Kenny Thomas

Who is Kenny Thomas?

Kenneth Cornelius "Kenny" Thomas is an American former professional basketball player.

He attended Austin High School, in El Paso, Texas, for three seasons before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico to play for Albuquerque High School during his senior season. Averaging 25.2 points and 16.9 rebounds each game, Thomas helped Albuquerque to a 22-3 record and Class 4A state title. Parade named him a boys' basketball All-American in 1995.

Thomas attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, one of the highest-profile recruits to ever attend the school. He is second on the Lobos' all-time scoring list, career blocks list, and career dunks list, and leads the school's lists in career rebounds, freshman scoring and rebounding, and personal fouls for a season and career. Thomas is one of five Lobos to be selected as an All-American.

The Houston Rockets selected Thomas as the 22nd pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. He led his team in rebounds for the 1999–2000 season, making him one of only two rookies to do so. Thomas was consistently among the team leaders in rebounds and blocked shots before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2002–03 season.