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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Khyri Thomas the ultimate role player

By Philip Rossman-Reich

PROVIDENCE, RI - JANUARY 20: Providence Friars guard Isaiah Jackson (44) defends Creighton Bluejays guard Khyri Thomas (2) during a college basketball game between Creighton Bluejays and Providence Friars on January 20, 2018, at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI. Providence defeated Creighton 85-71. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PROVIDENCE, RI - JANUARY 20: Providence Friars guard Isaiah Jackson (44) defends Creighton Bluejays guard Khyri Thomas (2) during a college basketball game between Creighton Bluejays and Providence Friars on January 20, 2018, at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI. Providence defeated Creighton 85-71. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Good

Khyri Thomas’ shooting numbers stand out on the page more than anything else. A team drafting Thomas is doing so specifically because of this skill. That is what will make him a NBA player.

Thomas shot 41.1 percent from beyond the arc last year on 4.6 3-point attempts per game. This all came with a 21.0 percent usage rate. He had a 62.9 percent effective field goal percentage.

Thomas was efficient and strong as a shooter and scorer at Creighton. And it was no fluke for his junior year.

He slowly gained a larger role and took to that larger role with vigor, increasing his production across the board. All while maintaining his efficiency. For his career, he shot 51.1 percent from the floor, shot a 40.6 percent from beyond the arc and shot a 58.9 percent effective field goal percentage.

He greatly improved his free throw percentage — a woeful 52.6 percent his freshman year to 78.8 percent his junior year — suggesting again his shot is still improving. With all that efficiency, it is easy to envision him becoming a solid role player.

Thomas simply is not going to make mistakes. Despite his prodigious scoring, he kept his usage rate low and would make the right play offensively. His efficiency is as much a product of that decisionmaking as his solid shooting.

Thomas also proved himself to be a pretty strong defender. His discipline is evident on this end too. He averaged 1.7 steals per game last year, but he was not a gambler.

Instead, he uses his length and athleticism to harass defenders. And his strength makes it hard to push him around.

At 6-foot-3 and as Creighton’s best defender, he defended point guards. And he was a tough guy to break down and beat. To many, he was one of the best defenders in college basketball. That makes him even more valuable.

His 6-foot-10.5 wingspan was among the largest measured for guards at the NBA Draft Combine. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Josh Okogie’s 7-foot wingspan was the largest among pure guards in the NBA Draft Combine database for 2018.

Thomas projects as a good 3-and-D player despite his small stature. And that is a defined role he already seems ready made to fill.