Tyrus Thomas
Encyclopedia
Tyrus Wayne Thomas is an American
professional basketball
player who played one season of college basketball
at Louisiana State University
and is a member of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats
.
freshman
and moved into the starting lineup as a power forward
. Because of his leaping ability, Thomas developed a reputation as an outstanding shot blocker, rebounder, and dunker during his time at LSU. Thomas was named SEC Freshman of the Year following a 2005–06 campaign in which he took the Tigers by storm by when he averaged 12.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in 26 minutes per game on over 60% shooting from the field. Thomas was also recognized as the NCAA Atlanta Region MVP in the NCAA Tournament after combining for 30 points against the likes of Duke
and Texas
.
still recovering from a sprained ankle suffered in the February 26 game against Kentucky
that caused him to miss the last two regular-season games and the SEC Tournament. However, the injury did not hamper him as he continued the pattern of the regular season, his performances in the 2006 NCAA Tournament improved with every passing game as #4 seed LSU advanced to their first Final Four
since 1986. His minutes were somewhat limited by the injury in the 1st round game against No. 13 seed Iona
and the 2nd round game against No. 12 seed Texas A&M
but he was back to form by LSU's Atlanta Regional Semifinal (Sweet 16) matchup against perennial power and overall top seed Duke
. In the Duke game, Thomas scored 9 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots despite being limited to 25 minutes due to early foul trouble as LSU held Duke to a 27.7 percent field goal percentage and only 54 points, the school's lowest output since 1996. Thomas was even more dominant in the Regional Final (Elite Eight) win against No. 2 seed Texas
, scoring 21 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking three shots. These performances earned Thomas the Atlanta Regional's Most Valuable Player award.
, and signed with an agent, removing his college eligibility. On June 28, 2006, Thomas was drafted fourth overall in the 2006 NBA Draft
by the Portland Trail Blazers
. Thomas was then traded along with forward Viktor Khryapa
to the Chicago Bulls
for forward-center LaMarcus Aldridge
, the second overall pick.
on March 22. He then posted 10 games of 10 points and had two double-doubles. He posted a career-high 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds versus Cleveland Cavaliers
on March 31.
It was announced on Feb. 5, 2007, that Thomas would participate in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest
. He would be the first Chicago Bulls representative since Scottie Pippen
entered the contest in 1990.
. Tyrus finished the season very strong in April with a 24 point performance versus Boston Celtics
, a 20 point, 14 rebound, 3 block performance versus Cleveland, and a 26 point performance in the season finale versus Toronto Raptors
.
. On February 18, 2010, he was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for Ronald "Flip" Murray
, Acie Law, and a future first round draft pick.
work. He was introduced to tattoos by his mother who brought him to a tattoo artist while he was in tenth grade. His first tattoo displays his name. Although he was a minor when he got his first tattoo and he is self-described as "very pro-tattoos," as an adult he has modified his stance to be "anti- kids and tattoos".
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Chicago
| 72 || 4 || 13.4 || .475 || .000 || .606 || 3.7 || .6 || .6 || 1.1 || 5.2
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Chicago
| 74 || 27 || 18.0 || .423 || .167 || .741 || 4.6 || 1.2 || .6 || 1.0 || 6.8
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Chicago
| 79 || 61 || 27.5 || .451 || .333 || .783 || 6.5 || 1.0 || 1.1 || 1.9 || 10.8
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Chicago
| 29 || 3 || 23.4 || .483 || .000 || .644 || 6.3 || 1.1 || 1.4 || 1.7 || 8.8
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 25 || 0 || 21.7 || .442 || .000 || .729 || 6.1 || .9 || .9 || 1.5 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 41 || 2 || 21.0 || .471 || .000 || .787 || 5.5 || .7 || .7 || 1.6 || 10.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 320 || 97 || 20.5 || .454 || .174 || .726 || 5.2 || .9 || .9 || 1.4 || 8.3
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Chicago
| 10 || 0 || 12.2 || .390 || .000 || .633 || 3.4 || .6 || 1.0 || .5 || 5.1
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Chicago
| 7 || 7 || 27.9 || .438 || .000 || .786 || 6.3 || .9 || 1.0 || 2.9 || 9.6
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 4 || 0 || 17.0 || .625 || .000 || .833 || 5.5 || .5 || .5 || .5 || 8.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 21 || 7 || 18.3 || .457 || .000 || .700 || 4.8 || .7 || .9 || 1.3 || 7.3
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who played one season of college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at Louisiana State University
LSU Tigers basketball
The Louisiana State Tigers basketball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I men's college basketball. The team is currently coached by Trent Johnson and has enjoyed recent success, including a Final Four run in the 2005–2006 season. Past coaches include John Brady, Press...
and is a member of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
.
High school career
In high school, Thomas was only 5-10 as a freshman. In high school, Thomas tried out for his varsity basketball team but was cut. He only played organized basketball in his junior and senior years at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge, but never really built up enough recruiting hype to be considered a top 100 prospect. As a junior he was a mere 6-6 and 190 pounds, and when he officially committed to LSU, they did not initially have a scholarship for him. One later opened up when a JUCO recruit was kicked off his team and his scholarship offer was rescinded. Thomas grew to 6-7 ½, 200 pounds as a high school senior, and averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks per game, good enough for the all-second team in Louisiana.College career
In the 2005–2006 season, Thomas was a redshirtRedshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
and moved into the starting lineup as a power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
. Because of his leaping ability, Thomas developed a reputation as an outstanding shot blocker, rebounder, and dunker during his time at LSU. Thomas was named SEC Freshman of the Year following a 2005–06 campaign in which he took the Tigers by storm by when he averaged 12.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in 26 minutes per game on over 60% shooting from the field. Thomas was also recognized as the NCAA Atlanta Region MVP in the NCAA Tournament after combining for 30 points against the likes of Duke
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
2006 NCAA Tournament
Thomas entered the 2006 NCAA Tournament2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2005–06 basketball season...
still recovering from a sprained ankle suffered in the February 26 game against Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
that caused him to miss the last two regular-season games and the SEC Tournament. However, the injury did not hamper him as he continued the pattern of the regular season, his performances in the 2006 NCAA Tournament improved with every passing game as #4 seed LSU advanced to their first Final Four
Final four
Final Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
since 1986. His minutes were somewhat limited by the injury in the 1st round game against No. 13 seed Iona
Iona College (New York)
Iona College is located in New Rochelle, New York, 20 miles north of Manhattan in suburban Westchester County. The college occupies 35 acres on North Ave. The college also operates a Graduate Center in Pearl River, Rockland County, New York....
and the 2nd round game against No. 12 seed Texas A&M
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
but he was back to form by LSU's Atlanta Regional Semifinal (Sweet 16) matchup against perennial power and overall top seed Duke
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
. In the Duke game, Thomas scored 9 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots despite being limited to 25 minutes due to early foul trouble as LSU held Duke to a 27.7 percent field goal percentage and only 54 points, the school's lowest output since 1996. Thomas was even more dominant in the Regional Final (Elite Eight) win against No. 2 seed Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, scoring 21 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking three shots. These performances earned Thomas the Atlanta Regional's Most Valuable Player award.
Chicago Bulls (2006-2010)
On April 17, 2006, Thomas announced his intention to enter the NBA DraftNBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
, and signed with an agent, removing his college eligibility. On June 28, 2006, Thomas was drafted fourth overall in the 2006 NBA Draft
2006 NBA Draft
The 2006 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2006 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players,...
by the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
. Thomas was then traded along with forward Viktor Khryapa
Viktor Khryapa
Viktor Vladimirovich Khryapa is a Russian professional basketball player.-Pro career:Khryapa played for Khimik Engels in 1999-00, and for Avtodor Saratov in 2000-02...
to the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
for forward-center LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Nurae Aldridge is an American professional basketball player with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. He is a , 240-pound power forward/center and is one of Portland's two team captains, with the other being Brandon Roy....
, the second overall pick.
2006–2007
Thomas appeared in 72 games his rookie year, with four starts, and averaged 5.2 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 1.06 blocks per game, 13.4 minutes per game, .475 field goal percentage, and a .606 free throw percentage. Thomas tied a season-high with 11 boards, including the game-winning tip-in with :00.2 seconds to play against Denver NuggetsDenver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
on March 22. He then posted 10 games of 10 points and had two double-doubles. He posted a career-high 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds versus Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
on March 31.
It was announced on Feb. 5, 2007, that Thomas would participate in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest
Slam Dunk Contest
The Slam Dunk Contest is an annual National Basketball Association competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend. The contest was inaugurated by the American Basketball Association at its All-Star Game in 1976 in Denver, the same year the slam dunk was legalized in the NCAA...
. He would be the first Chicago Bulls representative since Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
entered the contest in 1990.
2007–2008
Thomas appeared in 74 games his sophomore year, starting in 27 of them, and averaged 6.8 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, .97 blocks per game, 18.0 minutes per game, 42.3 field goal percentage and a 74.1 free throw percentage. Thomas posted 21 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in the second game of the season versus the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
. Tyrus finished the season very strong in April with a 24 point performance versus Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, a 20 point, 14 rebound, 3 block performance versus Cleveland, and a 26 point performance in the season finale versus Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
.
2009–2010
Thomas played in 4 games to start the 2009 season; however he fractured his forearm during workouts on November 6, putting him out for 4–6 weeks. Thomas was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Taj GibsonTaj Gibson
Taj Jami Gibson is a professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association . Following the 2010 signing of Carlos Boozer, he has played as the second string power forward...
. On February 18, 2010, he was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for Ronald "Flip" Murray
Ronald Murray
Ronald "Flip" Murray is an American professional basketball player, who currently plays for Efes Pilsen S.K. in Turkey. Murray is a , point guard–shooting guard. In the NBA he most recently played for the Chicago Bulls...
, Acie Law, and a future first round draft pick.
2010-2011
In the off-season, he became a restricted free agent as he was extended a qualifying offer. On July 12, 2010, he was re-signed by the Bobcats to a deal worth $ 40 million for 5 years.Personal information
Thomas is known for his extensive tattooTattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
work. He was introduced to tattoos by his mother who brought him to a tattoo artist while he was in tenth grade. His first tattoo displays his name. Although he was a minor when he got his first tattoo and he is self-described as "very pro-tattoos," as an adult he has modified his stance to be "anti- kids and tattoos".
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Chicago
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
| 72 || 4 || 13.4 || .475 || .000 || .606 || 3.7 || .6 || .6 || 1.1 || 5.2
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Chicago
| 74 || 27 || 18.0 || .423 || .167 || .741 || 4.6 || 1.2 || .6 || 1.0 || 6.8
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Chicago
| 79 || 61 || 27.5 || .451 || .333 || .783 || 6.5 || 1.0 || 1.1 || 1.9 || 10.8
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Chicago
| 29 || 3 || 23.4 || .483 || .000 || .644 || 6.3 || 1.1 || 1.4 || 1.7 || 8.8
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Charlotte
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
| 25 || 0 || 21.7 || .442 || .000 || .729 || 6.1 || .9 || .9 || 1.5 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 41 || 2 || 21.0 || .471 || .000 || .787 || 5.5 || .7 || .7 || 1.6 || 10.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 320 || 97 || 20.5 || .454 || .174 || .726 || 5.2 || .9 || .9 || 1.4 || 8.3
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2006–07
2007 NBA Playoffs
The 2007 NBA Playoffs was the postseason to the National Basketball Association's 2006–2007 season.There were four rounds of postseason action, all of them in a best-of-seven format, with teams seeded on a bracket. The team with the better record wasn't necessarily the basis of seeding teams in...
| align="left" | Chicago
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
| 10 || 0 || 12.2 || .390 || .000 || .633 || 3.4 || .6 || 1.0 || .5 || 5.1
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Chicago
| 7 || 7 || 27.9 || .438 || .000 || .786 || 6.3 || .9 || 1.0 || 2.9 || 9.6
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Charlotte
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
| 4 || 0 || 17.0 || .625 || .000 || .833 || 5.5 || .5 || .5 || .5 || 8.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 21 || 7 || 18.3 || .457 || .000 || .700 || 4.8 || .7 || .9 || 1.3 || 7.3
Career highs
- Points: 27 vs. Cleveland 03/31/07
- Rebounds: 16 vs. L.A. Lakers 03/21/09
- Assists: 5 4 times
- Steals: 6 vs. Detroit 01/11/10
- Blocks: 8 vs. Minnesota 01/03/09
Career highs/accomplishments
- Points: 27 on March 31, 2007 against the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
. - Rebounds: 16 on March 21, 2009 against the Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. - Blocks: 8 on January 3, 2009 against the Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota TimberwolvesThe Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
. - Steals: 5 on May 15, 2007 against the Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
- 2006–07 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
- NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Participant
- 2006 NCAA Atlanta Region Most Outstanding Player
- 2006 Freshman All-America Team
- 2006 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the year
- 2006 SEC Freshman of the Year
- NABC All Freshman 8 Second Team
- 2006 All-SEC Freshman Team