Miles Schmidt-Scheuber with Khyri Thomas in Frankfurt

Khyri Thomas (190-F/G-1996, college: Creighton) is a 29 year old 190cm guard playing his 8th professional season and first in Germany with the Syntainics MBC Weissenfels (BBL). He began his basketball career at Benson high school and alsomplayed at Fork Union Military academy. He then played 3 years at Creighton (NCAA). He then was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 38th draft pick. He then played 3 seasons in the NBA and G-League playing with the Pistons and Rockets in the NBA and with Grand Rapids and Austin in the G-League. He came overseas in 2021 and played in countries like Spain, Israel, and Turkey. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Khyri for talking to germanhoops.com. After stops in Israel, Spain and Turkey, your now in Germany with the SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels (Germany-BBL). What kind of an experience has it been? What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

It’s been a decent journey so far, We have a great group of guys and staff has been very professional.

Your far away from big places like Detroit and Houston. Is it still a tough adjustment to off court things or is the quaintness of Weissenfels perfect to focus more on basketball?

I am not a very needy guy so adjusting isn’t a big problem at all. Learning new things each week about Germany is fun.

The SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels (Germany-BBL) are an incredible organization. They won the Fiba Europe Cup in 2004 and then had many not so successful years in the BBL and even moved down to division 2 and last season surprisingly won the German Cup. What is so special about this organization?

What’s special is the group of guys are very unselfish and all about winning. Which makes things a lot more fun and enjoyable.

The team have so many interesting guys like John Bryant a BBL legend in his 15th BBL season, a Spencer Reaves, the brother of NBA player Austin or Collin Welp the son of Chris who helped Germany win the 1993 Euro. There many more guys and then there is you the ex NBA player. How does your character add to the uniqueness of this years team?

I think just learning from each of those guys has made my style of play be great for the entire team.

From those guys I mentioned above or others, is there a player that has had the biggest impact on you this season?

I’d say Akeem Vargas or John Bryant have been most helpful and their IQ for the game is very amazing.

The team has great scoring balance as 6 guys are scoring in double figures in the BBL this season. In Frankfurt you had big shots in crunch time as did Marcus Foster. What exactly is your role on the team and can any guy be the go to guy on any night?

My role is to be best version of myself on the court and lead as well.

Last summer you played with the Calgary Surge (Canada-CEBL) averaging 8.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-3 (1.8spg), FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 77.8%. What kind of experience was it. The CEBL is a rising league. How did this experience help your game more than just being at home and working out?

Simply just getting back in shape from a hamstring injury and knowing how tough this league can be.

Last season you played with Socar Petkimspor (Turkey-BSL) averaging 14.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 70.4%. That was your second tour of duty in Turkey. You lost a tough playoff series against Fenerbahce being swept. What was so tough getting over the hump in that series?

We overcame a lot that season but a team like with that much talent and experience is always challenging.

How tough was the 2022-2023 season? You began in Turkey with Tofas Bursa but then stopped palying for personal reasons, but returned later in the season to Hereda San Pablo Burgos (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 10.9ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.8%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 86.5%. You had to play in division 2. What did you learn about yourself in this season?

That season was extremely fun and going to championship was a huge confidence boost for me personally.

In Burgos you were teammates with Rasid Mahalbasic, a very unique player that had amazing seasons in the German BBL and had a string of triple doubles. Was that one of the most versatile bigs that you played with so far overseas?

Too many to name honestly.

In your first season overseas you split time with RETAbet Bilbao Basket (Spain-Liga ACB) and with Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv (Israel-Winner League) averaging 7.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 36.8%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 80.0%; and 3.5ppg, 2.2rpg in the Euroleague. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Just score and try to get back into the NBA.

How big of a learning lesson was the stay in Tel Aviv? You played in the Euroleague, but overall witnessed that you can´t just jump in and expect 30 minutes. How did that stay help you adjust to the ballers life overseas?

To simply stay ready and control what you can control.

You had some amazing teammates in Tel Aviv with Derrick Williams, Scottie Wilbekin and James Nunnally. Was a guy like Williams a mentor for you for your first season overseas?

Absolutely, those guys were very professional, extremely talented, and very welcoming.

You played your rookie season with the Detroit Pistons (NBA) playing 29 games averaging 2.6ppg. What do you remember being your wake up call being a rookie in the NBA?

Control what I can control is all I could do.

You had some real veterans on the team at the guard position like Ishmael Smith and Wayne Ellington. Was one of these guys or someone else like a mentor for you in your rookie season?

Ish Smith was always in my ear and teaching me things.

In your second pro season you played 6 NBA games and 2 G-League games. How tough was this season for you? How tough is it in general to continuing to make a name in the NBA when you can´t show your abilities? Does one lose the footing that one had established in your rookie season? Each season new young guys are coming into the league?

I understood it was a business and nothing personal. Just hooped like always.

In your third pro season and last in the NBA you played 5 games for Houston and 7 in the G-League. How tough was this season during Covid? Was Covid another experience that derailed your attempt to continue to try to establish yourself in the NBA?

Just keep trying to prove I deserve a chance to showcase my talent.

What was the best example that you saw in your 3 years in the NBA where you saw first hand that the NBA will always be a business first?

Just being able to watch veterans be so professional was truly amazing and unforgettable.

You played against so many great players like Dirk Nowitzki, Shai Gillgeous-Alexander Devin Booker or Chris Paul in the NBA, Was there one meeting on the court with a player that you will never forget?

I barely played so I just walked back to the locker rooms honestly.

You played 3 seasons at Creighton (NCAA) and 102 games. You made big jumps in your game each season. How did your game grow in those 3 years?

Locking in mentally and going at the other top guys we played against.

What do you remember from the great NIT Elite 8 run where you beat Alabama and Wagner but lost to BYU?

That was a huge jump in my role for the team going into the next season.

You then reached 2 NCAA tournaments losing to Kansas State and Rhode Island. What memories do you have of the big dance? S What was missing from going further?

Playing with with guys whose last year ended in that type of game and environment.

You had so many great games like against Depaul and St Johns in your senior year. What was your fondest moment on the court in the NCAA?

Simply winning the games and enjoying them with family friends and teammates.

How did head coach Greg Mcdermott groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Treated me like a son of his own. Couldn’t ask for more of him.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Marcus Foster?

ME!!

Who is the toughest player that you have faced in your career?

Marcus Foster!!

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Not fair to the rest of guys I’ve got to play with.

Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore?

MJ, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant.

Who is your Goat?

Kawhi Leonard

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I have not seen it. Couldn’t tell sorry but most people I know didn’t like the sequel.

Thanks Khyri for the chat