UMBC

Aki Thomas returns for his fourth season on the bench for the Retrievers and will reprise his role as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator. He had previously served as an assistant coach at Howard University from 2004-07. 

Thomas played professionally in Venezuela before accepting the position at Howard under then-head coach Frankie Allen.  Prior to that, Thomas was a standout for the Bison in 2000-01, when he helped lead the team to an 18-13 mark and the finals of the MEAC Tournament.  Thomas averaged almost 12 points and eight rebounds per game en route to being named to the All-MEAC second team.

Before coming to Howard, Thomas played for three seasons at the University of Colorado. His tenure with the Buffaloes was highlighted by a selection to the All-Tournament Team of the 1998 Puerto Rico Shootout.  He was a member of a pair of CU teams which earned berths to the NIT and he was selected to the Commissioner’s Big 12 All-Academic Team.

Thomas was a two-time league rebounding champion in the Venezuelan LPB League (2003-04) and earned the same title during a stint in the Columbian Federation Cup League (2004). The New York, N.Y., native played his prep ball at Manhattan Center, where he was selected All-City his junior and senior seasons.  He was also named Manhattan PSAL Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-America during his senior campaign.