Tim Thomas revealed to Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson that an unnamed University on the East Coast offered him $3 million, a $2 million home, and four different vehicles for him to come to play for them in college.
“A University offered me $3 million, a $2 million home, four different vehicles, and they knew I was only going to be there for six months. And I said, ‘No way.’ It was on the East Coast. I’ll give you this hint. I told you that I’m Soprana of New Jersey, so I’ll just leave it at that.”
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Thomas was the second-highest-ranked recruit from the 1996 High School class, ranking behind Kobe Bryant. While Kobe went straight to the NBA, Thomas decided to play college ball with the Villanova Wildcats. Thomas was named to both All-Big East and All-Big East Tournament teams and won Big East Rookie of the Year. He averaged 16.9 points and 6.0 rebounds in his one year with Villanova.
Thomas would enjoy a long NBA career, playing 13 years in the NBA after entering the league as the No. 7 pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. He never became a star in the NBA like many expected, switching teams nine times with seven franchises in the NBA. He retired in 2010 on the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds for his career.
Tim Thomas Names The 5 Best New Jersey Hoopers Of All Time
Thomas was asked to name the five players he thinks are the best that the state ever produced, with an interesting list coming from the former All-Rookie selection.
“I can be biased? Top-five all-time? You got so many, man. I will go with myself, DJ Wagner, gotta put Kyrie in there, J.R. (Smith). Oh man, this last spot. I’m Soprano of the state, they know that. I’mma go Isaiah Briscoe.”
Thomas put together a solid five. Naturally, he selected himself but the other players are all accomplished in their own right. The surprising shout has to be DJ Wagner, the current Kentucky Wildcats point guard who has fallen in stature over his freshman college season. Thomas picked DJ over his father, Dajuan Wagner as well.
Kyrie Irving is an unquestionable selection given his incredible skill on the ball. Many argue Irving could be the most skilled point guard ever, so he likely is an automatic name to be added to a New Jersey guard list. J.R. Smith was incredible and the former NBA champion earned a shout as well.
Isaiah Briscoe was one of the top-rated point guards in the country in 2015, going to Kentucky and having a bad season. His story is similar to what’s happening with Wagner right now and could be a cautionary tale for the young guard, as Briscoe played just 39 games in the NBA in 2018 and hasn’t been close to making the league since.
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