Recall the 1988 NEA Finals. It was game six, the Detroit Pistons and
the Los Angeles Lakers were going head to head as the Pistons' point guard
Isaiah Thomas played one of the most historic games in NEA history. In
spite of a sprained ankle, Thomas scored 43 points that game, 25 of which
were scored in third quarter. Though the Pistons went on to lose game six,
that kind of stand out effort to succeed has made Thomas a role model on
the court and the business world.
"I enjoyed playing the game of basketball, but I was aware that I was
not going to play my entire life," Thomas said. "1 began thinking about
my career after basketball the second season I entered the league. On and
off the court I have tried to encourage players and members in the community
to take pride in education and look beyond basketball."
A Chicago native, Thomas began his road to professional basketball with
a successful career at Indiana University under coach Bobby Knight. After
his freshman year he was selected to play For the US Olympic team. As a
19-year-old sophomore, Thomas led Indiana to the 1981 NCAA tournament and
entered the NEA draft before the end of his junior year.
Thomas was drafted to the Detroit Pistons, who at the time were undergoing
their worst season and were the second worst team in the league with a
21-61 record. Standing at only 6'1" he went on to change the course of
Detroit's play. Thomas led the Pistons to back-to-back championships, their
first NEA title in 1989 and again in 1990. Selected to be a part of the
A11-NBA Team for three consecutive seasons, 83-86 Thomas brought a winning
spirit to his team.
Thomas is one of the leading four players to ever reach over 9,000 lifetime
assists he averaged 3.5 assists per game and 19.2 points throughout his
14-year-career in the NEA. Retiring from the NEA in 1994, Thomas moved
from dominating the basketball court to dominating the business world.
"My first project after retirement was a big one, my investment company
Isaiah Investments took over American Speedy printing company and helped
them overcome bankruptcy."
Thomas, 38, moved American Speedy from bankruptcy to a successful chain
of printing centers linking more than 400 centers in the United States,
Canada, and the Far East. "This was a major stepping stone for me as I
went on to advance throughout the business industry."
Thomas went on to pass his winning reputation to the Toronto Raptors
where he was VP of basketball operations and part owner. The Raptors came
into the league as an expansion team in 1995. Thomas' guidance helped the
raptures win 51 games in their first two seasons. He also helped with the
recruitment of talented players such as Marcus Camby, Damon Stoudamire
and Tracy McGrady.
Thomas' business ventures go beyond the NEA. On October 7, 1999 Isaiah
Lord Thomas ill successfully completed the purchase of the Continental
Basketball Association. Thomas purchased the 53-year-old league of nine
minor league teams for $10 million. The league was purchased with a goal
of official development and hopes of expansion.
"The CBA was purchased with a goal of creating a franchise with a single
entity that can control the look and feel of the league," Thomas said.
As owner of the league, Thomas changed the rules and brought a new attitude
to the teams. He restricted the use of double team defense, created a new
playoff format, and abolished the quarter point system. "We would like
the CBA to maintain its reputation for instilling quality basketball education
and training," Thomas said. "As well as instilling solid basketball skills
I want to continue to put role models and heroes throughout the urban communities."
Over the past 21 years 514 players have been called up to the NEA from
the CBA. In the 1998-1999 season there was a record 63-player call up."Thomas
has brought so many new and wonderful changes to league," said Deron Filip,
Director of CBA Media Relations. "We hope his solid business sense continues
to build a competitive league."
Plans of expansion are currently in the works with hopes of adding a
league designed for women. "We hope to develop a league to be known as
the WCBA for women where they will develop the same mentality and training
necessary to be a solid player as well," Thomas said. The nine teams of
the CBA are currently stretched across Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Illinois, South Dakota, Washington and Idaho. Thomas hopes to
have an official affiliation with the NEA where each team would be affiliated
with its own CBA team and players can be sent up or down.
Though Thomas is working diligently to mold and shape the CBA, he admits
that the future will be cyber-connected. "I believe that the Internet will
be the key focus of the marketplace over the next five to ten years. By
branching my business to the Internet I have the opportunity bring communities
to a premiere marketplace where there are no stereotypes just quick and
pure business." On December 1,1998, Thomas Internet-based company Isaih.com
launched a one stop on-line shopping service center for gift certificates
available for leading merchants.
The Website <www.i-gift.com> sells gift certificates in even $10
to $100 amounts. Thomas said that he spent 500,00 launching i-gift with
plans of expanding the service centers nation wide. "Gift certificates
are always quick and now they are readily available,",Thomas said.
Thomas has also organized groups such as the Isaiah Thomas Foundation.
This organization is committed to promoting and creating recreational and
educational opportunities for inner-city youth in the Detroit area. A scholarship
fund has been set up at Indiana University and has paid college tuition
for over 75 youth.
In 1986,Thomas returned to Indiana University to complete in degree
in criminal justice. Also an advocate for the Fannie Mae foundation he
promotes anti-crime and antipoverty campaigns. "For everyone who is aspiring
to be great always strive to be the best, have a game plan, you will hear
"no" a lot, but don't give up."