San Francisco senior guard Malik Thomas is one of the most dynamic scorers in the country. A proven shot-maker with deep range and a polished offensive game, Thomas can take over at any moment, making him a key weapon for the Dons.
Thomas has boosted his scoring average by over seven points per game from last year, ranking 22nd nationally in scoring this season. His impact has been crucial for San Francisco (18-6, 8-3 WCC), which currently sits in second place in the West Coast Conference standings.
“First and foremost, I want to give all glory to my Lord and Savior,” Thomas said. “Without him, none of this is possible. The work I put in the summer. Coming back as a senior guard, I know that my scoring ability was going to be a key factor in us winning this season.”
Thomas wasn’t always the go-to scoring threat he is today, capable of scoring at all three levels. His transformation into a top offensive option came through hard work and an opportunity.
A decorated high school player, Thomas was named the 2020-21 California High School Boys Gatorade Player of the Year. However, his collegiate journey got off to a less-than-ideal start.
The Fontana, California, native began his career at Southern California, where he saw limited playing time during his first two seasons. As a freshman, he averaged just two minutes per game across nine appearances. His role expanded slightly as a sophomore, logging 8.2 minutes per game in 27 contests off the bench. Seeking a greater opportunity to showcase his skills, Thomas entered the transfer portal in search of a larger role.
San Francisco’s coaching staff made Thomas a top priority, presenting a clear plan for how they envisioned his role and how they could help him reach his full potential. He was drawn to the program’s family atmosphere and believed it was the best place for him to thrive.
Thomas made the right decision to transfer to the Dons. He has developed into one of the best guards in the country these last two years.
Last season, Thomas averaged 12.4 points per game on 47.4% shooting, including 40% from 3, in 33 games. The experience he gained as a primary starter in 2023-24 has helped him take another step forward this season. In 23 games, he is averaging 19.7 points per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 39.3% from 3-point range. This season, he has scored 34 points in two games and 35 points once.
Thomas raves about his experience at San Francisco, crediting his faith for guiding him through the ups and downs of his collegiate journey.
“Experience is a huge thing,” Thomas said. “Coming in after playing limited minutes at USC, it has been a blessing to work my way up into a top player.”
Thomas anchors one of the nation’s most talented backcourts.
Senior guard Marcus Williams and freshman guard Tyrone Riley IV join Thomas in the starting lineup, ranking second and third on the team in scoring. Williams contributes 14.1 points per game, and Riley adds 9.9 points per contest.
Sophomore Ryan Beasley, last season’s WCC Freshman of the Year, provides a key spark off the bench, averaging 6.8 points in 24.7 minutes per game.
Playing alongside a talented backcourt has fueled Thomas and played a key role in San Francisco’s success this season.
“It has been amazing building this program,” Thomas said. “We are trying to get it back to being one of the top programs in the country. It has been amazing to be here.”
San Francisco has won 20-plus games in seven of the last eight seasons. This season, the Dons are positioned to have their best season in years.
The Dons host Saint Mary’s (20-3, 10-0 WCC) in a must-watch contest at 9 p.m. ET Thursday in San Francisco, with the game televised on ESPN2. It’s a crucial matchup with major implications for the conference standings as March approaches.
“Just continue to stay tuned,” Thomas said. “Don’t count us out. We are a great program on the rise. We are going to shock a lot of people this year.”
