Former Washington Basketball point guard Isaiah Thomas is still breaking down barriers. His latest effort may be his greatest yet
Former Washington Basketball point guard Isaiah Thomas has heard it all. Too small to play in the NBA. Not good enough to start on an NCAA basketball team. Each time the words and opinions of “experts” create walls and barriers for the young man, he breaks them down. He has begun to attract respect for all he does for the Boston Celtics.
Wow, Isaiah Thomas finished 5th in MVP voting, behind only Russ, Harden, Kawhi, LeBron.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) June 27, 2017
He is lauded for his community work.
The @NBA names @Isaiah_Thomas the 2017 NBA Cares Community Assist Award recipient recognizing his ongoing work off the parquet! #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/I74m8j4yZU
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 27, 2017
ESPN Body Issue 2017
But the most surprising thing he has done since joining the NBA?
Body Issue 2017 is coming soon.
— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2017
Our next cover star? @Isaiah_Thomas. pic.twitter.com/jz5H5uUb9k
He is posing in the annual ESPN Body Issue.
These are the athletes baring it all in ESPN’s Body Issue this year https://t.co/RaV4Pfun8g
— Out of Bounds (@SI_outofbounds) June 27, 2017
Athletes living sculptures.
Athletes work ridiculously long hours each day to ready their body for the grueling demands of professional competition. It’s not just a weekend at the gym or spa. It’s years of work, dedicated work, to achieve and maintain optimal playing weight, strength, speed, and endurance.
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The human form has long been celebrated in sculptures and paintings as artwork. However, the ESPN Body Issue is relatively new, now celebrating its ninth year of placing disrobed athletes in front of cameras for its subscribers.
So why did Isaiah Thomas agree to the shoot? They asked him to do it.
Paying it forward
It’s not about personal fame or glory for Thomas. The NBA gives him plenty of that. It’s about knocking down the barriers. He has heard “you can’t do that” all his life. Now, he leads by example that the only true barrier is the one inside. His lack of height merely taught him that to play in the NBA, he must be unquestionably better. And he is.
In a modern era of negativity from so many sides, this is heartwarming. This is not about who said he couldn’t. This is about Thomas proving he can, again and again. Not only to prove to future generations that anything is possible, but to place him into a role where he can give so much back.
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The Tacoma Washington native is proud of his heritage. In the photo shoot, his “Tac Town” tattoo is boldly displayed on his shoulder blade. Below that, he has a Washington State image with area code 253. Even further below that, he has the words “Born and Raised”.
Thomas bares it all for the 2017 ESPN Body issue. But more revealing is the athlete who continues to bare his soul so that the future is a little brighter for all.