Isaiah Thomas: “If I can do it, you really can”

By Giorgos Tsiros

Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated wrote of Isaiah Thomas: “You have to admire his innate desire to play basketball. It never wanes. Motivates him every day. Keeps him dreaming.” Watching him step into the Sports Hall at Costa Navarino, welcomed with cheers from children, teens, parents, and local school teams, you could see exactly what they meant. Invited by the Costa Navarino NBA Basketball School to share insights on basketball and play alongside young visitors of all ages, Thomas connected. He had fun. And in those moments, his love for the game became something you could feel in the room.

Born in Tacoma, Washington, and raised in a basketball-rich culture, Thomas was named after another Isaiah Thomas, the legendary point guard for the Detroit Pistons, because of a bet his father lost. Inspired by players like Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford, and Jason Terry, he grew up knowing that, as a shorter guard, he’d need to be perfect every time he stepped on the floor. “Anytime I’m on the court,” he says, “I feel just as big as the biggest guy out there … I feel like I’m the tallest guy out there.”

That self-belief took him far. Despite being the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft at 60th overall, he rose to become a two-time All-Star and the heart of the Boston Celtics. His most unforgettable performance came during the 2017 playoffs, when he dropped 53 points on what would have been his late sister’s birthday, just weeks after she was killed in a car accident. Grieving, injured and still playing through it all, Thomas turned in the game of his life.

What followed changed everything: a devastating hip injury, miscommunication, missed contracts and a fall from NBA superstardom. “I put my body, my future and my heart on the line,” he says. “I don’t regret it, but I wish someone had been honest with me.” He’s referring to the period after his 2017 playoff run, when the severity of his injury wasn’t fully communicated, costing him not just a Supermax deal but the continued trajectory of his career. It wasn’t until the pandemic that he opted for an innovative procedure, one that finally gave him a second chance to play pain-free.

Still, Thomas carries no bitterness. He’s thankful. Smiling. A proud family man and a vocal mentor for the next generation of underdogs. Through his production company, Slow Grind Media, he hopes to one day tell his full story on screen. For now, he shares it in person, with kids who, like him, may be told they’re too small, too limited, too unlikely to make it. And yet, here he is. Living proof that passion beats prediction. That heart can outlast height. That resilience matters.

What an amazing setting!

It was Isaiah Thomas’ first time in Greece, and Costa Navarino made quite the impression. “The hospitality has been top of the line. The setting has been amazing,” Thomas said, relaxed and smiling after a day on the court. “I’ve only been here a couple of days, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Though his schedule revolved around the Costa Navarino NBA Basketball School, Isaiah and his wife had already begun soaking up the experience. “We haven’t done much outside the court yet, but we will today,” he said. “We’re just trying to enjoy the weather, the people, and everything this place has to offer.”

For Isaiah, the experience at the Costa Navarino NBA Basketball School was as memorable for him as it was for the kids. “The concept is amazing. I wish they had something like this in the States,” he said. “It’s super cool for the kids to be a part of. The facility really surprised me.”

Invited to play, coach and connect, Thomas spent the day on court with young visitors and local players, some as young as eight, others already in their mid-teens. “Anytime I walk into a gym, I’m looking to see who’s good, who’s walking around like they’re the top dog. There was real talent here — boys and girls.”

But what stood out most wasn’t just the skill; it was the energy. “To put a smile on a kid’s face, to play some ball and just have fun with them … That was super fun for me,” he said. And yes, some of them came prepared with tough questions. “They actually asked stuff trickier than a journalist!” he laughed. “But I loved it. I remember being that age, wanting to ask everything. It felt good to be on the other side of that now.”

Believing When No One Else Does

Standing just 1.75 meters tall, Isaiah Thomas has spent his entire basketball life proving that heart can outplay height. “Yeah, for sure,” he says, when asked if being the little guy became part of his identity. “I’ve come to realize that my purpose is to inspire. To show kids that if I can do it, they really can.”

Growing up, only his parents believed he’d make it to the NBA. “A lot of kids are going through the same thing, being told they’re too small, or that this is a big man’s sport,” he says. “But if you put your mind and your effort into it every day, and truly believe in yourself; that’s half the battle.”

That belief, he stresses, has to come from within. “Because when you’re small, nobody’s gonna believe in you.” His career has been about opening that door for others like him. “If I can help just one small guy make it, I’ve done my job.”

But with inspiration comes honesty: it’s tough. “There’s no room for error. It sucks, but that’s life. You’ve got to deal with it and adjust,” he says. His message to the younger generation is simple:

“If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. Walk into every gym like you’re the best. If you’ve put in the work, you’ll be ready when your moment comes.”

What Keeps Him Going

Isaiah Thomas has lived through everything professional sports can throw at a person: injury, rejection, doubt, personal loss. And still, what remains is love. “When I was younger, what motivated me was the doubt – the people who counted me out,” he says. “But as I got older, it just became about love. I come to the gym every day because I love it. I’ve given this game my blood, sweat, and tears, because I love it.”

That love, he says, is what he now looks for in others. “Who really loves the game? Because when you love something, you’ll do whatever it takes. And that’s what I’ve done my whole career. Whatever it took.”

He knows his story resonates, not because it’s dramatic, but because it’s relatable. “I’m five-nine. I’m the size of a regular person,” he says. “What I go through is what most kids will go through. That’s why my story hits — because it’s real.” The lesson he passes down is the same one that’s guided him: believe in yourself fully. Don’t allow doubt to creep in. Not just in basketball, but in life, too.

But he also doesn’t sugarcoat the journey. One injury, one piece of bad luck, can change everything, and he knows that from experience. “There’s definitely some luck involved. You can work as hard as anyone and still not make it if the timing’s not right,” he says. “But when that luck shows up, you’ve got to grab it and run with it.”

Does he believe basketball is fair? “Absolutely not. Especially if you’re small. Nothing is handed to you, not a chance, not even a look. You’ve got to beat that door down. And when your moment comes, you’ve got to be ready to own it. That’s life. It’s never going to be fair. And the sooner you accept that, the more ready you’ll be to succeed.”

Asked what made him fall in love with basketball in the first place, his answer is immediate. “I don’t even know,” he says, smiling. “It’s just always been there. Since I was a kid, a basketball was the first thing I ever loved. The feeling I had holding it at eight, nine years old, it’s the same feeling I have now, walking into a gym at 36. It’s always given me confidence, it’s always made me smile. It’s hard to explain, but since I can remember, basketball has done that for me.”

The Game, Giannis, and What’s Next

Since entering the NBA in 2011, Isaiah Thomas has watched the game change dramatically. “It’s completely different now,” he says. “It’s all about threes. The pace is faster. And it’s positionless; anyone can do anything.” He points to Nikola Jokić as the prime example: a big man who not only shoots but brings the ball up and runs the offense. “That would’ve been unheard of ten years ago. Now, bigs handle the ball, shoot, pass. The talent level is the highest it’s ever been. I don’t know if it’s always the ‘right’ way to play, but it’s definitely fun to watch.”

Asked about Greece’s own superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thomas doesn’t hesitate. “Giannis is amazing. One of the best to ever play. I remember when he came into the league; nobody thought he’d become this. Two-time MVP, multiple-time All-Star. He’s had a huge impact, not just in the US but worldwide.” Could he see himself playing alongside him? “Definitely. My game adjusts to anybody, and he’d be easy to play with. He does it all.”

As for what comes next, he keeps it open and hopeful. “I want to play one more year. I’m still working toward that… another shot in the NBA. But I’m not closing any doors. Maybe EuroLeague. One more year, and then we’ll figure out what’s next.”

In the meantime, he’s simply enjoying the moment. “The culture, the experience, the people of Greece. It’s super cool to be here. I’m really thankful.”

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.