Walnut Creek, Calif. – The Ultimate Sports Association (USA) has announced that Ali Thomas has been promoted to the Director of Player Development at the John Muir Health Ultimate Fieldhouse.
As the Director of Player Development Thomas will take the helm of Ultimate’s Player Development program, assuming the day-to-day leadership for many of the responsibilities previously held by Ultimate’s Director of Basketball Development, Phil Galvin. Galvin has accepted a new position with the NBA - overseeing the NBA Basketball School in Dubai. In addition to his role with the NBA, Coach Galvin will also continue in an advisory role with the Ultimate Player Development Program.
Thomas began his tenure at the Fieldhouse as a Skill Development Coach in December, quickly becoming a player favorite thanks to his strong and successful relationship with the game as both a player and coach.
As the Director of Player Development Thomas will take the helm of Ultimate’s Player Development program, assuming the day-to-day leadership for many of the responsibilities previously held by Ultimate’s Director of Basketball Development, Phil Galvin. Galvin has accepted a new position with the NBA - overseeing the NBA Basketball School in Dubai. In addition to his role with the NBA, Coach Galvin will also continue in an advisory role with the Ultimate Player Development Program.
Thomas began his tenure at the Fieldhouse as a Skill Development Coach in December, quickly becoming a player favorite thanks to his strong and successful relationship with the game as both a player and coach.
“How lucky am I to wake up everyday and walk into the John Muir Health Ultimate Fieldhouse, one of the best facilities in the country?” said Thomas. “I truly love being in the gym, working with the youth and having the opportunity to use basketball as a conduit to teach life skills.”
A prep standout prep at St. Ignatius High School (SI), he was a Street & Smith honorable mention All-American his senior season. During his time at SI, Ali scored over 1,000 points in his career, starting for the varsity squad all four years. Upon graduating, he received a full ride to the University of San Francisco (USF) a NCAA Division I program, where he played from 1997 to 2001.
During his four seasons at USF, Thomas played in every game for the Dons, posting career averages of 10.5 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. He immediately established himself as a knock-down shooter from beyond the arc, nailing 75 three-pointers as a freshman, a single-season school record at the time, earning WCC Freshman of the Year honors as a result. He still ranks second on USF’s all-time three-pointers made list (his record of 642 was just broken this season by Jordan Rathino). For his career, Ali shot 36.8 percent from 3-point range in 118 games and scored 1,237 total points (still ranks 23rd all-time). Ali played in all 118 games the team participated in during his tenure.
During his four seasons at USF, Thomas played in every game for the Dons, posting career averages of 10.5 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. He immediately established himself as a knock-down shooter from beyond the arc, nailing 75 three-pointers as a freshman, a single-season school record at the time, earning WCC Freshman of the Year honors as a result. He still ranks second on USF’s all-time three-pointers made list (his record of 642 was just broken this season by Jordan Rathino). For his career, Ali shot 36.8 percent from 3-point range in 118 games and scored 1,237 total points (still ranks 23rd all-time). Ali played in all 118 games the team participated in during his tenure.
"It has been a pleasure to watch Ali's progression from an elite high school player at Saint Ignatius to a thousand point scorer at the University of San Francisco to a lengthy career as a professional basketball player," said USA Board President, Frank Allocco , Sr. "Ali is an outstanding trainer with great knowledge and passion for teaching and inspiring young players. We are thrilled to have him lead the Ultimate Player Development program at the Fieldhouse."
After graduating from USF, Thomas played professionally overseas for about decade before returning to the Bay Area to begin his coaching career at San Francisco City College (SFCC) from 2012-2014, where he coached future first-round NBA Draft pick Delon Wright. After his stint at SFCC, was a coach and administrator at St. Ignatius School, before accepting the head job at Napa High School in 2020. He’s also coached youth and AAU teams in the Bay Area and has consistently been working as a skills trainer since returning to California, including his current stint as a skill development coach at the Ultimate Fieldhouse.
Born in San Francisco Coach Thomas currently lives in Walnut Creek with his Wife Ramika and two children Delara Alexena and Yasmeen Alaia.
Born in San Francisco Coach Thomas currently lives in Walnut Creek with his Wife Ramika and two children Delara Alexena and Yasmeen Alaia.
“Ali is the perfect choice to continue to the development of our Player Development Program here at Fieldhouse, said Galvin.” He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role. I am looking forward to staying connected to the program at The Fieldhouse and will assist Ali from my new position in the NBA.”
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ALI
"It has been a pleasure to watch Ali's progression from an elite high school player at Saint Ignatius to a thousand point scorer at the University of San Francisco to a lengthy career as a professional basketball player. Ali is an outstanding trainer with great knowledge and passion for teaching and inspiring young players."
Frank Allocco, Sr.
Board President, Ultimate Sports Association
"Ali Thomas is a master level skills trainer and basketball mind. He was an all-star player for the University of San Francisco men's basketball program and is a San Francisco legend. He has played and coached all over the world. Coach Thomas works well with kids of all ages and abilities. He brings a special enthusiasm and passion for teaching the game of basketball to young players. Ali's dedication and commitment to fundamental skill development is rarely still seen in the modern era of coaching."
Matt Durell
Executive Director & Founder, Bay City Basketball
