Wicks Tabs Chris Thomas as Assistant Coach for Cowboy Basketball

He brings over 20 years of coaching experience

LARAMIE, Wyo.  (April 21, 2025) – Cowboy basketball head coach Sundance Wicks announced the addition of Chris Thomas as an assistant coach to the program on Monday. A veteran in the coaching ranks with over 20 years of experience, Thomas comes to Wyoming after serving as head coach of KK Cibona Zagreb of the Adriatic Basketball League.

"When it comes to hiring, I am constantly seeking out energy givers, men of high intentionality, artists of their craft, enemies of the status quo and high character humans who know what it takes to compete and win at the highest level,” Wicks said.  “For this assistant I was specifically targeting an elite offensive mind and a coach who could add next level professional experience to our program.  Cue Coach Chris Thomas.  I have known CT since 2007 when he was an advanced scout for the Chicago Bulls.  From the moment our paths crossed I knew three things:  1.) He was an outstanding human being with incredible juice 2.) He saw the game of basketball in a different way and was a gifted basketball mind 3.) He was going to be someone I would work with one day.  That day has come!  Coach Thomas is such a great hire for what we want to do here at Wyoming.  Chris has been in rooms and worked with players and coaches that most of us could only dream.  CT has been heavily involved in strategy and scheme meetings with Nick Nurse and the Toronto Raptors as well as the pre-draft evaluation process and war room meetings regarding the #1 pick of Derrick Rose.  Last, but certainly not least, he assisted in creating the “culture of accountability” for the world champion Golden State Warriors. His journey as a professional head coach, an NBA assistant for the Bulls & Warriors, and offensive coordinator for the G-League 905 Raptors will add immediate value to our Cowboy Culture.  Chris and his fiancé Karen will be an outstanding addition to our wild west family. Please help me welcome Coach Thomas to Cowboy Country.”

Thomas has aided in the development of NBA MVP’s Stephen Curry and Derrick Rose. He has also worked with eight NBA All-Stars during his time with the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, and Toronto Raptors.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity,” Thomas said.  “For me, it is very important to work for people you trust and care about.  I have known Coach Wicks for almost 20 years, and I believe in his vision for this program both on and off the court.  Coach Wicks is an incredibly passionate coach and lives the game of basketball every day.  I am thrilled to be able to work for him and this amazing staff to help continue to build something special here at Wyoming.”

Thomas went overseas coaching in the ABL last season in Croatia after serving as an assistant coach at Long Island University from 2022-2024. During his time at LIU, Thomas helped recruit the top-ranked recruiting class in the NEC in both 2023 and 2024.

Prior to his time at LIU, Thomas served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for Raptors 905 of the NBA G-League in 2022. He helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals. He was the head coach and general manager for the Guaynabo Mets in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. Thomas guided all-league players David Stockton, Angel Nunez, Renaldo Balkman and Tony Bishop. Under his guidance, the team produced the longest winning streak of any team in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN).

He has also spent time as a coach in professional leagues in Japan, Slovenia, Malaysia, China, and Canada. He was an assistant coach for the Slovenian Men’s National Team in 2023 and 2014.

Thomas spent numerous years in the NBA as an advance scout with the Golden State Warriors helping lead the team to back-to-back playoff appearances from 2012-2014 for the first time in over 20 years. He also served in the same role with the Chicago Bulls from 2007-2009, where he also served as a video coordinator for a season.

Thomas also has collegiate coaching experience at Lake Superior State in 2010-11 along with Miami of Ohio and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Thomas graduated from the University of Dayton, majoring in Sport Management and Journalism.