Isiah Thomas Bio | Wiki
Isiah Thomas (Full name: Isiah Lord Thomas III) is an American former professional basketball player and coach presently working for NBA TV as an analyst. He has been a part of the network since joining the network on December 19, 2012.
Additionally, he is a regular panelist on Players Only a Monday coverage that airs on NBA on TNT. The show is only hosted by former NBA players. He played for the Detroit Pistons from 1981 to 1994, before venturing as a basketball coach.
Isiah Thomas Age | Birthday
He was born on April 30, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States of America. Isiah is 61 years old and celebrates his birthday on April 30.
Isiah Thomas Height
He is above average stature. Isiah stands at a height of 6 ft 1 in (approx. 1.85 m).
Isiah Thomas Father
His father was an army veteran, unfortunately, his career ended after he was wounded during the Battle of Saipan. Later on, he attended trade school and received a job at the International Harvester in Chicago, therefore, becoming the first black supervisor at the plant.
The plant later closed leading to his unemployment. After searching for a job for a very long time the only job available was working as a janitor. With little pay from his work, the family faced hardship leading to Isiah II’s departure and leaving his family.
Isiah Thomas Mother
He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois under a single parenthood family of her loving mother Mary. Isiah grew up in a large family of ten alongside his eight older siblings six boys and two girls. He holds an American nationality by birth but belongs to the white ethnicity. Isiah and his siblings were raised in a Catholic home.
Isiah Thomas Wife
He is a loving husband to his beautiful wife Lynn Kendall. Lynn’s parents work as a nurse and Secret Service agents. The duo has been living under the same roof since they were wedded in 1985 at Our Lady of Sorrows. The adorable couple met at Indiana University back in the 1980s.
Isiah Thomas Sons | Sons
He is a proud father of three children. Isiah and his current wife share a son named Joshua born in 1988 and a daughter named Lauren in 1991. He welcomed his firstborn son named Marc Dones born in 1986 from an earlier un affair.
Isiah Thomas Overdose
On October 24, 2008, Isiah was rushed to White Plains Hospital Center after he accidentally took an overdose of sleeping medication known as Lunesta. After recovery, he had an interview with ESPN where he explained that the reason for maintaining a low profile during his hospitalization was for his family well being.
Isiah Thomas Education
Growing up in Illinois Isiah attended Our Lady of Sorrows School and St. Joseph High School in Westchester, where he played basketball under coach Gene Pingatore. Isiah later enrolled at Indiana University and received his B.A. in 1987
Isiah Thomas Indiana University
While studying at Indiana University Isiah played for the Indiana Hoosiers, where he soon become Bob Knight’s and the Indiana fans’ favorite. In his Sophomore year during the 1980-81 season, Isiah was made captain of the Indiana Hoosier. At the end of the season, they were announced as the 1981 NCAA tournament. Isiah was awarded the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.
Isiah Thomas Pistons
He kicked off his career as a professional basketball player in 1981 when he was drafted second overall by the Detroit Pistons. He signed a four-year contract worth $1.6 million. During the 1984 NBA playoffs, Isiah played against Bernard King and the New York Knicks, where he was fouled out and the New York Knicks won.
During the 1985 NBA playoff, the Pistons played against the 15-time NBA champion Boston Celtics. After an intense game, Isiah and his team eventually lost. During the 1987 NBA playoffs, the Piston faced the Celtics again but this time they tied at two games. However, their hope was dashed by Larry Bird. A year later they played against the Celtics and this time they won therefore qualifying for the finals after 32 years.
Isiah Thomas Lakers
During the finals in 1988, the Pistons faced the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Before the games began Isiah and Johnson exchanged a courtside peck as a sign of their deep friendship.
After taking a 3–2 series lead back to Los Angeles, Pistons seemed determined to win their first NBA title. However, Isiah sprained his ankle but continued playing in obvious pain. Despite playing with an injury, Isiah scored 25 points in the third quarter which was a new NBA Finals record. The Lakers won the title.
In the 1988-89 season, Isiah along with his teammates John Salley, Bill Laimbeer, Vinnie Johnson, Dennis Rodman, James Edwards, Rick Mahorn, Joe Dumars, and Mark Aguirre recorded a 63-19 record.
After dominating the playoffs the Pistons were nicknamed the “Bad Boys”. The Detroit Pistons defeated Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, therefore advancing to the finals against the Lakers. In the finals, they won four games, therefore winning their first back-to-back championships
Isiah Thomas Awards | Retirement
On April 19, 1994, an aging and ailing Thomas tore his Achilles tendon, therefore forcing him to retire a month later. Throughout his career as a basketball player, he has been awarded various awards including:
- NBA Finals MVP in 1990
- NCAA champion in 1981
- NBA champion in 1989 and 1990
- NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player 1981
- NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1984 and 1986
- USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year 1980
- NBA All-Rookie First Team 1982
Isiah Thomas NBA-TV
After leaving his coaching career, he ventured into the journalism industry as a television commentator. His first job was as a lead game analyst alongside Bob Costas as the play-by-play announcer at NBA on NBC. On December 21, 2012, he joined NBA TV as a studio analyst and also a regular contributor for NBA.com.
Isiah Thomas Net Worth
From his lifestyle, it is obvious to all that he has accumulated a decent amount of wealth from his previous profession over the years. Isiah’s average net worth is $8 million.
How Old Is Isiah Thomas
He was born to his lovely parents on April 30, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States of America. Therefore, Isiah is 61 years old.
Is Isiah Thomas Married
Yes, he is in a happy marital relationship with his beautiful wife Lynn Kendall and together they share three adorable children.