I still remember watching Deshaun Thomas during his Ohio State days, thinking this kid had that special scoring instinct you just can't teach. Standing at 6'7" with that smooth left-handed stroke, he seemed destined for NBA success. His college numbers were absolutely staggering - during his final season in 2012-2013, he averaged 19.8 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting nearly 45% from the field. What impressed me most was his ability to score at all three levels, something that's become increasingly valuable in today's positionless basketball landscape.
When Thomas declared for the 2013 NBA Draft, I genuinely believed he'd be a first-round pick. The basketball analytics loved him - his player efficiency rating of 28.7 ranked among the nation's elite. But the draft night came and went without his name being called, a moment that still puzzles me when I look back at that draft class. The San Antonio Spurs eventually signed him to their summer league team, but he never quite cracked their rotation. This is where his professional journey took an interesting turn that many American basketball fans might not fully appreciate - his decision to take his talents overseas marked the beginning of what I'd argue is one of the most successful international careers for an American player in recent memory.
His first stop in Europe was with Nanterre 92 in France, where he immediately made an impact. I recall watching his French League games and thinking how perfectly his game translated to the European style. The wider court spaces and emphasis on skilled basketball suited his versatile scoring package. He put up solid numbers - around 12 points and 4 rebounds per game - but more importantly, he was adapting. The following season, he moved to JSF Nanterre and really started to find his rhythm, increasing his scoring output to nearly 15 points per contest while improving his three-point percentage to a respectable 36%.
But it was his move to Alvark Tokyo in Japan's B.League where Thomas truly became a superstar. This is where I really started following his career closely, as the level of competition in Japan has been steadily rising. During his first season with Alvark, he averaged around 18 points and 6 rebounds, but what stood out was his efficiency - his true shooting percentage climbed to nearly 58%, remarkable for a volume scorer. He quickly became the focal point of their offense and helped lead them to multiple championships.
What fascinates me about Thomas's journey is how he's evolved his game to dominate in different leagues. In Europe, he had to become more disciplined defensively and improve his court vision. In Japan, he's become that go-to scorer who can single-handedly take over games. I've watched countless hours of his film across different leagues, and the development in his post game particularly stands out. He's added nuanced footwork and counter moves that make him nearly impossible to guard one-on-one in the paint.
There's a quote from his time with Alvark Tokyo that always resonated with me, where he discussed the preseason challenges: "Noong preseason tinalo kami ng lahat ng teams. Siyempre di natin pwedeng basehan ang preseason, sasabihin nila, pero alam ko yung lakas nila, alam ko na talagang nag-improve lahat ng teams para agawin sa amin yung corona." This mindset reveals so much about his competitive nature and understanding of the target that's always on the back of championship teams. He recognized that every team was gunning for them, that the preseason results didn't define their season, but also understood the real threat posed by improved opponents hungry to dethrone them.
Looking at his statistical progression tells an interesting story about player development outside the NBA system. His scoring averages have consistently hovered between 18-22 points across different international leagues, but his efficiency metrics have shown remarkable improvement. His effective field goal percentage has climbed from the low 40s early in his career to consistently above 52% in recent seasons. To me, this demonstrates how players can continue developing fundamental skills when given consistent minutes and offensive responsibility.
The financial aspect of his career choice is worth noting too. While he might not have reached NBA stardom, he's likely earned somewhere in the range of $6-8 million throughout his overseas career, with his current contract with the Utsunomiya Brex reportedly paying him approximately $1.2 million annually. That's not superstar NBA money, but it's certainly a comfortable living while playing a game he loves in environments where he's truly valued.
What I admire most about Thomas's journey is how he's carved out this incredibly successful career on his own terms. He could have bounced around NBA G-League teams chasing that elusive NBA roster spot, but instead he embraced being a big fish in different ponds. His game has matured in ways it might not have if he'd been limited to 8-10 minutes per game as an NBA end-of-bench player. He's developed into a complete offensive weapon who understands how to read defenses and exploit mismatches.
As someone who's followed international basketball for over two decades, I'd rank Thomas among the most impactful American imports in Asian basketball history. His combination of scoring prowess, basketball IQ, and adaptability to different cultures and playing styles sets him apart. While we'll always wonder what could have been had he stuck in the NBA, there's something genuinely satisfying about seeing a player not just survive but truly thrive in building an alternative basketball legacy. His story serves as an important reminder that there are multiple paths to success in professional basketball, and sometimes the road less traveled leads to the most fulfilling destinations.