May 24, 2012
NEW YORK - Former San Diego State men's basketball player and current Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Malcolm Thomas was among five players named to the 2011-12 All-NBA D-League first team, as voted on the NBA D-League's 16 head coaches. Thomas also garnered all-rookie and all-defensive first-team honors.
Thomas saw action in 25 games during his rookie campaign, starting on 16 occasions. The 6-foot-9 forward finished the 2011-12 season averaging 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 61.9 percent from the floor. In the playoffs, he played in all seven of Los Angeles' games and increased his production from the regular season by averaging 17.9 points and 12.3 rebounds. Thomas also played an average of 34.6 minutes per game and shot 61.1 percent from the field for a D-Fenders team that reached the finals.
The two-time all-Mountain West Conference selection played two seasons at San Diego State and helped the Aztecs to back-to-back Mountain West titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances, including last year's run to the Sweet 16. In 2010-11, Thomas averaged 11.4 points and 8.1 rebounds as SDSU compiled a 34-3 record and rose to No. 4 in the national rankings.
Thomas finished his Aztec career as the school's second all-time leading shot blocker and ranks sixth in consecutive games started, eighth all-time in rebound average and field-goal percentage, 13th in rebounds, 15th in games started and 17th in free throws attempted.
2011-12 All-NBA D-League First Team
Position Player TeamGuard Blake Ahearn Reno BighornsGuard Justin Dentmon Austin TorosForward Malcolm Thomas Los Angeles D-FendersForward Edwin Ubiles Dakota WizardsCenter Greg Smith Rio Grande Valley Vipers2011-12 All-NBA D-League All-Rookie First Team
Position Player TeamGuard Dwight Buycks Tulsa 66ersGuard Cameron Jones Fort Wayne Mad AntsForward Edwin Ubiles Dakota WizardsForward Malcolm Thomas Los Angeles D-FendersCenter Greg Smith Rio Grande Valley Vipers2011-12 All-NBA D-League All-Defensive First Team
Position Player TeamGuard Stefhon Hannah Dakota WizardsGuard Jerry Smith Springfield ArmorForward Marcus Dove Dakota WizardsForward Malcolm Thomas Los Angeles D-FendersCenter Sean Williams Texas Legends