Joventut Badalona has signed Deshaun Thomas, a player with 219 games of experience in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, to a one-year deal, plus another one in the option. Thomas (2.01 meters, 31 years old) arrives from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, where he averaged 4.1 points in 22 EuroLeague appearances last season, while he also helped his team win the Italian League title. The 2023-24 campaign will be the American's second experience in the BKT EuroCup, having last played in the competition 10 years ago – in the 2013-14 season – with Nanterre.
Joventut adds experienced forward Deshaun Thomas
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An experienced replacement for Joel Parra
Joel Parra was one of Joventut's star performers in the EuroCup last season, posting 12.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and a 14.4 PIR across 21 games, so his move to FC Barcelona left a big hole to be filled. With Joventut having signed Andrew Andrews in its backcourt, Thomas now arrives as a ready-made replacement for Parra at the 4 position. Although his numbers were lower than usual last year, Thomas was able to average 9.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and a 7.9 PIR in 36 EuroLeague games for FC Bayern Munich in the 2021-22 season. In his 219-game EuroLeague career, his averages stand at 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and an 8.0 PIR.
Deshaun Thomas's career so far
Thomas started his professional career with French side Nanterre in the 2013-14 season, in which he made both his EuroLeague and EuroCup debuts. From there, his EuroLeague career saw him play for FC Barcelona (2014-15), Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2016-17), Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (2017-18), Panathinaikos Athens (2018-20), Bayern (2021-22) and Milan (2022-23).
Thomas has also suited up for the Austin Spurs in the G League (2015-16) and Alvark Tokyo in Japan (2020-21). He helped Maccabi win the league and cup double in 2018 before doing the same with Panathinaikos in 2019. The American forward also lifted the French Cup trophy with Nanterre in 2014. He also made it to the NCAA Tournament Final Four with Ohio State University in 2012.