Brooklyn Nets Guard Cam Thomas Sets New NBA Record

From Japan to Virginia to Brooklyn

Thomas was born in Japan, where his American mother, Leslie, was living. She grew fond of Asia while stationed overseas during her stint in the US Army. She eventually returned stateside to Virginia, where she grew up, to raise Thomas and his older sister.

Thomas flourished as a star athlete in Chesapeake. He enrolled at Oak Hill Academy, a basketball powerhouse in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, for his junior and senior years. Thomas was teammates with Cole Anthony, who s currently the point guard for the Orlando Magic.

Thomas averaged 31.5 points per game in his senior season and set the record for most career points in Oak Hill school history. That s an impressive record, considering how many future NBA players played ball at Oak Hill, including Rod Strickland, Jerry Stackhouse, Kevin Durant, Stephen Jackson, Rajon Rondo, and Carmelo Anthony.

LSU offered Thomas a scholarship and he headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to play his collegiate ball. He led all freshmen in the NCAA in scoring by averaging 23.1 points per game. After a one-and-done season with LSU, Thomas declared for the 2021 NBA Draft.

The Brooklyn Nets selected Thomas with the #27 pick late in the first round. He averaged 8.5 points per game during his rookie season with the Nets. He had a couple of impressive games last season, but he struggled from 3-point range with a 27% success rate.

Thomas Flourishing After Kyrie Irving Trade

Thomas sought to improve his 3-point shot in the off-season, and the hard work paid off. He s shooting 42.7% from 3-point range this season.

During his first 33 games this season, Thomas averaged 7.0 points per game off the bench, but some nights he only played a couple of minutes. He saw a huge boost in playing time just before and after the Nets traded point guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.

Irving sat out Saturday s game against the Washington Wizards after he requested a trade on Friday. Thomas erupted for 44 points, five rebounds, and five assists in just 29 minutes off the bench against the Wizards. He shot 16-for-23 from the floor, including 4-for-5 from 3-point range.

On Monday, Thomas scored a career-high 47 points against the Los Angeles Clippers. He knocked down 7-for-11 from 3-point range and shot 10-for-11 from the free-throw line.

On Tuesday, Thomas dropped 43 against the Suns as a starter.

Obviously I d rather have the win, but it s just good to have my name in history, said Thomas.

Cam has been hot, Jacque Vaughn. He has definitely opened a lot of eyes. That kid is on a heater.

Thomas connected on only three treys against the Suns and earned the bulk of his game-high 43 points the old-fashioned way at the charity stripe. He shot 18-for-20 from the free-throw line.

Thomas technically scored 43-plus points in three consecutive games, and he s now averaging 38.3 points per game in February. He s also shooting 89% from the free-throw line and 48.4% from beyond the arc.