In front of an eager crowd at Cobble Hill Cinemas, the Brooklyn Nets on Monday premiered the second installment of a three-episode series documenting a player’s journey to the team. This edition, titled “Cam Thomas’ NBA Journey: From Chesapeake to Brooklyn” spotlighted rising star guard Cam Thomas.
The theater was filled with youth basketball players from New Heights and the Public School Athletic League, alongside Thomas’ friends, family, teammate Nic Claxton, head coach Jordi Fernandez, general manager Sean Marks, and team employees — all gathered to celebrate the 23-year-old’s journey.
Thomas, selected in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft by the Nets, moved to Brooklyn and gradually became a fan-favorite. His appeal has extended beyond Brooklyn to the entire NBA, thanks in part to his loyal supporters, whom he affectionately calls his “Cam Thomas Stans.”
“I love the energy from my Cam Thomas stans,” Thomas said. “Having a support system from a different state or borough that you’re not even from, you can’t ask for anything more. It’s my second home right now, so I want to keep it up, keep putting on a show for y’all, and keep giving y’all someone to look up to.”
The 46-minute documentary highlighted Thomas’ close relationship with his mother, Leslie, who played a pivotal role in his development both on and off the court. Throughout his life, Leslie pushed Thomas to improve mentally and physically, believing in his potential every step of the way — a sentiment that resonated deeply with the audience.
Though born in Japan, Thomas grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia. Known for his quiet demeanor, he lets his skills on the court speak for him. Coaches interviewed in the documentary praised his scoring ability, consistently calling him one of the best scorers they had ever seen.
From Oscar F. Smith High School to Oak Hill Academy, LSU, and finally Brooklyn, Thomas has left a lasting impact not only on his teams but also on those he’s encountered. After the film, he shared lessons from his journey with the youth basketball players in attendance.
“Run your own race,” Thomas said. “Everyone gets recognized at different moments. I got recognized late in my basketball career. I didn’t really have the hype growing up. The advice I would give my younger self is to run your own race and just stick to what you love. If you love it, you’ll strive for it no matter where it is.”
Last month, the team debuted “From Braunschweig to Brooklyn,” the story of Nets point guard and German powerhouse Dennis Schröder.
