Coach Gregory Thomas Biography

Coach Gregory Thomas, a native of Columbia, Missouri, comes from family roots in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Fulton. Raised on faith, hard work, character, integrity, and family, he developed an early passion for basketball, education, and serving his country.

Gregory Thomas excelled academically, graduating from Rock Bridge High School and Post University with an Associate of Arts in Sports Management. Alongside his education, he served as a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, where he has proudly dedicated 26 years and continues to serve.

His basketball career began on the varsity team at Rock Bridge High School. He later played overseas for the Atsugi Naval Base Team in Japan and competed in semi-professional football as a running back for the Bellingham Bulldogs in Washington.

Coach Thomas began his coaching career in 2005–2006 at Zama High School, leading the junior varsity team to its first winning season in over a decade. From 2007–2013, he served as a varsity assistant at Oak Harbor High School. From 2014–2017, he was head coach at Irving Middle School in Norman, Oklahoma, winning back-to-back 7th- and 8th-grade championships.

Coach Thomas began his AAU career with Norman Elite (2015–2017), leading teams to multiple championships and the No. 1 ranking in Oklahoma. After moving to California, he coached the CBA Ballers in Moreno Valley, leading 12U–14U teams to success throughout the Inland Empire and Los Angeles.

In 2020, Coach Thomas relocated to Aurora, Colorado, where he became eighth-grade head coach at Aurora Hills Middle School, leading the team to an undefeated regular season and a near-championship finish. He later joined Cherokee Trail High School, guiding the freshman team to a 16-3 record and the 6A Centennial League Championship in 2022-23. Promoted to JV head coach in 2023-24, he again posted a 16-3 record and won another 6A JV Centennial League Championship.

Coach Thomas also founded the CBA Ballers Colorado Chapter (2021-2024), serving as the director and head coach for the 13u, 14u, and 15u teams, winning championships at multiple tournaments both in and out of state. CBA Ballers is part of the Prep Hoops Circuit and Recruit Looks Circuit.

Coach Thomas is married with three children and believes that leading by example is the key to success at home, on the basketball court, and in life.