Jamel Thomas | Brooklyn Born Basketball Star Finds Life After The NBA Overseas

Jamel Thomas / 1999 Upper Deck SP

After being shuffled many NBA teams, Jamel Thomas ended up with his cousin, Stephon Marbury on the New Jersey Nets.

Thomas played for the Nets during the 2000-2001 season alongside Marbury. While he didn't grow up dreaming to play in the NBA with his cousin, it was still an experience he enjoyed.

“Playing [with] my Steph was just like playing in high school together,” Thomas said via e-mail. “We never dreamt about playing together in the NBA, but we both believed that we were going to get there through hard work and respect.”

He felt he had to represent New York City, and his home borough of Brooklyn wherever he played.

“Where ever you go you always have to put on for your city and mine is ‘The Mecca’,” he said. “Playing for your hometown makes you feel like a hero and it inspires the ones that wants to play the game. “

The hard work and respect Thomas had was due to his excellent high school and college experience. His days at Brooklyn's Lincoln High School set him up to achieve bigger things during college.

“During my Lincoln days I had a very good coach who instilled hard work in all of his players,” he said. “I was a good player on the team so I got a little extra attention. While I played for the NYC Gauchos I was able to play small forward my true position. So playing both positions before going to Providence made me a valuable player because I was able to do it all.”

His success in high school and college eventually led him to the NBA where he played against some of the best in the world. The rough basketball scene during the 80s and 90s shaped his mental toughness to play the game.

“During the 80’s and 90’s basketball was very tough,” he said. “You needed heart and skill to play. If you weren’t good other players and older players will let you know and that forces you to work on your game.”

Unfortunately, his career in the NBA only lasted for two years, signing contracts with five different teams. He ultimately found success playing overseas until 2009 in countries like Turkey and Italy.

Being Tiny in A Land of Giants Did Not Stop Earl Boykins From Pursuing a Lengthy NBA Career

Earl Boykins / Wikimedia Commons

For Earl Boykins, 1998 marked the beginning of a long journey in the NBA. Although going undrafted, Earl Boykins went on to average 8.9 points, 3.2 assists and 1.3 rebounds per game in his 13 season career. This was not easy for him as he only stood 5’5’ in the land of seven-foot giants. Despite his size disadvantage, Boykins had quite the career.

Boykins attended Eastern Michigan University, where he dominated. He made All Mid-Conference first team in his junior and senior year. He also was second in NCAA scoring in his senior year, averaging 26.8 points per game. Eastern Michigan retired his jersey in 2011.

Earl Boykins signed with the New Jersey Nets for a short time during the 1999 NBA season. He had been an unrestricted free agent since going undrafted. Boykins made his NBA debut with New Jersey, playing only five games (averaging 4.2 points), before the Nets released him. He signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers to finish the 1999 season.

He went through quite a few teams, but Boykins began to play more when he reached the Los Angeles Clippers. But it wasn't until 2003 with the Denver Nuggets where Boykins had full playing time and was able to display his value. He credited his father for developing his confidence.

“Because of my height, I became very skilled and I always had confidence,” Boykins said to Charles Post of The Eastern Echo. “My dad taught me the game. Growing up, he used to take me to the gym and I played basketball a lot. At an early age he instilled it in me to never be afraid. Never let anyone intimidate me.”

Boykins made a 13- year career going undrafted and getting cut by the Nets after only five games. He learned to work hard to overcome the height difference throughout his career.

”If I was taller, I probably wouldn’t have worked as hard or gotten as far.” Boykins said to Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times.

Boykins showed that with hard work and talent, nothing will stop you from succeeding. His story continues to be an inspiration to many who believe they aren’t good enough for their career interests.