Isiah Thomas
(Born 1961)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2000
Card Shown:
2014-15 Panini Select
Fame Game
Position: PG
Height: 6’1″
bb
bb
Isiah Thomas, also known as “Zeke” and “The Baby-Faced Assassin,” was one of the best point guards to ever play the game of basketball. Despite his calm demeanor and huge smile, Isiah was a fierce competitor on the court. At only 6’1″, Thomas had the ability to weave through much bigger players and score at the rim. He averaged nearly 20 points per game throughout his NBA career and finished in the top ten is assists per game in eleven of his thirteen seasons in the NBA. Isiah served as the president of the NBA Players Association during his time in the league. After he retired, Thomas coached the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. He later served as an executive for the Toronto Raptors.
Awards and Honors
- As a sophomore playing for legendary coach Bobby Knight, Thomas led the Indiana Hoosiers to the 1981 NCAA Championship. Indiana defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels, featuring James Worthy, Sam Perkins, and Al Wood, 63-50 in the final game. Thomas averaged 16.0 points and 5.8 assists per game during that championship season.
- Isiah played in twelve consecutive NBA All-Star games from 1982 through 1993. He was selected the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in both 1984 and 1986.
- Thomas led the Detroit Pistons (the “Bad Boys”) to two consecutive NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990. In 1990, Isiah was named the Finals MVP. Those star-studded Piston teams, led by Isiah, included Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, Mark Aguirre, and Vinnie Johnson.
- Thomas made the NBA All-Rookie Team, was selected All-NBA First Team three times and All-NBA Second Team twice.
- Isiah was selected to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team but never had the opportunity to play for Team USA. The United States boycotted the games in response to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
Points of Interest
- Following Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and John Stockton, Isiah became the fourth player in NBA history to register over 9,000 assists during his career. In 1984-85, Thomas set the single-season assist record with 13.9 assists per game. He held that record until 1989-90 when Stockton surpassed it with a new record 14.5 assists per game.
- Isiah won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1987. Presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writer Association, the award recognizes a player, coach, or trainer who exhibits outstanding service to others.
- Thomas played his entire thirteen-year career with the Detroit Pistons, finishing with averages of 19.2 points, 9.3 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game.
- In 1996, Isiah was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
- Thomas funded the college education of more than 75 students during his playing career. He later told the LA Times, “As a person and as a human being, if the only thing I’m remembered for is playing a stupid game of basketball, then I haven’t done a very good job in my life. Basketball isn’t everything to me.”
Statistics
Isiah Thomas Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com
Personal Autograph Interaction
We met Isiah Thomas during the 2020 Hall of Fame Induction weekend at the Awards Gala dinner. Once everyone had finished eating, the players and fans were free to move about the large ballroom. Isiah signed my 2012-13 Panini Signatures Legends card numbered 2/5. He also took a picture with Josh although I wish we would have removed his Covid mask for the photo. It was a pleasure meeting one of the top point guards in NBA history.
Thank you, Isiah!
In-Person Autograph Photos
In 2021, Isiah took a picture with Joshua at the Awards Gala dinner where he also signed my 2012-13 Panini Signatures Legends card.