By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Isaiah Thomas said that he could be open to playing overseas for the first time in his career if nothing comes up from an NBA team. The two-time All-Star guard has been a free agent since last April when he was with the New Orleans Pelicans on a 10-day contract.
“The ultimate goal is to get back in the NBA. I just love playing the game of basketball. So, obviously at some point, if the NBA isn’t an option, I’ve got to look at options overseas,” Thomas said, per AP’s Tim Reynolds. “I love competing and I love playing.”
Thomas made these comments right after a 21-point performance in the 95 – 90 win of Team USA over Cuba on Day 1 of the FIBA 2023 World Cup Americas Qualifiers. The 32-year-old player also drained a crucial 3-pointer with 13.3 seconds remaining to seal the victory of his national team.
If Thomas doesn’t find a contract in the NBA and decides to take his game to Europe he will be one of the numerous former NBAers who debuted on the other side of the Atlantic this year. Former All-Rookie guard OJ Mayo has moved to Russia with Unics Kazan while Kenneth Faried joined powerhouse CSKA Moscow on a short-term deal. Donta Hall is having a notable season in France with AS Monaco where his former Orlando Magic teammate Dwayne Bacon is also playing.
Big man Jonathan Motley is putting on an MVP-caliber run in EuroCup with Russian side Lokomotiv Kuban while former 10th overall pick Thon Maker is with Basketball Champions League power Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel.
Photo: FIBA Basketball