MJ Thomas - 2026-27 Men's Basketball Roster
Roster
MJ Thomas
- Position:
- Forward
- Ht/Wt:
- 6-8 / 226
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Denton, Texas
- High School:
- Denton High School
- Prev School:
- New Orleans
UNLV CAREER
Thomas enters his first season as a Runnin' Rebel in 2026-27 after transferring from New Orleans ... A 6-foot-8 forward who played two seasons for the Privateers, establishing himself as one of the Southland Conference's top rebounders ... Appeared in 63 games with 57 starts during his first two collegiate seasons ... Averaged 10.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2025-26, ranking third in the Southland Conference and 78th nationally in rebounds per game ... Led the conference and ranked 39th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (3.16) ... Recorded seven double-doubles during his sophomore campaign after collecting six as a freshman ... Led the Southland in rebounding as a freshman in 2024-25, averaging 7.8 rebounds per game and ranking 76th nationally ... Scored a career-high 32 points at UIW during his freshman season, matching New Orleans' single-game scoring record by a freshman ... Also established a freshman school record with 18 rebounds in a conference game against East Texas A&M ... Signed with UNLV in 2026.
SOPHOMORE (2025-26 — NEW ORLEANS)
Appeared in 32 games with 30 starts during his second season with the Privateers ... Averaged 10.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26.7 minutes per game ... Shot 53.1 percent from the field (119-of-224) and 73.3 percent from the free-throw line (107-of-146) ... Finished the season with 347 points, 256 rebounds, 47 assists, 27 steals and 22 blocked shots ... Pulled down 101 offensive rebounds and 155 defensive rebounds ... Led the Southland Conference in offensive rebounds per game at 3.16, ranking 39th nationally ... Ranked third in the conference and 78th nationally in rebounds per game (8.0) ... His 256 total rebounds ranked second in the Southland and 83rd nationally ... Ranked second in the conference with seven double-doubles ... Scored in double figures 19 times, including a season-high 20 points ... Recorded nine games with 10 or more rebounds, including a career-high 19 ... During Southland Conference play, averaged 11.1 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 55.3 percent from the field ... Recorded 162 rebounds in 21 conference games, including 58 offensive rebounds ... Helped New Orleans finish 12-10 in Southland Conference play and advance to the conference tournament.
FRESHMAN (2024-25 — NEW ORLEANS)
Appeared in 31 games with 27 starts during his freshman season ... Averaged 11.2 points and a team-leading 7.8 rebounds per game ... Led the Southland Conference and ranked 76th nationally in rebounding average ... His 7.8 rebounds per game represented the highest average by a New Orleans player since the 2002-03 season ... Averaged 3.06 offensive rebounds per game, leading the Southland and ranking 41st nationally ... Ranked third in the conference in defensive rebounds per game at 4.77 ... Led the Southland with 243 total rebounds, ranking 55th nationally ... Recorded six double-doubles, finishing one shy of the conference lead ... Ranked third in the Southland in free-throw attempts and fourth in free throws made ... Scored a career-high 32 points at UIW, tying New Orleans' freshman single-game scoring record originally established in 1979 ... Was one of just eight freshmen nationally to score 32 or more points in a game during the season ... Pulled down 18 rebounds against East Texas A&M, establishing a school record for rebounds by a freshman in a conference game ... Was one of just three freshmen nationally to record 18 or more rebounds in a game ... Averaged 13.0 points and 8.8 rebounds during Southland Conference play ... Averaged 10.9 rebounds over his final 10 games of the season.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2024 graduate of Denton High School in Denton, Texas ... Played four years of varsity basketball at Calvert High School and Denton High School ... Played under head coach Michael Thomas, his father, throughout his high school career ... Averaged 17.0 points and 13.4 rebounds per game during his senior season at Denton ... Helped lead Calvert to the state championship game as a junior ... Compiled a 78-8 team record during his first three high school seasons at Calvert ... Finished his high school career with 2,323 points and more than 1,500 rebounds between Calvert and Denton ... Earned multiple All-State honors, including three All-State selections ... Named a state MVP and recognized among ESPN's Texas Top 25 ... Was a McDonald's All-American nominee ... Also competed in football and track and field ... Earned All-State recognition as a defensive end in football and was a regional champion in the 4x400-meter relay ... Also competed in the 400 meters and high jump ... Played club basketball for Drive Nation and Asak.
PERSONAL
Michael D. Thomas Jr. was born July 27, 2005, in Denton, Texas ... Goes by the nickname MJ ... The son of Nekia Godfrey and Michael Thomas Sr. ... Has six siblings: Derodney, Chase, Chasity, Bheir, Cameron and Dazmine ... His father coached him throughout his four years of varsity high school basketball ... Enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing video games, listening to music and working out ... Has aspirations of becoming a successful entrepreneur and business owner following his basketball career ... Credits his father as the biggest influence in his life, teaching him the importance of hard work, discipline, accountability and believing in himself ... Chose UNLV because of the opportunity to compete at a high level, develop his game and be part of a program with a strong basketball tradition ... Believes in head coach Josh Pastner and the coaching staff's vision for him and the program ... Also received recruiting interest from UTEP, Akron, UCF, Houston, New Mexico State, Louisiana, Georgia State, North Texas, Lamar, Little Rock, San Jose State, Southern Miss and Sacramento State ... Says his father continues to inspire him to become better.
GETTING TO KNOW MJ...
BASKETBALL NICKNAME:Â MJ
FAVORITE PRO ATHLETE:Â LeBron James
FAVORITE PRO TEAM:Â Dallas Cowboys
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AT UNLV:Â Working out with Bam
BIGGEST ATHLETIC THRILL:Â Breaking rebounding records and leading both teams in rebounds against Houston ... Also scoring 32 points at UIW to tie the New Orleans freshman scoring record
BIGGEST THRILL IN LIFE:Â Having my dad gain custody of me and helping change the direction of my life. I went from struggling in school and basketball to earning a Division I scholarship. That journey means more to me than any game or individual accomplishment.
ATHLETE I ADMIRE MOST & WHY:Â LeBron James because of his longevity, leadership, work ethic and the way he takes care of his body. I also admire how he uses basketball to create opportunities for his family and give back to his community.
CURRENT OR FORMER UNLV ATHLETE I ENJOY WATCHING:Â Larry Johnson
SINCE COMING TO UNLV I HAVE LEARNED:Â How passionate and supportive the fan base is. There's a real sense of pride around UNLV basketball, and it makes me excited to represent the Runnin' Rebels.
BEST THING ABOUT UNLV:Â The resources and opportunities. UNLV provides everything I need to develop on and off the court while giving me a big stage to compete, grow and showcase what I can do.
FAVORITE FOOD:Â Shrimp Alfredo
LEAST FAVORITE FOOD:Â Burgers
FAVORITE TV SHOW:Â Showtime
IF I COULD INVITE THREE PEOPLE IN HISTORY TO DINNER:Â LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Scottie Barnes
FAVORITE MOVIE:Â Like Mike
IF I DIDN'T PLAY BASKETBALL I WOULD:Â Be an entrepreneur and build my own business and brand
REASON I WEAR MY JERSEY NUMBER:Â It's the number I wore when I made it to the state championship in high school. It reminds me where I came from and what I'm working to accomplish again at the next level.
PREGAME SUPERSTITION:Â Always using the restroom before the game so I feel comfortable and ready to go
FAVORITE BOOK:Â Rebound and Crossover by Kwame Alexander
MOST FAMOUS PLAYER I'VE PLAYED WITH:Â Keonte George
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME:Â I'm actually pretty quiet and laid-back off the court. I like spending time with my family and keeping a small circle.
FAVORITE BASKETBALL MOVIE:Â Like Mike
FAVORITE PREGAME MEAL:Â Pasta
FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE ROAD:Â Sleep and recharge so I'm fresh and ready to compete
FAVORITE MOUNTAIN WEST CITY: Las Vegas — nothing beats playing at home in front of our fans
SPORT I WOULD PLAY IF NOT BASKETBALL:Â Football
FAVORITE PLACE I'VE VISITED:Â Miami
PLACE I'D MOST LIKE TO VISIT:Â Tokyo, Japan, to experience the culture and food
DREAM 1-ON-1 MATCHUP:Â LeBron James
IF I HAD TO GIVE UP ALL BUT ONE POSSESSION, I WOULD KEEP:Â My phone because it keeps me connected to my family
FAVORITE MUSICIAN:Â Rod Wave
ADVICE TO YOUNGSTERS:Â Don't let anybody tell you what you can't do. Believe in yourself, put in the work and prove it to yourself.
HOW I STARTED PLAYING BASKETBALL:Â My dad introduced me to the game, coached me and helped me fall in love with competing and getting better.
PETS GROWING UP:Â Dog
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE MYSELF:Â Relentless
WHO INSPIRES ME TO BE BETTER:Â My dad
FAVORITE COACH PASTNER SAYING:Â "Cool and casual will get you beat!"
SONG THAT PUTS ME IN A GOOD MOOD:Â Trust in God by Elevation Worship
FAVORITE APP:Â Instagram
TOP BUCKET LIST ITEM:Â Play in the NBA and be able to take care of my family for life
GO-TO ENERGY SNACK:Â M&M's
CELEBRITY I WOULD MOST LIKE TO MEET:Â Michael B. Jordan
Â
