Thomas signed one-year deal to play in Spanish League.
After an incredible showing for the L.A. Lakers in the Vegas Summer League, Matt Thomas is headed to play overseas.
Thomas, who was not offered one of two two-way contracts from the Lakers, signed a one-year contract with Obradoiro CAB in the Spanish League, according to the team’s website. Like the NBA, the team begins its season in October.
Thomas lit it up in his final three summer league games. His best game was his last, as the Lakers – without No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball – won the league title.
Thomas went 5-for-5 from beyond the arc in scoring 23 points – he had 12 at halftime and finished 8 of 9 from the field.
HIGHLIGHTS: Matt Thomas follows his strong semifinals performance by going 5-5 from deep with 23 total points in tonight’s win #LakersSummer pic.twitter.com/3hIWJs7QWQ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 18, 2017
In his final three games, Thomas scored 50 points, going 14-for-16 from beyond the arc.
In the Summer League quarterfinals, Thomas scored 17, going 3-for-4 from deep. In the semifinals, he was 6-for-7 and scored 20 points.
Thomas graduated from Onalaska High School in 2013.
He helped the Hilltoppers win a state title his junior year, scoring 30 points on 9-of-18 shooting. He was 4-for-7 from deep in that 55-38 win over Kaukauna back in March of 2012.
Thomas went on to start all four seasons at Iowa State University, where he had an impressive career (see below).
In his final home game for the Cyclones, Thomas tied a career high with 25 points. He also tied a career high with seven 3-pointers (going 7-for-11). And, for good measure, he tied a career high with five assists in that finale.
Upon graduating, Thomas did not get selected in the NBA draft. It was rumored he was going to sign a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors but, instead, he opted to play with the Lakers.
MATT THOMAS IOWA STATE HIGHLIGHTS
CAREER
-Third-most 3-pointers in school history (254)
-Second-longest streak for 3-pointer in consecutive games (30)
-Second in career wins (98) -Sixth-best career 3-pointer shooter (40.1%)
-Fifth-most 3-pointers made as senior (89)
-Ninth-best free-throw percentage in ISU history (81.5)
SINGLE SEASON
-Shot 44.5 percent behind the arc senior year, which was the eighth-best in school history