Cam Thomas has at all times gotten his buckets in bunches…quite a lot 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 towards. His accountability was at all times the identical: rating, rating and rating some extra.
That every one modified when he fell into the Brooklyn Nets’ lap at decide 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 be taught from three of the most effective offensive gamers in hoops historical past. On the opposite, he needed to wait his flip and cope with inconsistent enjoying 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” blended 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 evening, he may 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 massive three of KD, Kyrie and Harden and attempting to determine what route they’d transfer in, Cam obtained a couple of 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, turning into the youngest participant to attain 40-plus factors in three straight video games. And these 40-pieces have 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 sport, a 12-point improve and 15-minute improve from the season prior.
And now we’re right here. The Nets simply accomplished an enormous commerce, and there are numerous questions on which route the staff is headed. There’s additionally a completely new teaching employees, 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 can be, a technique or one other, a defining season in his profession. He sat down to debate his offseason, proving doubters unsuitable, 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 type of routine, or do you strategy every offseason in a different way?
CT: I often attempt to go together with a clear slate since you by no means know. Stuff modifications 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 to your capability to attain on the highest degree, and also you’ve improved as a scorer every year since coming into the League. Are there any particular belongings you’re targeted on enhancing for subsequent season?
CT: Nah, probably not. I simply need 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 means 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 enhancing on catch-and-shoot, attempting to have the most effective share within the League.
SLAM: The Nets have 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 largest position of your profession so far. How have you ever begun to strategy and put together for this elevated position, not solely bodily however mentally?
CT: Simply figuring out 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 faculty. So, I’m probably not fearful about it. I’m simply excited to get it going and to attempt to do it within the League. I’m probably not fearful 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 assume it’s essential to do to get to that subsequent degree?
CT: Simply doing all the pieces—doing it constantly. I had the largest soar 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 attempting to get into that 25 ppg vary, upping the playmaking and simply attempting to maintain enhancing my all-around sport. 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 little bit little bit of each…I don’t actually fear in regards to the doubters as a result of I’ve at all times had them. No one actually believed in my expertise and scoring capability—even at Oak Hill, and even in faculty, and even within the League. So, I’m used to it. Now, it’s actually simply self-motivation. Even all the way 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 enjoying constantly my first two years. I’ve that in my again pocket so I can continue to grow and maintain enhancing…to indicate why you need to have performed me in my first two years.
I’m not targeted on attempting to show myself anymore. All people is aware of I’m one of many prime younger scorers—prime younger guards—within the League now. So, it’s actually simply attempting to maximise my capability, see the place I can take it and develop into the most effective participant I will be, this 12 months, and for years to come back.
SLAM: There’s clearly a lofty confidence you will need to should be an elite scorer within the League, not to mention as an undersized guard. What do you assume is the primary 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 preventing for a similar purpose, sports-wise. I really feel that helped me in a means. 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’ve any particular particular person or staff targets for subsequent season? Are you involved with All-Star, All-NBA and people kinds 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 need to maintain enhancing. So far as the staff, the purpose is to be higher on daily basis and attempt to win as many video games as we are able to. Truthfully, we don’t know what our staff may seem like going into subsequent season. However no matter it seems like, we simply need to be the most effective staff we will be and attempt to put a great product on the ground for Brooklyn.
SLAM: What ought to Nets followers and Cam Thomas followers count on 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 fearful in any respect. I’ve carried out it within the League, however I need to take it to a different degree, for certain.
Portraits by Marcus Stevens. Motion photographs by way of Getty Photographs.
