Isaiah Thomas reminded everybody in Vancouver that the scoring touch never really left.
A video from the Ball Don’t Stop Pro-Am went viral after the former Boston Celtics guard put up 56 points against a group of young talents. The clip was captioned: “Isaiah Thomas went off for 56 points at the Ball Don't Stop Pro-Am in Vancouver tonight (goat emoji). The epitome of a pure hooper,”
Thomas has long been a familiar face to Canadian fans, and they made that clear again in 2023 when he showed up for the same event and drew an ovation. That night, he faced Payton Pitchard and scored 26 points.
The Ball Don’t Stop Pro-Am has been running since 2016 and has built a reputation as Canada’s summer basketball showcase, bringing together players from high schools, colleges and top professional leagues from around the world in a high-energy, high-competition setting.
Thomas hasn’t appeared in the NBA since the 2023-24 season with the Phoenix Suns. According to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, he has since taken on a scouting role with the Celtics, working as a pro and college scout for his former team.
He has already been active in that capacity this year, helping the franchise scout and interview young players during the NBA Combine.
Isaiah Thomas went off for 56 points at the Ball Don't Stop Pro-Am in Vancouver tonight 🐐 The epitome of a pure hooper.
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) August 23, 2026
🎥 @benmade1t pic.twitter.com/UO5PxNmlmE
Boston is still where Thomas made his biggest mark. In his time with the Celtics, he earned two NBA All-Star selections and a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. He also finished No. 5 in NBA MVP voting for the 2016-17 season.
But that same year, a hip injury changed the course of his career, and he was never able to fully shake the problems that followed. After Boston, Thomas moved through five teams over the next five NBA seasons he played.
Even now, though, the game remains at the center of his life. And on this night in Vancouver, he looked every bit like a player who can still take over a gym.
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