Nigel Thomas joined North Carolina Central University in 2019 after five years at North Carolina Wesleyan as an assistant coach.
The Battling Bishops were highly successful while he was there, as they captured three USA South Conference regular-season championships in 2016, 2018, and 2019. He also led Wesleyan's SAAC and Community Service efforts.
Prior to coaching at NC Wesleyan, Thomas coached three seasons at his alma mater of Langston University, and helped lead a turnaround that resulted in three consecutive Red River Conference Tournament appearances. Off the court, the Lions achieved a cumulative team grade point average of 3.0 in each semester of his three years as head coach.
Thomas started his coaching career at Prairie State College, serving as an assistant coach for five seasons, beginning in 2003. With the Pioneers, he functioned as the program’s recruiting coordinator, and developed a skill instruction program.
Additionally, he has worked with some of the top coaches in the NCAA, including University of St. Louis Head Men's Basketball Coach Travis Ford and Duke Head Men's Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Thomas has also recently worked camps at Virginia Tech University (Buzz Williams- Head Coach), North Carolina State University and Winthrop University (S.C.). In addition, Thomas has helped with the Paul Biancardi Skills Camp as well as the John Wall and Kevin Durant Camps.
Thomas played collegiately for four seasons as a point guard at Langston from 1999-2003.
Thomas earned his B.A. in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Langston in 2003 and is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Black Coaches Association and is the co-founder of the Elite Skills Basketball Academy, which was established in Park Forest, Ill. in May of 2008. He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Thomas and his wife Carrie have three daughters: Jaidyn, Jazelle, and Jurnee.
