JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - Only a few could call themselves a FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) veteran and Elijah Thomas has become one of them after joining Ittihad Club for the 2025-26 competitions.
Signing with the reigning Saudi Basketball League champions just recently also meant he's bound for the pan-regional tilt for the third time after previously suiting up for Sagesse SC and Al Ahli Club, respectively.
That particular stint with the Bahraini side just last season saw the 29-year-old bruiser shoulder the responsibility of being their primary big man, and that won't be changing now that he's joined the Tigers.
In fact, he may even have to assume a bigger role as Thomas was brought in shortly after Ittihad found out that it would be missing star big man Mohammed Almarwani due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
"It’s sad that I didn’t get the opportunity to play with Mohammed Almarwani as I was a fan of his leadership last season while watching Ittihad," lamented the 2.10 M (6'11") forward out of Clemson University.
It goes without saying that taking on such a significant task could truly get challenging but Thomas is fully embracing as much, especially with somebody so dear to him willingly helping every step of the way.
Enter Erick Neal.
The two actually go way back as they grew up together in Dallas, Texas and even played together during their younger years before embarking on different journeys only to eventually reunite in Saudi Arabia.
"The adjustment has been pretty easy. I grew up with Erick Neal," he said. "We are both from the same city of Dallas, Texas so we’ve had chemistry playing on the same team as kids since we were 11-12 years old."
No wonder both men delivered exceptionally during their first WASL game together last Monday at the Green Basketball Court. Banking on their life-long familiarity, they led Ittihad to an 86-84 escape against Kazma.
Thomas top-scored in the triumph with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Neal showed yet again why he's the new WASL assists king after finishing with 14 alongside 18 points and 9 rebounds in 40 minutes of play.
Ittihad, as a result, maintained their position as the no. 1 team in Group B, and the explosive playmaker is excited as well about how much of a difference his good pal could be as they hope to go deep into the tilt.
"I think he'll be very crucial," Neal said.
"Teams are gonna have matchup problems with us, with him on the floor. He's gonna open up me more, he's gonna open up [Jarell] Eddie more. Even just the team. I feel like he's gonna help us a lot," he added.
Now, it's all about showing how much he could really be of help for a team that's hoping to finish their story after settling for a runner-up finish behind Shabab Al Ahli in the WASL-Gulf League Final last season.
"I embrace this blessing of an opportunity by reminding myself this is what I worked for so I can be prepared for whatever is thrown our way on the road to a ring," Thomas said. "I’m hungry to prove myself."
FIBA