My fame might have saved me – NBA star opens up after confrontation with child wielding A-K 47

Two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas has opened up about a horror-filled incident he was caught in over the weekend where he and his friends came face to face with a child wielding a gun. The Phoenix Suns guard who shared the experience on social media believes his fame might have saved him, describing the event as a “life-changing moment.”

He recounted in a since-deleted post on X that while in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington on Monday, he and his group were approached by a child carrying an AK-47, as reported by TMZ. Thomas, a local hero, believes their lives were spared because the child recognized him, stating, “if it wasn’t for who I was and him recognizing me in my own city he probably woulda ended all of our lives.”

He used the frightening encounter as a warning to his nearly two million followers, expressing concern over how young kids are behaving and urging everyone to stay safe.

Thomas, who grew up in Tacoma and played college basketball at Washington, has been in the NBA since 2011, playing for teams including the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

“We just gotta pray for these young men!!!” Thomas added. “God was working yesterday frfr. Damn, it coulda all been over that quick smh. FOR NO REASON AT ALL!!!!!”

Thomas has not clarified why he has removed the posts on X. Thomas is a father of three with his wife, Kayla. He lost his sister Chyna in a tragic car crash in 2017 while playing for the Boston Celtics. After a stellar college career at the University of Washington, he was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the last pick of the 2011 NBA Draft’s second round.

Following three standout seasons in Sacramento, Thomas was traded to Phoenix, where he emerged as a top-scoring guard. In 2015, he was traded to Boston, where he earned All-Star honors twice as a Celtic, according to Daily Mail.

In 2017, Thomas was traded to Cleveland for Kyrie Irving, and his athleticism began to decline. Between 2018 and 2022, he played for several NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets.

He also had stints with the G League’s Grand Rapids Gold and Salt Lake City Stars.