Cam Thomas has all the time gotten his buckets in bunches…plenty of buckets in bunches.
He led the whole Hampton Roads space in scoring as a freshman at Oscar Smith Excessive College in Chesapeake, VA. He left Oak Hill Academy as this system’s all-time main scorer regardless of having solely performed there for his junior and senior seasons. He then led all NCAA DI freshmen in scoring throughout his sole season at LSU. It didn’t matter who Cam performed with or in opposition to. His accountability was all the time the identical: rating, rating and rating some extra.
That each one modified when he fell into the Brooklyn Nets’ lap at choose No. 27 within the 2021 NBA Draft. Not solely would he be becoming a member of a corporation with championship-or-bust expectations, however he was additionally becoming a member of a roster that wasn’t hurting for scoring. Do the names Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden ring a bell?
On one hand, Cam had first-class entry to work with and study from three of the most effective offensive gamers in hoops historical past. On the opposite, he needed to wait his flip and take care of inconsistent taking part in time, one thing he’d by no means skilled at that time in his younger profession. Even then, Cam by no means misplaced even the smallest little bit of confidence. It was examined, however that confidence is what obtained him right here. And there’s a tad little bit of “loopy” combined in there, too. All of the greats have it. However we all know how the phrase goes: It’s solely loopy till you do it.
Within the sparing minutes he was given, Cam confirmed flashes of his scoring brilliance. But, on any given night time, he might play wherever from 4 minutes to 17 minutes or also have a DNP. It was like this for many of his first two years within the League.
After which, in February 2023…he erupted. Amidst the Nets transferring on from their huge three of KD, Kyrie and Harden and making an attempt to determine what course they’d transfer in, Cam obtained just a few extra home windows of alternative. And he took full benefit. With Harden lengthy gone, Kyrie simply traded to Dallas and KD in commerce rumors, Cam was unleashed. All of it got here collectively as he made historical past, changing into the youngest participant to attain 40-plus factors in three straight video games. And these 40-pieces had been environment friendly, the works of a real skilled scorer.
This previous ’23-24 season, it began to slowly however absolutely all come collectively. Cam began in 51 of the 66 video games he performed in, averaging 22.5 factors in about 31 minutes per recreation, a 12-point enhance and 15-minute enhance from the season prior.
And now we’re right here. The Nets simply accomplished a large commerce, and there are numerous questions on which course the staff is headed. There’s additionally a completely new teaching workers, together with Jordi Fernandez on the helm. However even with all of the questions, there’s one factor that’s for sure. The Nets have a greater than succesful primary scoring choice in Cam Thomas.
It’s a heat Friday afternoon in July at SLAM HQ in New York, and the 6-3, 22-year-old combo guard who sits throughout from us is getting ready to what will probably be, a method or one other, a defining season in his profession. He sat down to debate his offseason, proving doubters incorrect, his love for Kobe Bryant and extra.
SLAM: How’s the offseason been going?
Cam Thomas: It’s been good. Simply laying low, resetting, preparing for subsequent season. It’s been actual good.
SLAM: Have you ever developed some form of routine, or do you method every offseason otherwise?
CT: I often attempt to go together with a clear slate since you by no means know. Stuff adjustments from 12 months to 12 months, like coaches, schemes, and so on. This summer time was in all probability the longest I took off—about two or three weeks. Then I obtained proper again to it.
SLAM: You’re principally recognized on your means to attain on the highest stage, and also you’ve improved as a scorer annually since getting into the League. Are there any particular stuff you’re centered on bettering for subsequent season?
CT: Nah, probably not. I simply wish to maintain engaged on all the pieces. Final summer time, I attempted to place extra emphasis on catch-and-shoot taking pictures, and I believe I used to be approach up within the League percentage-wise on catch-and-shoot [this past season]. So, simply proceed to work on that and fine-tuning the abilities I had coming into the League, like my off-the-dribble stuff and ending across the basket, [while] nonetheless bettering on catch-and-shoot, making an attempt to have the most effective proportion within the League.
SLAM: The Nets had been a part of one of many greatest strikes this offseason when Mikal Bridges went throughout the bridge to the Knicks. This positions you for the most important position of your profession to date. How have you ever begun to method and put together for this elevated position, not solely bodily however mentally?
CT: Simply realizing that and embracing it. Attacking it head-on. I’ve type of been having these roles [as the leader of the team] ever since I used to be in highschool and school. So, I’m probably not apprehensive about it. I’m simply excited to get it going and to attempt to do it within the League. I’m probably not apprehensive about it in any respect; I’m simply prepared.
SLAM: You’re on a brief record of essentially the most proficient younger guards within the NBA. What do you suppose you might want to do to get to that subsequent stage?
CT: Simply doing all the pieces—doing it persistently. I had the most important bounce in factors from my second 12 months to my third 12 months. I used to be at 22.5 [points per game], so I believe making an attempt to get into that 25 ppg vary, upping the playmaking and simply making an attempt to maintain bettering my all-around recreation. And hopefully, it results in wins.
SLAM: Are you impressed by the doubters, or would you say you’re fully self-motivated?
CT: It’s a bit little bit of each…I don’t actually fear concerning the doubters as a result of I’ve all the time had them. No person actually believed in my expertise and scoring means—even at Oak Hill, and even in school, and even within the League. So, I’m used to it. Now, it’s actually simply self-motivation. Even right down to sliding within the draft all the way in which down to choose 27. I nonetheless carry that chip on my shoulder. And even with the Nets, not taking part in persistently my first two years. I’ve that in my again pocket so I can continue to grow and maintain bettering…to point out why it is best to have performed me in my first two years.
I’m not centered on making an attempt to show myself anymore. All people is aware of I’m one of many high younger scorers—high younger guards—within the League now. So, it’s actually simply making an attempt to maximise my means, see the place I can take it and turn out to be the most effective participant I could be, this 12 months, and for years to return.
SLAM: There’s clearly a lofty confidence you could should be an elite scorer within the League, not to mention as an undersized guard. What do you suppose is the principle supply of that mentality?
CT: I’d in all probability say rising up in [the Hampton Roads area]. It’s bodily there. All people’s combating for a similar objective, sports-wise. I really feel that helped me in a approach. And actually…Kobe Bryant. Simply studying his mentality and idolizing him, that’s part of it, too. That’s actually how I formed my mentality: Kobe and my hometown. On the similar time, that’s simply in me.
SLAM: Do you could have any particular particular person or staff targets for subsequent season? Are you involved with All-Star, All-NBA and people forms of particular person accolades?
CT: Individually, I simply attempt to keep within the second. No matter occurs, occurs. If I get it, I get it. If I don’t, I don’t. I simply wish to maintain bettering. So far as the staff, the objective is to be higher day-after-day and attempt to win as many video games as we will. Actually, we don’t know what our staff might seem like going into subsequent season. However no matter it appears to be like like, we simply wish to be the most effective staff we could be and attempt to put a great product on the ground for Brooklyn.
SLAM: What ought to Nets followers and Cam Thomas followers anticipate subsequent season?
CT: Pleasure. Leisure. [I’m] hoping all the pieces results in wins on the finish of the day. We’ll see. It’s completely different within the League. However I’m ready, not apprehensive in any respect. I’ve performed it within the League, however I wish to take it to a different stage, for certain.
Portraits by Marcus Stevens. Motion pictures through Getty Photographs.
