FC Bayern Basketball announced another new signing on Tuesday. American Malcolm Thomas will transfer to the five-time German champions on a season-long deal with the option to extend by a further season. After a short spell in China last season, the 31-year-old moved to EuroLeague heavyweights Fenerbahce Istanbul before the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Thomas has also played for top teams Maccabi Tel Aviv and Khimki Moscow, in addition to 40 career games in the NBA. The 6’7” power forward can also feature as a centre.
“Malcolm is a veteran of the EuroLeague and he will help us with his experience, his basketball IQ and the athleticism he brings to the frontline,” said Bayern sporting director Daniele Baiesi. He added, “His height and his strong rebounding skills will allow our guards to be even more aggressive on offense.”
40 games in the NBA and a regular at Khimki Moscow
Thomas was able to make a name for himself during his two years with Khimki Moscow (2017-19; 64 games, 7.9 PPG, 5.0 RBG), reaching the EuroLeague playoffs in his debut season. His 40 career games in the NBA came for five different teams, with spells at the Spurs, Warriors, Bulls, Jazz and 76ers. Thomas excells in the paint, but is also a solid shooter from the perimeter. On defence, his agility makes him a variable and robust shotblocker.
“I’m highly motivated and am excited to take on the opportunity of playing for a team like Bayern,” said Thomas. “I know what the atmosphere is like in the Audi Dome and am looking forward to experiencing it again. We will work hard to have a successful season and are looking to achieve big things.”
Thomas’ career has taken him on a journey around the globe, with his first professional contract taking him to South Korea, following the NBA lockout in 2011. In the years that followed, Thomas was unable to firmly establish himself in the NBA, despite a series of trades, short-term contracts and being assigned to the NBA’s D League (now the G League). He signed his first European contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2012/13, before going on to play in Puerto Rico and making two stops in China.
Thomas averaged 12.5 points and 8.8 rebounds as a freshman at Pepperdine University. He followed up with a strong sophomore year at San Diego City College (21.1 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 3.9 BPG) and was named California Community College Athletic Association MVP in 2009. He then transferred to San Diego State as a junior where he played the next two years alongside future NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers). In 2011, the duo led the San Diego State Aztecs to the NCAA tournament Sweet 16, with Thomas recording impressive stats in rebounds and blocked shots. During Thomas’ debut NBA season, he was briefly reunited with Leonard at San Antonio.
Malcolm Thomas is the father of a nine-year-old daughter.
MALCOLM THOMAS
(Born: 8th November 1988, Columbia, Missouri, USA)
Power Forward/Center – 6'7" – 224 lbs.
Until 2007:
- Crawford High School, San Diego, California
2007 – 2011:
- Pepperdine University, San Diego City College & San Diego State University (NCAA)
Until Nov. 2011:
- Mobis Phoebus (KBL, South Korea)
2011 – 12:
- Los Angeles D-Fenders, Austin Toros & Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA D League)
- San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
2012 – 13:
- Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR)
- Los Angeles D-Fenders, Santa Cruz Warriors (NBA D League)
- Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls (NBA)
2013 – 14:
- Los Angeles D-Fenders, Austin Toros (NBA D League)
- San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz (NBA)
2014 – 15:
- Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
- Pirates de Quebradillas (Puerto Rico)
2015 – 16:
- Los Angeles D-Fenders (NBA D League)
2016 – 17:
- Jilin Northeast Tigers (CBA, China)
2017 – 19:
- BC Khimki Moskau (RUS)
2019:
- Shanxi Loongs (CBA)
Dec. 2019 - March 2020:
- Fenerbahce Istanbul (TUR)
Honours
- Co-MVP California Community College Athletic Association 2009 (NCAA)
- Pacific Coast Conference Player of the Year 2009 (NCAA)
- Second-Team All-Mountain West Conference (MWC) 2010 & 2011 (NCAA)
- All-Defense Team MWC 2011 (NCAA)
- NBA D League All-Star Game 2014
- Finalist VTB-League 2018 and 2019
- Turkish Cup winner 2020