Jameson Thomas, National Basketball Association Basketball School Portugal and Greece Technical Director and Clarke Central High School Class of 2015 alumnus, sits in the CCHS Competition Gym on Feb. 24. Thomas, who now aspires to become a college basketball assistant coach, was a CCHS varsity basketball assistant coach during the 2021-2022 season. “If you’re in high school or middle school, (I am) gonna work on everything to teach you the full game,” Thomas said. “(But, in) college, WNBA, NBA G League (or) NBA, your playbook (is) the thing we’re gonna work on (and) you only (work) on the things that you’re good at.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
NBA Basketball School Portugal and Greece Technical Director Jameson Thomas shares his journey from a family of educators to a career in coaching development.
Sports Staffer Kevin Capcha: How did you get into basketball?
National Basketball Association (NBA) Basketball School Technical Director and Clarke Central High School Class of 2015 alumnus Jameson Thomas: I started playing basketball when I was 3-years-old, (and) stuck with it through middle school (and) high school. The (Amateur Athletic Union) team I played for had control over (the CCHS) team, so it was guaranteed that I was going to play every year. I was a young guy, so I never really had my year until senior year. I didn’t play in college, but I started training the players (who) went to my college (to) stay in contact with the game. I was coaching AAU, Little League and (recreational) teams (to stay) involved on the grassroots level. That was how (my coaching career) started.
KC: How did you pivot into coaching full-time?
JT: (My career aspiration) was always education. My father (Reginald Thomas) was an assistant principal here (at CCHS from 2007-2021). Everybody thought I was going to be a teacher when I grew up, so, as I got older, I embraced that’s really who my family is and (education is) in my blood. During (college), I was a Political Science major and basketball was always my backup plan. When (COVID-19) happened, schools shut down, (so a) basketball (career) was open. I was (at) NBA Summer League in (Las) Vegas, (Nevada) and I met (NBA Skills Coach) Drew Hanlen. (Hanlen) showed me that basketball could be a full-time career. So, in August 2021, I took it off full-time with basketball.
You can’t be lazy. (Sports experts) say that (to) get into the NBA, (it) takes 10,000 hours of hard work. It’s the same thing with coaches. Sometimes, nobody (sees the) 9,000 hours. (I) like to call them “unseen hours”.
KC: What is your “why”, or reason for coaching?
JT: My reason (is that) when I was growing up, the position that I’m in now wasn’t a common position in the NBA. So, if I had a trainer or mentor, like (who I am) now when I was 13, I would have made it further as a (basketball) player. My “why” now is being that resource that I didn’t have when I was growing up. (The reward) doesn’t hit (me) until (I) get a message in another language (from) parents (in) another continent. It’ll be midnight (and) my phone will be blowing up (from) people in Europe trying to get in touch with me.
KC: Did you ever have any doubts about switching careers?
JT: People were always telling (me) that basketball is not a real job (and to) find something else to do (with my) life. So, then (I) kind of listened to that (and) that’s why it took me a minute to make that decision to go full-time with my career. Sometimes, I feel like I’m not as deserving. I don’t know why I feel that way. Somebody told me when I was in Europe, that I have Imposter Syndrome. I looked it up, and it was like saying that you’re not good enough. (But,) then they told me real imposters don’t have Imposter Syndrome.
KC: What is it like working with the NBA G League, Women’s NBA and internationally?
JT: The WNBA players work harder. They listen better (and) more closely. They have less egos (and are) less cocky. The G League (is) humble too (and) they’re a little less cocky. (They) say “Thank you,” “Please” (and) call you “Sir”. Those things mean something. Then, (in) Europe, they love you over there. They’re so humble and grateful. They tell you “Thank you so much” (and) I’m their LeBron (James) or Michael Jordan, because they’ve never met anybody from the NBA before.
View this post on Instagram
Jameson Thomas signs Portuguese children’s jerseys at the National Basketball Association School in Lisbon, Portugal in August 2024. Thomas did not expect the impact of his position as NBA Technical Director on European families. “When they mention Greek NBA basketball, it’s Giannis (Antetokounmpo) and me. People have met me in Greece, and I’m the closest thing they know to the NBA,” Thomas said. “I have Greek kids every day that reach out to me (wanting) to come to the (United) States. Their dream is to come here, play basketball or do anything in America.” Post fair use of Jameson Thomas
KC: How did you establish yourself in the basketball industry without prior connections?
JT: The first guy (was) Hanlen – responsible for Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum (and) Tyrese Haliburton. He was the first guy to introduce me to (coaching). I was in his mentorship program. After that, I got into the WNBA doing player development under Coach Dale McNeil. He took me under his wing, and I was his mentee for two seasons. So, that’s when I got that experience. (of) being like (a) male in a woman sport that’s a lot different around 15 to 20 women, and it’s only five men (in the) organization. Another one was Skill Factory in Atlanta, under Rob Allen, one of the top NBA player development coaches (in the) country. I got to do the NBA pre-draft (process) with him for three seasons (and) went to the NBA Draft Combine.
KC: What do you emphasize most when working with players?
Jameson Thomas, National Basketball Association Basketball School Portugal and Greece Technical Director and Clarke Central High School Class of 2015 alumnus, sits in the CCHS boys varsity locker room on Feb. 24. Thomas was initially reluctant to pursue basketball as a full-time career after deciding not to pursue a career in education. “People were always telling (me) that basketball is not a real job (and to) find something else to do (with my) life,” Thomas said. “(I) kind of listened to that, that’s why it took me a minute to make that decision to go full-time with my career.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
JT: Hard work is the first thing. You can’t be lazy. (Sports experts) say that (to) get into the NBA, (it) takes 10,000 hours of hard work. It’s the same thing with coaches. Sometimes, nobody (sees the) 9,000 hours. (I) like to call them “unseen hours”. When it’s time to go on the court, it’s showtime. (If you) just take a day off, the person behind you is gonna get better than you.
KC: What’s been the biggest challenge as a coach for you?
JT: The hardest part was getting there. So, (being) here (is) the easy part. Another mentally tough part is that I’m the same age as the players. It’s an advantage and disadvantage. I’m applying for coaching positions, but (other coaches are) in their 30s and 40s getting a job (while the players are) in their 20s still playing the game. Being so young and being able to break into that space is tough, but rewarding. At the same time, (I) get to be the bridge between the players and the coaches.
KC: What’s your long-term goal for your career?
JT: My long-term goal is to coach college basketball. I don’t want to (do) NBA (coaching). I love it, but that’s not (feasible) once you get a family. In the NBA, you don’t have any time to yourself. I don’t want (to be a) head coach. I want to be an assistant coach. Head coaches can get fired for things not under your (control), so I’d rather get with somebody and rock with them wherever they go. I have a few coaches that I’m with on the NBA level and still trying to see about the manager level. Being a manager is how you work your way up to be a college coach.
