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As a sophomore at Loyola Chicago, Saint Thomas struggled with his mental health. Midway through the 2022-2023 season, he left the school in search of adequate mental health resources after contemplating ending his own life.
Thomas made five starts in 14 games that season. This past March, the forward was hopeful he’d be able to get his season back. He’d transferred to USC in the fall from Northern Colorado, where he spent his junior year.
According to Thomas, Trojans staff told him a medical waiver would surely be approved. But to everyone’s surprise, Thomas’s waiver requesting a fifth year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA.
“My head was kind of all over the place,” Thomas told the LA Times. “I’m not a kid that’s just saying they have a mental health problem, or a kid that’s just asking for another year to play college basketball. I feel like I really deserve it. I’m a real advocate of mental health now. I speak on it in interviews. I’m open about it. I think I can be a helping hand.”He filed an appeal to the league, which included more details about his mental health struggles, but was left in a tough spot as they decide.
Coach Eric Musselman could not hold a roster spot hoping the NCAA will change its mind.
Luckily for Thomas, his basketball career isn’t over — the Philadelphia 76ers inked the 6-foot-7 forward to a Summer League deal Friday. It may not be a two-way contract with a path to the G League yet, but if Thomas performs well it’s likely more opportunities will arise.
Good luck to @_Saintthomas23 at @NBASummerLeague! Saint was one of the most versatile players we have had the opportunity to coach✌️@sixers pic.twitter.com/aI1Cs3b0gy
— Eric Musselman (@EricPMusselman) June 27, 2025📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
In his season with the Trojans, Thomas was the only player to start all 35 games, averaging 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He shot 63.3% on free throws and 30.3% from beyond the arc. As a junior at Northern Colorado, he started all 32 games, averaging 19.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
They’re strong numbers considering he missed half a year of college ball, but Thomas has a lot of room to grow offensively.
The NBA Draft on SI’s March scouting report referred to the forward as an “athletic menace,” but noted his shooting efficiency needs improvement. Philadelphia shot 78% from the free throw line last season, and Thomas could learn a lot from players like Joel Embiid, who shot 88.2%, and Tyrese Maxey, who shot 87.9%.
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