Sixth Season at Duquesne
13th Season on Coach Dambrot’s Staff
Charles Thomas, who spent seven seasons on Keith Dambrot’s staff at Akron, is in is sixth year with the Dukes.
Thomas, who had an extensive professional playing career before moving into coaching, is heavily involved in recruiting and assists with all aspects of game preparation and on-court instruction.
Thomas joined the Akron staff after spending two seasons as an assistant head coach at Northwood University in Midland, Mich. Prior to his time at Northwood, he spent one season as an assistant coach at Radford University (2006-07).
Before joining the coaching ranks, Thomas spent 15 years playing professionally in the U.S. and abroad.
He started his pro career with the Detroit Pistons (1991-92) before spending six seasons in the CBA with the Grand Rapids Hoops, the Fort Wayne Fury and the Connecticut Pride. From 2000 to 2006, he averaged 17 points, five rebounds and five assists while playing in Australia and Sweden.
Thomas is a 2000 graduate of Eastern Michigan where he, and twin brother Carl, played for the Eagles from 1987-1991. Thomas, and then-assistant coach Keith Dambrot, helped EMU to its first Mid-American Conference Championship in 1988. He added an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance as a senior in 1991.
Charles and Carl, one of just nine sets of twins who have played in the NBA, were inducted to the Eastern Michigan Hall of Fame in 2021.
Thomas, who earned his bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communication from EMU, has six children, Ashley, Tré, Caydon, Carter, Chase and Channing.
