Going to Lakers in NBA Draft makes dream come true for Quaker Valley graduate Adou Thiero

A lifelong dream has become reality for Quaker Valley graduate Adou Thiero.

It’s taken a lot of hard work, preparation and dedication to his craft.

Thiero, who led the Quakers to a WPIAL title in 2021-22 by averaging 23.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.9 steals and 2.3 blocks per game, was named the TribLive HSSN Boys Basketball Player of the Year that season.

But he could not have imagined he’d ever be a teammate of NBA superstars LeBron James or Lukic Doncic.

The 6-foot-8, 220-pound Thiero was selected June 26 in the NBA Draft with the 36th pick by the 17-time champion Los Angeles Lakers, arguably one of the most iconic franchises in NBA history.

“Feeling good — blessed, happy,” Thiero told ESPN after the selection. “Just thankful, grateful.”

His dad, Almany, standing next to him at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., added, “I’m super proud of him. He’s worked all his life for this moment.”

According to the Lexington-Herald Leader, one scout said Thiero is athletic and will catch lob passes from Doncic. The QV hoops product has the potential to address the Lakers’ need for athleticism at the wing to play alongside Doncic.

“It feels good. A dream come true,” Thiero said. “Just happy to be here. Playing for the Lakers, too, that’s a blessing for sure.”

When asked about the Lakers’ roster, Thiero said: “It’s going to be fun learning from everybody. But you got Bron, you got Luka, (Austin Reaves). It’s a lot of people on that team. I’m just ready to get with the guys and work.”

Los Angeles tied for first in the Pacific Division this season with a 50-32 record before losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Quaker Valley’s boys basketball team has been coached for 24 seasons by Mike Mastroianni, also the school’s athletic director.

“It was a great day for Adou and his family,” Mastroianni said, “and we are all extremely happy for them. With only two rounds in the NBA Draft and the scope of international players, it is quite an accomplishment to hear your named called.

“It’s hard to determine Adou’s (rookie) impact with the Lakers, but part of his strength has been knowing how he fits in and how to make it work. It will be a challenge, but in all his steps forward, he has thrived on opportunities presented to him. He has carried high expectations and goals for himself for a long time, and I can’t wait to see how things play out for him.”

Thiero, 21, played his first two collegiate years at Kentucky before following coach John Calipari to Arkansas for the 2024-25 season. He emerged as a double-digit scorer and finished as the team leader in scoring (15.1 ppg) and rebounding (5.8 rpg)

Thiero competed in 27 games with 26 starts for the Razorbacks. A hyperextended knee forced him to miss the team’s first two NCAA Tournament games. He was limited to five minutes of playing time in the team’s Sweet 16 loss to Texas Tech.

“I’m so proud of how far Adou has come from a 5-11 ninth grader to becoming an NBA player,” Calipari posted on social media. “Incredible journey. Forget what round he is drafted in; he is a player they will look at and go, ‘How did he get drafted there? That was a steal.’”

After the pick was made by the Lakers, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo said “Thiero is one of the draft’s best athletes and most electric defensive playmakers but saw his stock slip after missing a large chunk of the season due to a knee injury that also limited him some during the predraft process. If he can return to full health, he’s an intriguing project for the Lakers to develop.”

A Yahoo.com draft analysis credited Thiero as being a “bulldozer on his drives to the basket,” noting that his size and athleticism allow him to defend multiple positions.

A strapping frontcourt player with a 7-foot wingspan, Thiero declared for the NBA Draft in early April. It was suggested on his NBA.com scouting report that he was “perhaps the most explosive player in the draft who can draw fouls and finish spectacularly at the rim.”

Thiero was projected as the fourth-best available player by ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas when Day 2 of the draft commenced; he ended up being the sixth pick of the second round.

In ESPN’s pre-draft show, Bilas said Thiero “plays hard, is long, athletic, and an excellent driver, and he has a motor. He’s a very capable player.”

He also was L.A.’s only drafted player this year as the team did not have a first-round selection. The Lakers were apparently pining to choose him, moving up from 55th with a pair of trades to acquire the selection which originally belonged to Brooklyn.

A 5-11 guard as a freshman at QV, the affable Thiero has had big shoes to fill in his “basketball family.”

Thiero’s father Almany played at Memphis and Duquesne and his mother Mariam played at Oklahoma City and was selected 33rd overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2006 WNBA Draft.

Thiero’s sister Oumou (“Mimi”) is a rising 6-5 senior at QV and considered one of the top girls basketball players in the WPIAL. She attended the NBA Draft with her parents.

“My reaction (to Adou getting drafted by the Lakers) was pretty calm,” said his sister. “I always knew he could get there.”

As a four-star recruit, Adou Thiero committed to play at Kentucky under the renowned Calipari, who had coached his father in college.

Thiero disclosed his decision to enter the draft April 8 on social media.

“I want to start by giving all glory to God for blessing me with the talent, strength and opportunities to get to this point,” Thiero wrote on Instagram. “This decision comes after much thought and reflection, and I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had throughout my journey.”

Naturally, Thiero was thankful for his well-deserved situation.

“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the University of Arkansas, Coach Cal, staff, GAs, managers, teammates, fans, and all of Razorback Nation for their unwavering support and belief in me,” he stated. “The memories we’ve created and the lessons I’ve learned here will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I want to also thank my family and friends for being there for me and supporting me every step of the way, especially my mom and dad with how much they have sacrificed to put my siblings and I in better positions to be successful. I am ready to take the next step in my career, and I can’t wait to see where this journey leads.”

Thiero probably never envisioned his journey would take him to Tinseltown.

A few other noteworthy players chosen 36th in the NBA Draft over the years include Sam Young (Pitt) by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009, Maurice Cheeks (West Texas A&M) in 1978 and Clint Richardson (Seattle) in 1979, both by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The previous five players selected 36th since 2020 were Tyler Bey (Colorado) by the 76ers, Miles McBride (West Virginia) by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Italy’s Gabriele Procida by the Portland Trail Blazers, Andre Jackson (Connecticut) by the Orlando Magic and Germany’s Juan Nunez by the Indiana Pacers.

Thiero’s initial taste of professional basketball will take place July 10-20 in the NBA Rookie Summer League in Las Vegas.

The Lakers’ first game is July 10 on the league’s opening night against the Dallas Mavericks and Cooper Flagg (Duke), the highly celebrated No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.

The game will be the main attraction of an ESPN doubleheader.