9-year-old basketball star who slays on the court says LeBron James 'works as hard as me'
Karis Thomas’ moves are already catching the eye of colleges across the country.
— -- LeBron James can rest easy knowing he “works as hard” as this 9-year-old basketball star from Pittsburgh.
Karis Thomas is only 4 feet 6 inches tall, but the pint-sized point guard’s moves on the court are already catching the eye of colleges across the country.
One of her all-time favorite players is the Cleveland Cavaliers star because “he’s a great athlete and he dunks real crazy, which I love,” she said on “Good Morning America” before casually adding, “he works as hard as me,” which got a laugh from the show’s anchors.
The man who discovered Karis, coach Jamal Woodson, said the way they met is “an interesting story.”
“We were holding a very competitive clinic for high school athletes and in comes this 4-foot nothing with her dad, barging in, trying to get in, and I tried to stop them and her dad was not having it,” Woodson said on “GMA” today, standing alongside Karis and her proud dad, Randy Thomas. “He was like, ‘Let my daughter play for just a little bit.’ I did not want to do it, but he insisted, and so I did. As soon she set foot on the court, she outshined the entire clinic of about 75 people.”
Karis also gained the attention of the Harlem Globetrotters, one of whom surprised her on the court today with her own personal jersey. She was invited to attend the first game of their world tour on Dec. 26.
“I saw you got some amazing basketball skills,” Globetrotter Zeus McClurkin told her. “I have something very special for Karis, everybody. I want Karis to come out to our basketball game. We’re actually kicking off our season right here in Pittsburgh on Dec. 26. This is our 2018 world tour, and I want to have you come out and join the team.”
Her eyes lit up in excitement before spinning the Harlem Globetrotters basketball on her finger like a true boss.
“Best 9-year-old girl in the history of life,” her coach enthusiastically said after she showed off her skills.
“She makes me so proud. She works so hard,” her dad, Randy Thomas, added. “That’s my best friend. I love her to death.”