Malcolm Thomas played his college ball at San Diego State, averaging 21.1 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game after transferring from Pepperdine. Thomas declared for the 2009 NBA Draft but withdrew after one workout.
After his career at SDSU — the same school that NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard attended — Thomas would go on to be undrafted. During the lockout, Thomas signed a deal overseas and averaged 21 points, 11 boards, three blocks and three assists for Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League. Thomas was eventually released because the squad wanted a veteran player, but was picked up by the Lakers in December 2011. After making a few trips back-and-forth from the D-League and NBA, the Lakers waived Thomas and he was claimed by the D-Fenders.
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The next stop for Thomas would be in San Antonio, where Thomas would reunite with his SDSU teammate, Kawhi Leonard. However, the Spurs would eventually waive Thomas, who would sign back with the Los Angeles D-Fenders. The former Aztec would also sign with Houston before the season concluded.
For the next few years, Thomas would play more overseas ball, notably for a Euroleague superpower in Maccabi Tel Avi, the team of new Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt. This also included stops with the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls — as you can tell, Thomas has been around in the League.
Last season, Thomas had a stint with the Spurs, but was eventually waived and claimed by the Utah Jazz. He was later traded to the Cavaliers, who traded him to the Celtics, who waived him a few days after the trade.
I could probably write 1,000 words about all the transactions that have taken place in Thomas’ short NBA career. In all of those trips to the NBA, he’s seen minimal game action — a total of 135 minutes in 23 games throughout three seasons. However, this kid can freaking ball. The 76ers have finally signed someone who knows how to play the damn game of basketball. Let’s get into his game.