Inside The Nets

Cam Thomas on why he recognizes the 2023/24 season as his rookie year

Cam holds his third season as his first “true” season in the NBA.

Peter Sunjic

© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
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Cameron Thomas is succeeding in his third season, which he considers his rookie season. It is the first campaign where he’s getting extended minutes, even if he had breakout performances in the 2022/23 season after the Nets’ trades that sent Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving away.

In the 2023/24 season, Cam averages 21.5 points per game, more than double his 10.6 line from the previous season. He’s not just improving his scoring because Cam has evolved into a solid playmaker and defender.

“Yeah, 100 percent. They say year three, but it’s actually like my rookie season. Actually being a key player on the scouting report instead of my first two years where I was popping up sporadically and catching teams off guard,” Cam said after losing to the Pelicans. 

“This year, I see teams are game-planning for me. I get the best defender off the screen, they’re blitzing me more… I feel like this has definitely been a big year for me growing in that regard.”

Cam earned the coaches’ trust

During his first two years, Cam bided his time and waited for his minutes to jump up. Thomas took advantage and showed his potential as a spark plug. The mid-season 40-point streak helped the 22-year-old break through the mainstream and let people know the Nets will be okay without KD and Kyrie.

While Cam struggled with earning a locked-in starting spot under former coach Jacque Vaughn, interim head coach Kevin Ollie gave the former LSU Tiger the permanent starting guard spot. That’s why Cam regards it as his rookie year; he’s getting the opportunities he’s yearned for.

Cam will be a Net for a long time

At only 22 years old, Cam has secured his spot as the franchise cornerstone for the long-term future. He’s a superb scorer who’s growing into an offensive hub that any coach would be happy with.

General manager Sean Marks made the right choice when he selected Cam in 2021, as the gamble paid off. Thomas is only evolving into one of the best players on the Nets, which could be enticing enough for free agents and other players to request trades to Brooklyn just to play with the former LSU Tiger.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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