Thomas goes 5-5 from deep, drops 23 as Lakers win Vegas Summer League

Feb 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Matt Thomas (21) shoots over the top of Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Phil Forte III (13) at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Cowboys 86 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Thomas is an NBA champion… sort of.

The former Cyclone sharpshooter scored 23 points, including 5-of-5 shooting from 3-point range, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 110-98 to win the Las Vegas NBA Summer League on Monday.

Thomas went 8-of-9 from the field while adding two assists and a rebound. His 23 points was the second-highest output on the team behind only 30 points from championship game MVP Kyle Kuzma.

The Lakers knocked down 14 3-pointers on the night despite playing without No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, and Las Vegas Summer League MVP, Lonzo Ball. Los Angeles is the lowest seed ever to win the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Thomas went 14-of-16 from behind-the-arc during the Lakers’ last three games. It is unclear what his future will hold now, but there’s no doubt he put his best foot forward with professional teams across the world.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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