Bnei Herzliya begins their 23/24 Israeli league campaign on Wednesday when they welcome Maccabi Ramat Gan (18:30) in a barnburner of a matchup at the HaYovel Arena.

Dan Shamir’s squad needed to make a few changes to its roster due to the outbreak of the war as Chris Babb and Justin Simon departed while Frederic Bourdillon, Adrian Banks and Adonis Thomas came on board.

Swingman Thomas will have some big shoes to fill but there is absolutely no reason to think that the Memphis Tigers product won’t be able to star for Herzliya. The 30-year went undrafted, but did play with both the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA while also having featured in the G-League as well as in various European countries including Italy, Turkey, Slovenia, Germany and most recently Poland.

In high school, Thomas helped lead the USA Under-17 Team to the 2010 Gold Medal in Hamburg.

“Adonis is an experienced player who understands European basketball very well and has been a part of a number of teams that have succeeded over the years,” Herzliya head coach Dan Shamir said. “He’s a player that can give us a shooting option and size at the forward position and I hope that we will be able to integrate him into the team as quickly as possible.”

To learn more about Adonis Thomas, The Sports Rabbi was in touch with some of his former teammates!

Memphis Teammate Chris Crawford: Great scorer. Can score on all 3 levels very good 3 point shot excellent midrange shot, can play out of the post up, and has a very nice touch around the rim. Can also be a very good asset on the defensive end because he can guard multiple positions and can defend 1-4. Athletic sneaky athleticism. Bnei Herzliya is getting a great signing in Adonis Thomas not just because we played together, these are all facts.

G-League Teammates:
Khalif Wyatt: A great player and even better teammate. 3 level scorer who can defend 1 through 5.

Larry Williams: AD is one of the most versatile scorers I’ve played with. A true 3 level scorer. Aside from that he’s a great person – still to this day we remain the closest of friends. The fans of Herzliya are getting a true professional.

Larry Anderson: Great dude hard working very skilled. Good person though overall. Willing to try things and experience the culture as well.

Gary Forbes: Adonis is a great player and person. Always has been a hard worker and a great teammate. Super skilled player. Can shoot it, handle it, and score in different levels. At the rim, mid-range and long distance as well. I know he will do well.

Kelsey Barlow: First of all congrats to Adonis. Next I believe he’s a player with strong size that can shoot the three well. He also had the ability to post smaller guards. Competitor that wants to win.

Bayreuth Teammate Nik Raivio: A very friendly guy and great teammate. A physically very big strong body mixed with great perimeter skills. I played with him 4 years ago and haven’t seen him play in a long time however. But was impressed with his talent as his teammate.

Gravelines Teammate Hamady Ndiaye: Had Adonis very briefly in Gravelines the Covid season that we never got to finish. Plays very hard and sticks to his role. Great guy to have on a squad wasn’t any trouble at all to get along with.

Mineros Teammates:
Jordan Williams: My guy AD always has been a talented big guard who can do it all and defend 1-4. He’s a good person as well and team will be happy to have him.

Joaquin Villanueva: He is strong, good in transition. Decent jumper. Here in Mexico he could switch 2 to 4 positions.
Astana Teammate Maxim Marchuk: He can play defense, shoot and out of gym he’s a good man.

Krka Teammates
Miha Lapornik: Really good guy in the locker room and on the court…and also good player, he can do a bit of everything…

Luka Medved: Great player and even greater person!

Jurij Macura: From a basketball perspective he can really help a club have a better offense through his scoring and also a little playmaking as a PF or SF. Great shooting ability and scoring mentality with good handles for such a size. He can post up pretty much anybody or face up taller slower opponents. Defensively he is good enough not to be a problem for any team, he will do his job on that side of the court as well.

Personally he is a very good guy. I’ve stayed in touch with him after that season we played together and he will for sure connect with other players well. Just an all around a great guy to play with.

Jan Kosi: I have nothing but good things to say about him. One of the most professional players I played with. When he joined our team he made us all better on and off the court. Any team would be lucky to have him!

Hasahn French: Great teammate and an even better player a true professional.

TJ Gibbs: AD is a great player. Extremely skilled and strong! He brings great energy and is always a positive influence on the game and the teams energy! He’s my first vet and really showed me the European ropes! Great pick up for Herzilya.

Ostrow Teammates
Nemanja Djurisic: He’s obviously my very good friend so all the best I can say about him personally. As a player he’s somebody who can play multiple positions, very talented guy, tries mid ranges and post, he’s one of the best mid range fadeaway shooters I’ve ever met. Good three point, very good in transition, strong physically, can help on rebounding and help push the ball, he can do a lot of thing if he’s in the right setup and environment, he can really thrive as a player. Personally a very funny guy, calm, and I think he’ll be a great teammate over there.

Filip Siewruk: He’s elite player for sure, with high IQ, understanding of the game, lots of experience. Great and funny guy, so great teammate. He was working hard in Ostrow, always competitive and wanting to win. High communication skills on the court.

Quentin Snider: He’s a great leader and one of the best mentors I had playing overseas. He’s a great player to play with and a great teammate to be around.