LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell men's basketball standout
Jahad Thomas (Williamsport, Pa.) has signed his first professional contract with BC Zaporizhya of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague.
"I'm just looking forward to starting my professional career," said the 2018 UMass Lowell graduate. "I'm really excited that this is the next step and feel blessed to be able to continue to play basketball."
The SuperLeague represents the highest tier of professional basketball in Ukraine. Thomas was looked at by teams in several countries, including Portugal and Korea, but says the Ukrainian league offered the best opportunity for starting out his career.
"I've really put an emphasis on shooting this whole summer, so I'm very confident in that," he commented when asked about the different style of play overseas. "I don't really feel too much pressure, I'm just going to go out there and play my game."
Thomas ended his collegiate career as the most prolific Division I player the River Hawks have seen. The Williamsport, Pa. native was a three-time, All-America East honoree, as well as the program's first ever Division I NABC All-District selection.
He finished his tenure ranked seventh on UMass Lowell's all-time scoring list with 1,864 points and third with 862 rebounds. He is just the fourth player in school history to amass more than 1,800 points and 800 rebounds, and the only one to do so at the Division I level. Thomas owns nine of the program's Division I records, as well.
"I'm thrilled for the opportunity Jahad has earned to play professionally," said UMass Lowell Head Coach
Pat Duquette. "Nobody I have ever coached has worked harder than him to achieve his goals."
In his senior season, Thomas averaged an America East best 21.1 points per game, a mark that ranked 28th in the nation. In doing so, he became just the second Division I player in the last 25 years to average 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals per game in a single season.
