DeShaun Thomas has not been able to yet realize his dream of playing in the NBA. After being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2013, but being unable to make it in the NBA, he went on to go play basketball overseas to hone his game and take another shot at it later on. However, unlike many players he doesn’t see his time in Europe as wasted time, but an opportunity.
“Europe has been a great experience. Especially in Barcelona. Playing in Barcelona that was a great experience. Playing with the top team in Europe. And it was a great experience for me and my family. Good weather. Great food. You can’t beat it man. I would suggest to go there for a vacation. It’s good and relaxing.”
Everybody knows Barcelona is not only the number one basketball team in Europe, but the home of arguably the best athlete in the entire world in Lionel Messi. The Barcelona product is one of the top tickets in all of Europe, and those lucky enough to witness him play rave about it. However, in DeShaun Thomas case he had Messi watching him just as much as he was watching Messi.
“He (Messi) came and watched us a lot. We saw him a lot too. We actually practiced where they practiced at. It was a good experience. It was a great experience just to go over there and see that and then see the guy Messi. You know, one of the top guys in the world and see one of the top guys in the world and see how hard he works.”
Game respect game, and it’s clear that Thomas has much respect for Messi and the work he puts in. We’ll have to see if some of that work and skill rubbed off on Thomas as he makes another run at the NBA. If he can’t grab a roster spot this time around well he can always go back to beautiful Barcelona and eat some of that great food.