Erik Thomas (basketball)
Erik Thomas (born January 16, 1995) is an Argentine basketball player for Soles de Mexicali of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional. He played college basketball for the University of New Orleans, where in 2017 he was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year. Thomas was born in Entre Ríos, Argentina to an American professional basketball player and an Argentine mother. He starred at Wesley Chapel High School in Florida, where he was named the state Class A Player of the Year as a senior. He was lightly-recruited due to his small size for a  power forward and a torn ligament in his ankle, so he opted for junior college, enrolling first at East Georgia State College and then at Baton Rouge Community College. He ultimately committed to New Orleans to finish his college career. Thomas started for two seasons, and in 2016–17 he averaged 19.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, leading the Privateers to a Southland Conference championship and earning Southland Player of the Year honors. Thomas spent the 2019-20 season with Ferro Carril Oeste of the Liga Nacional de Básquet, averaging 13 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. On  July 14, 2020, he signed with Soles de Mexicali of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional. Thomas is eligible to play for the Argentina national basketball team, having tried out for the Argentine U-17 team in 2010.