John Thomas

John Thomas is in his fourth season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. As Vice President of Basketball Development, Thomas is responsible for managing and growing the organization’s Basketball Academy, mentoring current players through Player Programs and developing an NBA/WNBA Alumni program.

In the Basketball Academy space, Thomas leads a staff to enhance local camps, clinics, tournaments, and special events. He provides direction around implementing various subsets of the academy and oversees gameday academy experience. Thomas has starting to reintroduce the community impact of the organization’s basketball academy to address under resourced communities and bridging those communities in need

Using his relationships as a former Timberwolves, Thomas leads the organization’s efforts in fostering connections of former players with current players, partners, and fans. He helps supports our former players both in market and out of market in their post-career educational opportunities.

Thomas came to the Timberwolves and Lynx after spending four years as the National Training Manager for Life Time Fitness. Among Thomas’ duties during his tenure at Life Time was leading the basketball training division for Ultimate Hoops, which included the oversight of all programming, financials, operations, marketing and strategic partnerships for the program. Thomas has also worked in conjunction with the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) to help former NBA, WNBA, ABA players and Harlem Globetrotters transition into life after the game.

This is Thomas’ second stint with the Timberwolves after a professional playing career which included a season with his hometown Timberwolves (2004-05). A Minneapolis native and graduate of Roosevelt High School, Thomas was a four-year standout for the Golden Gophers (1993-97). Thomas logged a professional career that included NBA stops with Boston, Toronto, Minnesota, Memphis, Atlanta and New Jersey, in addition to playing professionally overseas in several countries. He was originally taken by the New York Knicks with the 25th overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft.

Thomas remains active in the Twin Cities community by volunteering his time to coach and mentor youth. He also serves on the executive board of Literacy Matters Foundation, currently serving as co-chair of the board as well as serves on the Boys and Girls Club Twin Cities Executive Board.

Thomas and his family currently reside in Eden Prairie, MN.