SEATTLE – Former Husky men’s basketball standout Isaiah Thomas’ No. 2 jersey will be retired by the University of Washington men’s basketball program at the Huskies’ Feb. 15 game against Utah at Alaska Airlines Arena, UW Director of Athletics Jennifer Cohen announced Thursday.
“Words can’t describe how grateful I am to receive this honor,” Thomas said. “The University of Washington provided me the opportunity and support to pursue my dream of playing professional basketball, but it has also shaped who I am as a person. I always dreamed of becoming a Husky, playing in Hec Ed and earning my degree from Washington, and to know that my name will live there forever means the world to me.”
A Tacoma, Wash. native, Thomas led the Huskies to three consecutive conference championships. The electric, 5 foot 9, guard finished his three years eighth all-time in scoring with 1,721 career points and ended with a career average of 16.4 ppg. He has three of the top 25 single-season scoring seasons and is the only player to have three with at least 541 points per season.
“Isaiah’s heart, competitiveness, grit, determination and perseverance through challenges define what it means to be a Husky,” Cohen said. “He has faced obstacles at every stage of his journey, and it is my hope that his jersey in the rafters will serve as an inspiration to many more young men and women throughout the state, to know that anything is possible.”
Following his Husky career, Thomas was the last (60th) pick of the NBA Draft in 2011, but went on to become a two-time NBA All-Star and a 2017 All-NBA Second Team selection. After being drafted by the Sacramento Kings, Thomas was traded to the Phoenix Suns before being dealt to the Boston Celtics and most recently the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As a part of one of the most revered franchises in NBA history, Thomas averaged 28.9 points, 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds for the Celtics in 2016-17. He set the program record with 245 made 3-pointers and scored at least 20 points or more on 71 occasions, including 43-straight, the longest such streak in Celtics history. He was the third-leading scorer in the NBA during the 2016-17 season and his 28.9 points per game marked the second highest scorer in Celtics history, trailing only Larry Bird’s 1987-88 mark of 29.9.
Thomas has built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most valuable players both on and off the court, spearheading multiple community service initiatives in both his hometown of Tacoma, and in Boston. The NBA recognized his efforts with the 2017 NBA Cares Community Assist Award, awarded to only one player each year in recognition of their outstanding commitment and dedication to making a difference in his community.
Fans are invited to help celebrate Thomas as the Huskies hoist his jersey Thurs., Feb. 15 in Alaska Airlines Arena, against Utah. Special ticket offers are available here.
Information courtesy of the UW Athletics Department.
