoiro of Spain's Liga ACB.[13] In his first professional game of his career, Thomas recorded 21 points in 4-for-5 shooting from three-point line as he helped Obradoiro win against Zaragoza.[14]

On July 11, 2018, Thomas signed a two-year deal with Valencia of Spain's Liga ACB.[15] He had an effective field goal percentage of 99 percent on catch-and-shoot attempts when unguarded, picking up the nickname Mr. 99%.[16][17]

On July 19, 2019, Thomas signed with the Toronto Raptors.[18] On October 26, 2019, Thomas made his NBA debut, scoring six points and grabbing three rebounds, in the Raptors 108–84 win over the Chicago Bulls.[19] On November 25, Thomas suffered a fractured finger on his left hand.[20][21] He returned to action on January 6, 2020, suiting up on a rehab assignment for the Raptors 905, the Raptors' NBA G League affiliate.[22] On January 7, Thomas returned to the Raptors lineup recording eight points and a career-high six rebounds in the Raptors' 101–99 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.[23] On February 8, Thomas scored a career-high 15 points in a 119–118 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[24] On February 23, Thomas bested his career high with 17 points and five 3-pointers in a 127–81 victory against the Indiana Pacers.[25][26] In the Raptors’ sixth game returning from the suspension of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on August 10, Thomas scored a career-high 22 points, hitting 4 three-pointers, in a 114–106 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the Orlando bubble. [27]

On March 25, 2021, the Raptors traded Thomas to the Utah Jazz for a future second-round draft pick.[28] On April 28, Thomas scored a season-high 17 points on 7-of-7 shooting from the field and 1-of-1 from the three in a 154–105 win over the Sacramento Kings.[29] On August 1, he was waived by the Jazz.[30]

On September 8, 2021, Thomas signed with the Chicago Bulls.[31] With 13 players out of the lineup due to COVID-19 protocols in December, Thomas saw increased playing time. On December 26, he played 19 minutes, scoring five points, in a 113–105 victory over the Indiana Pacers.[32] The following day, he made three critical 3-pointers in 19 minutes on the floor in a 130–118 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.[33]

On January 31, 2023, Thomas made his return to Europe for Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague, signing a contract through 2024, with the second season being a team option. In 10 EuroLeague games (5 starts), he averaged 8.1 points and 2 rebounds (shooting with 40% from the 3-point line) in 18 minutes per contest. Thomas appeared in only one game in domestic competition due to the Greek league's restrictions on foreign players. On July 15, 2023, Panathinaikos opted out of their mutual contract and Thomas became a free agent.

On August 7, 2023, Thomas signed a one-year contract with German club Alba Berlin. The deal reportedly included a buy-out clause for EuroLeague clubs.