Thomas brings elite three-point shooting and EuroLeague experience to Istanbul as Besiktas targets a strong finish
Besiktas adds former champ and shooting ace Matt Thomas
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Besiktas GAIN Istanbul has acquired one of Europe’s most lethal perimeter threats by signing shooting guard Matt Thomas for the rest of the season. Thomas (1.94 meters, 31 years old) arrives from Coviran Granada, where he has averaged 14.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game across 14 Spanish League contests this season — shooting an impressive 46.2% from three-point range.
A EuroCup champion with Valencia Basket in 2019, Thomas will play in the competition for the first time since that magical season, in which he 12.7 points on 47.7% shooting from long range in 23 EuroCup games. He raised his numbers to 13.6 points on 56% three-point shooting in the semifinals and finals to help Valencia lift the trophy.
Last season Thomas starred in the EuroLeague with ALBA Berlin, where he posted 12.3 points on a 46.2% clip from beyond the arc in 21 games. After playing college basketball with Iowa State University, Thomas began his professional career in Spain with Obradoiro before joining Valencia. He then returned to North America with stints in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls. Thomas played a total of 126 regular season games and saw action in 10 more playoff games for Toronto in 2020 and 3 more for Utah in 2021. He debuted in the EuroLeague with Panathinaikos Athens in February 2023 and then spent two seasons in Berlin.
Thomas joins a Besiktas side that has its sights set on contention for the EuroCup crown and currently sits second in Group B with a 9-4 record. He will team up with several other three-point aces in Istanbul, including Vitto Brown, Conor Morgan, Anthony Brown, Yigit Arslan and Jonah Matthews.