Before the domination of the Bulls dynasty, there were Detroit Pistons who claimed the throne. Thanks to the overall #1 pick of the 1981 draft, Isiah Thomas. Zeke dominated the professional career and collegiate, which his mother decided for. Mary Thomas raised 7 children in a small space in Chicago. She literally and figuratively was a movie star, and IT did everything to make her feel special. And because of the off-the-court duties as a son, a 13-year-old veteran calls Isiah Thomas as the “ultimate idol.”

Rafer Alston was born in New York but resonated with the story from Zeke. Alston, since his high school days, has donned the #11 jersey to show support for his idol. “When I got familiar with his story, his upbringing,  you realize that’s pretty much all of us in New York City,” although termed as a bad boy from Piston, Isiah Thomas.

Speaking on the Mark Jackson show, “I have a chance to not only help my basketball career but most importantly help my mom. And  it was so touching to understand the story man that it it made you want to be not just like him as a basketball player but you want to be the man that he’s become.” Mary Thomas was a courageous lady who controlled the streets.

She was surrounded by love from her son, even when it was a little over the top. One summer when he came home from Detroit. It was right after the movie “Pretty Woman” came out, he took her out to Prada in a limousine. Recalling his screensaver, he said, “I remember I took pictures, and one of my screensavers was of my mom standing outside next to the limousine, a cigarette in her mouth and Prada bags all around her.”

Her life had so many interesting points that a movie was based on her life. A “Mother’s Courage” starred Alfre Woodard. Even the star would win an Emmy for her portrayal of a tireless and spirited single mother raising her nine children on Chicago’s West Side and fighting City Hall to keep her.

Isiah Thomas had no clue about the selection

In the movie, a special scene occurs when gang members ask about Thomas’ boys joining them. In a not-expected way, Mary Thomas would pull out a shotgun and a necessary message. “There’s only one gang here, and that’s the Thomas gang.” Not only for her family but for the entire neighborhood, Mary Thomas would do the same.

She was also responsible for Isiah Thomas’ announcement. “My mom called the press conference. And said ‘My son has made his decision.‘ I was sitting right next to it like this[puts his head down]. She said ‘My son has decided that he’s going to Indiana University to play for Bob Knight.”

Even though the announcement message was from her, she decided to select Indiana over any other team. While growing up, they had limited supplies, sometimes even none to eat.  Yet her mother was firm, that Isiah Thomas would complete his education. She even got that written on a piece of paper. Ultimately, Zeke would graduate but was unable to attend the ceremony. However, his mother did attend and the ceremony fell on Mother’s Day.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.