Dave Thomas (basketball)
{{short description|Canadian basketball player}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Dave Thomas
| image =
| position = Small forward / shooting guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 8+1/4
| weight_lb = 205
| nationality = Canadian
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|12|4}}
| birth_place = Brampton, Ontario
| high_school = Notre Dame (Brampton, Ontario)
| college = Michigan State (1996–2001)
| draft_year = 2001
| career_start = 2001
| career_end = 2009
| years1 = 2001–2002
| team1 = Canberra Cannons
| years2 = 2003–2008
| team2 = Melbourne Tigers
| years3 = 2008
| team3 = Cairns Taipans
| years4 = 2008–2009
| team4 = Melbourne Tigers
| highlights =
- 2× NBL champion (2006, 2008)
- All-NBL First Team (2007)
- All-NBL Second Team (2006)
- NCAA champion (2000)
}}
David Thomas (born December 4, 1976) is a Canadian former professional basketball player who played eight seasons in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for Michigan State University and has represented Canada in international competition.
High school and college career
Born in Brampton, Ontario, Thomas attended Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School where he averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists per game as a senior in 1995–96. He went on to play for Michigan State where he was a reserve on the Spartans' 2000 championship team. In four seasons, he averaged 3.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 114 career games, including 46 starts.[http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/david_thomas_4368.html David Thomas Bio]
Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2001 NBA draft, Thomas signed with the Canberra Cannons for the 2001–02 NBL season. In May 2002, he re-signed with the Cannons on a two-year deal. However, he left in December 2002 after the Cannons were forced into voluntary administration three months into the 2002–03 NBL season.[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/17/1039656390127.html Cannons fold after going broke]
On October 8, 2003, he signed a one-year deal with the Melbourne Tigers.[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/07/1065292590530.html Tigers sign tall Thomas][http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/09/1065676093477.html No doubt on Thomas] On January 27, 2004, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Tigers.[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/26/1075087954747.html Tigers sign 'insurance' man] In March 2006, he re-signed with the Tigers, and a year later, he was named to the 2007 All-NBL first team.[http://www.theage.com.au/news/basketball/two-tigers-in-allnbl-team/2007/03/09/1173166986371.html Two Tigers in All-NBL team]
In July 2008, he signed with the Cairns Taipans.[http://www.hoops.com.au/forum/16361-taipans-get-dave-thomas/ TAIPANS GET DAVE THOMAS][http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/basketball/taipans-are-not-doubting-thomas/story-e6frf3f3-1111117472316 Taipans are not doubting Thomas] On December 11, 2008, he was released by the Taipans because the club could no longer afford him, fellow import Larry Abney or head coach Alan Black. The Taipans did continue playing, however, only after the entire team agreed to a blanket 45 per cent pay cut for the rest of the season.{{cite web | last=Davis | first=Sam | url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/12/11/2444333.htm | title=Taipans to finish season but imports Abney and Thomas go | work=ABC.net.au | date=December 11, 2008 | accessdate=September 16, 2014}}{{cite web | last=Greenwood | first=Emma | url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/basketball/taipans-sack-coach-alan-black/story-e6frf3f3-1111118329078 | title=Cairns Taipans administrators sack head coach Alan Black | work=FoxSports.com | date=December 16, 2008 | accessdate=September 16, 2014}}
On December 29, 2008, he re-signed with the Melbourne Tigers for the rest of the 2008–09 NBL season.[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dts-back-at-the-expense-of-grizz/story-e6freuy9-1111118424863 Dave Thomas returns to the Melbourne Tigers][http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/12/30/returning-star-hoping-to-spark-tigers/ Returning star hoping to spark Tigers][http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/basketball/thomas-stars-in-passion-play/story-e6frf3f3-1111118665890 Dave Thomas brings the passion back to Melbourne Tigers]
On July 9, 2009, he signed a one-year deal with the New Zealand Breakers.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/2578919/Canadian-fills-Breakers-import-slot Canadian fills Breakers' import slot][http://www.basketball.org.nz/news/thomas-joins-breakers/ Thomas Joins Breakers] However, on August 3, 2009, he was forced to pull out of his one-year deal due to a recurrence of knee and back problems, which effectively ended his career.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/2715982/Rickert-re-signed-by-Breakers Rickert re-signed by Breakers]
Post-playing career
Since his retirement in 2009, Thomas has spent time as the host of the Spartan Fastbreak show on WLNS TV, was the owner and operator of Ever Green Car Wash & Detail in Lansing, and worked for Michigan State University Federal Credit Union as the Business Services Assistant Manager.[http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/070714aab.html David Thomas Named Director of Women's Basketball Operations and Technology]
On July 7, 2014, Thomas was hired by Michigan State women's basketball head coach, Suzy Merchant, as the program's Director of Basketball Operations and Technology. The following year, he moved over to the men's program and attained the same role under coach Tom Izzo.[http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2015/08/former_michigan_state_player_d.html Former Michigan State player David Thomas named new director of basketball operations]
Personal
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://basketball.australiabasket.com/player/Dave_Thomas/337270 Australiabasket.com profile]
- [http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/david_thomas_4368.html Michigan State Spartans bio]
- [http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190396126&client=0-189-12322-125696-369917 NBL stats]
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{{Melbourne Tigers 2005–06 NBL champions}}
{{Melbourne Tigers 2007–08 NBL champions}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Dave}}
Category:2002 FIBA World Championship players
Category:Cairns Taipans players
Category:Canadian expatriate basketball people in Australia
Category:Canadian expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:Canadian men's basketball players
Category:Canberra Cannons players
Category:Melbourne Tigers players