By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Khyri Thomas signed a contract for the remainder of the 2021-22 season with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, the team announced Monday. The Israeli powerhouse was recently linked with the former Creighton standout.
Thomas, 25, introduced himself to the European stage playing in Spain’s ACB. After being signed to a short-term deal, he produced 23 points in Surne Bilbao’s Regular Season Round 13 loss against Bitci Baskonia before being slowed down by injury.
“We want to welcome Khyri Thomas to the family of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv,” said Maccabi head coach Giannis Sfairopoulos, “We brought him because we believe that he can help our game. He is a player that with his skills will be one more quality option for us, to continue our fights.”
The Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the 38th overall pick of the 2018 NBA draft. From there, he appeared in 42 NBA games split between the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets through three seasons. Career averages of 4.1 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per contest illustrate the current picture of his NBA career.
In addition, Thomas made his way to 19 G League games as a member of the Grand Rapids Drive and Austin Spurs. He generated 17.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game.
He previously spent three seasons at Creighton. Over 102 NCAA appearances, Thomas generated 11.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks per contest. The Bluejays were limited to a couple of First Round exits in the NCAA tournament.
After being named Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018, he forfeited his final season of eligibility and was drafted by the 76ers and traded to the Pistons. Two years later, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks and waived before returning to the NBA on a ten-day contract with the Rockets late in the 2020-21 Regular Season.
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