I’ll be at home with the Flyers - Thomas

"Playing in Kongsberg was a great experience and I felt like my goal last season was to win a championship.

"Throughout my career I’ve been a great defender and to be named defensive player of the year was an honour.

"I spoke to Coach around three times before I signed and he told me that he’s planning on having a bigger lineup this year.

"Everywhere I’ve been so far I’ve been playing the three spot, but he really wants me to be more of a two this year and he sees that at my primary position - and I agree with that.

“He really made me feel comfortable and I think I fit right into the system that he wants us to play.”

Thomas has scored more than 1,000 career points in NCAA Division One, averaging 8.4 points and 3.2 rebounds during his four-year spell at Mississippi State University.

The 6ft5in American had a stint in the Slovenian SKL, before becoming the second player to join the Flyers from Kongsberg since Brandon Boggs in 2016.

"I actually talked to Brandon last week over the phone and he said that his time in Bristol was really great,” added Thomas.

"He told me that the Flyers fans were amazing, so I’m really looking forward to playing in front of them.

"I know the BBL is a very physical league, but I think that fits my description perfectly.

"I like to 'run and gun' - that’s my style of play and I’ve been playing that way my whole life. I’m one of those guys that brings a lot of energy to the team."

Thomas will link up with his new Flyers team-mates at the end of August, as preparations ramp up for the club’s fifth season in the British Basketball League.