The second round of the NBA draft can be a crapshoot, with a history full of late fliers who never panned out, international stashes who never developed and college stars who couldn’t cut it at the next level. But there are enough examples of teams who hit big in recent years, or simply snagged a cheap and unexpected contributor, that it continues to be a valuable roster-building tool.

Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson, Draymond Green, and Andrew Nembhard were all second-round picks who became stars or starters in the NBA. So who might turn into this year’s find when the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft begins on Thursday night?

Lots of intriguing options remained after the completion of the first round, with college basketball all-Americans like Auburn’s Johni Broome, Marquette’s Kam Jones and Wisconsin’s John Tonje among the players still available to be picked. A couple surprises in the opening 30 picks left projected first-round choices such as Rasheer Fleming of Saint Joseph’s and Stanford center Alex Raynaud as prime candidates to go quickly.

Draft experts around the country are weighing in on how the second round might go with updated picks and predictions now that the first-round picks are in. Here’s a look at what several mock drafts think will happen when the second round of the 2025 NBA draft gets underway Thursday:

When is the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft?

The 2025 NBA Draft second round is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 26 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The second round will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with live streaming available via the ESPN app and Fubo.

Watch the NBA draft with Fubo

2025 NBA draft second round mock draft roundup

31. Minnesota Timberwolves

ESPN: F Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s
The Athletic: F Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s
CBS Sports: F Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s
Sports Illustrated: F Adou Thiero, Arkansas

32. Boston Celtics

ESPN: C Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
The Athletic: C Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
CBS Sports: C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Sports Illustrated: C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton

33. Charlotte Hornets

ESPN: C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
The Athletic: G/F Sion James, Duke
CBS Sports: F/C Johni Broome, Auburn
Sports Illustrated: F Bogoljub Markovic, Mega Basket (Adriatic League)

34. Charlotte Hornets

ESPN: F Noah Penda, Le Mans (France)
The Athletic: C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
CBS Sports: F Adou Thiero, Arkansas
Sports Illustrated: F Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s

35. Philadelphia 76ers

ESPN: G Tyrese Proctor, Duke
The Athletic: G Tyrese Proctor, Duke
CBS Sports: F Bogoljub Markovic, Mega Basket (Adriatic League)
Sports Illustrated: G Chaz Lanier, Tennessee

36. Brooklyn Nets

ESPN: F Adou Thiero, Arkansas
The Athletic: F Noah Penda, Le Mans (France)
CBS Sports: C Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
Sports Illustrated: F Alex Toohey, Sydney Kings (Australia)

37. Detroit Pistons

ESPN: G Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
The Athletic: G Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
CBS Sports: G/F Koby Brea, Kentucky
Sports Illustrated: F Noah Penda, Le Mans (France)

38. Indiana Pacers

ESPN: G/F Jamir Watkins, Florida State
The Athletic: G Kam Jones, Marquette
CBS Sports: G Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
Sports Illustrated: C Maxime Raynaud, Stanford

39. Toronto Raptors

ESPN: G/F John Tonje, Wisconsin
The Athletic: G Alijah Martin, Florida
CBS Sports: G Tyrese Proctor, Duke
Sports Illustrated: G/F Jamir Watkins, Florida State

40. New Orleans Pelicans

ESPN: F Bogoljub Markovic, Mega Basket (Adriatic League)
The Athletic: F Adou Thiero, Arkansas
CBS Sports: G/F Jamir Watkins, Florida State
Sports Illustrated: G/F Koby Brea, Kentucky

41. Golden State Warriors

ESPN: C Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
The Athletic: G/F Koby Brea, Kentucky
CBS Sports: F Noah Penda, Le Mans (France)
Sports Illustrated: G/F Sion James, Duke

42. Sacramento Kings

ESPN: G/F Koby Brea, Kentucky
The Athletic: G Javon Small, West Virginia
CBS Sports: C Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
Sports Illustrated: G Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest

43. Washington Wizards

ESPN: G/F Sion James, Duke
The Athletic: F Bogoljub Markovic, Mega Basket (Adriatic League)
CBS Sports: G/F Micah Peavy, Georgetown
Sports Illustrated: G Tyrese Proctor, Duke

44. Oklahoma City Thunder

ESPN: F/C Johni Broome, Auburn
The Athletic: F Alex Toohey, Sydney Kings (Australia)
CBS Sports: F Alex Toohey, Sydney Kings (Australia)
Sports Illustrated: G/F Kobe Sanders, Nevada

45. Chicago Bulls

ESPN: F Alex Toohey, Sydney Kings (Australia)
The Athletic: G/F Kobe Sanders, Nevada
CBS Sports: F/C Lachlan Olbrich, Illawarra Hawks (Australia)
Sports Illustrated: C Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets (Australia)

46. Orlando Magic

ESPN: G Kam Jones, Marquette
The Athletic: C Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
CBS Sports: G Kam Jones, Marquette
Sports Illustrated: C Amari Williams, Kentucky

47. Milwaukee Bucks

ESPN: G Javon Small, West Virginia
The Athletic: Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
CBS Sports: G/F John Tonje, Wisconsin
Sports Illustrated: F Eric Dixon, Villanova

48. Memphis Grizzlies

ESPN: G/F Micah Peavy, Georgetown
The Athletic: G/F John Tonje, Wisconsin
CBS Sports: G Alijah Martin, Florida
Sports Illustrated: G/F John Tonje, Wisconsin

49. Cleveland Cavaliers

ESPN: C Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
The Athletic: G/F Jamir Watkins, Florida State
CBS Sports: G Javon Small, West Virginia
Sports Illustrated: G Kam Jones, Marquette

50. New York Knicks

ESPN: F/C Lachlan Olbrich, Illawarra Hawks (Australia)
The Athletic: F/C Johni Broome, Auburn
CBS Sports: G Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga
Sports Illustrated: G Javon Small, West Virginia

51. Los Angeles Clippers

ESPN: F Eric Dixon, Villanova
The Athletic: G Chucky Hepburn, Louisville
CBS Sports: G/F Sion James, Duke
Sports Illustrated: F/C Johni Broome, Auburn

52. Phoenix Suns

ESPN: G Alijah Martin, Florida
The Athletic: G/F Tamar Bates, Missouri
CBS Sports: G/F Dink Pate, Mexico City (G League)
Sports Illustrated: G R.J. Luis, St. John’s

53. Utah Jazz

ESPN: C Amari Williams, Kentucky
The Athletic: G/F Brooks Barnhizer
CBS Sports: G Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
Sports Illustrated: Izan Almansa, Perth Wildcats (Australia)

54. Indiana Pacers

ESPN: G/F Dink Pate, Mexico City (G League)
The Athletic: G/F Micah Peavy, Georgetown
CBS Sports: C Viktor Lakhin, Clemson
Sports Illustrated: G Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga

55. Los Angeles Lakers

ESPN: C Viktor Lakhin, Clemson
The Athletic: C Amari Williams, Kentucky
CBS Sports: F Eric Dixon, Villanova
Sports Illustrated: G Mark Sears, Alabama

56. Memphis Grizzlies

ESPN: G Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
The Athletic: G/F Mohamed Diawara, Cholet (France)
CBS Sports: F Grant Nelson, Alabama
Sports Illustrated: G Alijah Martin, Florida

57. Orlando Magic

ESPN: G/F Kobe Sanders, Nevada
The Athletic: F/C Lachlan Olbrich, Illawarra Hawks (Australia)
CBS Sports: G/F Kobe Sanders, Nevada
Sports Illustrated: G/F Micah Peavy, Georgetown

58. Cleveland Cavaliers

ESPN: G/F Saliou Niang, Trentino (Italy)
The Athletic: G/F Saliou Niang, Trentino (Italy)
CBS Sports: C Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
Sports Illustrated: G/F Brice Williams, Nebraska

59. Houston Rockets

ESPN: G Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga
The Athletic: G Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga
CBS Sports: F Izan Almansa, Perth Wildcats (Australia)
Sports Illustrated: G/F Tamar Bates, Missouri

Casey O’Brien, who recently celebrated her victory in the 2025 NCAA women’s ice hockey national championship with the Wisconsin Badgers, has achieved yet another milestone in her career. She was selected as the third overall pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft, marking a significant moment for both O’Brien and the New York Sirens.

O’Brien’s career is highlighted by several notable achievements, including breaking school records with a total of 88 points, comprised of 26 goals and 62 assists. One of the most prestigious honors O’Brien has received is the 2025 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. This award is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey and recognizes exceptional individual and team skills, sportsmanship, and a passion for the game—qualities that O’Brien exemplifies.

‘I come from a family of hockey players with my dad and brothers. Their love for the game is what got me on the ice and ignited my passion for hockey,’ O’Brien said. ‘Their support and guidance have been instrumental in my career.’

Since capping off an impressive fifth-year at Wisconsin, O’Brien was a top pick for the New York Sirens in the 2025 PWHL Draft. The professional ice hockey league for women was established in 2023 and began its inaugural season the same year.

‘This entire year feels unreal. For two years, we heard that this league could become a reality, and when it did, I realized that I could take the next step in my career,’ O’Brien said. ‘There was no place I preferred to go ahead of the draft, and it couldn’t have been scripted better for me and my family than hearing my name called to play for my hometown team.’

New York Sirens select Casey O’Brien third overall

In the 2025 PWHL Draft, the New York Sirens selected Casey O’Brien, the 2025 Patty Kazmaier Award winner and a center forward, with the third overall pick. This selection was part of a trade that sent veteran defender Ella Shelton to the Toronto Sceptres in exchange for Toronto’s third overall pick.

‘Now, returning to New York as a professional player and giving back to the community that shaped me is truly a dream come true,’ O’Brien said.

When does the PWHL season start?

The 2025 season schedule for the Professional Women’s Hockey League has not yet been released. However, last season began on Saturday, November 30th, and consisted of 90 games, with each team playing 30 regular-season games.

The NHL draft is on June 27 and free agency is around the corner on July 1.

But there are also trades to be made as NHL teams acquire or move players to improve their immediate future or get their salary cap situation under control.

The latest was a deal on June 26 between the Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth, a three-player trade involving a pair of 23-year-old forwards. J.J. Peterka is heading to Utah and Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan to Buffalo in the trade, which involved no draft picks.

Also, the Florida Panthers acquired goalie Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Trades will pick up with the draft and free agency approaching. Tracking the latest NHL deals:

June 26: Mammoth acquire JJ Peterka from Sabres

The Utah Mammoth will be aggressive this offseason as they head into their second season in Salt Lake City. Peterka is coming off a career-best 68 points and totaled 55 goals the past two seasons. The 23-year-old was a restricted free agent and signed a five-year deal with the Mammoth after the trade.

The Sabres, who need to adjust their roster to try to end a 14-season playoff drought, get back defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. Kesselring, 25, had a career-best 29 points as he got more ice time because of injuries on the Utah blue line. Doan, 23, is the son of former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan. He has another year left on his contract.

June 26: Panthers acquire Daniil Tarasov from the Blue Jackets

The Panthers give up a 2025 fifth-round pick for Tarasov, 26, a restricted free agent who became available with Jet Greaves emerging in Columbus. Current backup Vitek Vanecek is a pending unrestricted free agent. Tarasov has a career 3.44 goals-against average but those numbers should come down while playing behind a better Panthers defense. Sergei Bobrovsky will be 37 next season and has a year left on his contract. General Bill Zito potentially has found his future No. 1 goalie.

Also: The Seattle Kraken acquired two-way center Frederick Gaudreau from the Minnesota Wild for a 2025 fourth-round pick. … In a free agency move, the Dallas Stars re-signed captain Jamie Benn for one year at $1 million, plus an additional $3 million in potential performance bonuses

June 25: Oilers trade Evander Kane to Canucks

This was a salary cap move, saving more than $5 million with the Oilers needing to re-sign defenseman Evan Bouchard. The Oilers get back a fourth-round pick. Kane, a Vancouver native, adds help on the wing with the Canucks expected to lose Brock Boeser to free agency.

June 23: Flyers acquire Trevor Zegras from Ducks

Zegras wanted to play center and the Ducks didn’t have room for him there in their top six. The Flyers land a creative forward who has scored several lacrosse-style goals but also has dealt recently with injuries. The Ducks get back center Ryan Poehling, who wins faceoffs and kills penalties, two areas where Anaheim needed improvement. They also receive a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-rounder.

June 21: Blackhawks, Kraken make trade

The Chicago Blackhawks traded for left wing Andre Burakovsky, sending center Joe Veleno back to the Seattle Kraken. Burakovsky was available after the Kraken earlier acquired Mason Marchment. Burakovsky has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons but bounced back to play 79 games during the 2024-25 season, netting 10 goals and 27 assists with Seattle. Veleno scored 17 points this season between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. – Elizabeth Flores

June 19: Kraken acquire Mason Marchment from Stars

The Stars needed to clear out cap space after re-signing Matt Duchene so they traded 22-goal scorer Mason Marchment and his $4.5 million contract to the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2025 fourth-rounder. In addition to his goals, he’s 6-foot-5 and throws hits.

Ace Bailey dropped a couple of slots in the 2025 NBA draft. The Portland Trail Blazers made a surprising pick and took a chance on China’s Yang Hansen.

Is there a Tony Parker or Giannis Antetokounmpo-type player in this year’s draft? It’s way too early to tell. But in the present, there are winners and losers from the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 25.

NBA draft winners

Duke and Blue Devils coach Scheyer

The Blue Devils had three lottery picks – Cooper Flagg No. 1, Kon Knueppel No. 4, Khaman Maluach No. 10 – making it the third time in school history that Duke has had three lottery pick in the same draft. It also happened in 1999 (Elton Brand, Trajan Langdon, Corey Maggette) and 2019 (Zion Willamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish).

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets had five first-round picks as their rebuild continues. They might not hit on all of them, but the goal is to hit on some of them. Who will it be? They acquired BYU’s Egor Demin at No. 8, France’s Nolan Traore at No. 19, North Carolina’s Drake Powell at No. 22, Israel’s Ben Saraf at No. 26 and Michigan’s Danny Wolf at No. 27.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have an outstanding track record of drafting and developing players. Selecting Dylan Harper No. 2 and Carter Bryant No. 14 gives San Antonio a chance to put two more solid contributors alongside Victor Wembanyama.

Hawks GM Onsi Saleh

For a first-time general manager two months on the job, Onsi Saleh kind of cooked. First, on Tuesday, June 24, he acquired stretch center Kristaps Porziņģis at a discount because Boston needed to trim its luxury tax payments. Then, he traded down with the Pelicans to take forward Asa Newell – a fringe lottery pick who fell – at No. 23. But, the real chef’s kiss moment was that, according to ESPN, the trade with the Pelicans was for an unprotected first-rounder in 2026. New Orleans currently has two picks in that draft: its own, and one that had belonged to the Bucks. Atlanta will get the most favorable of the two.

The Bucks will be without Damian Lillard (torn Achilles) and the Pelicans are coming off a season during which they went 21-61, fourth-worst in the NBA. Which means the Hawks could’ve just turned the No. 13 pick into one in the Top 5 … with Newell as a chaser.

SEC

The SEC had five first-round picks, including three lottery picks: Texas’ Tre Johnson (No. 6), Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears (No. 7), South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles (No. 9), Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr., (No. 18) and Georgia’s Asa Newell (No. 23). Murray-Boyles is the Gamecocks’ first lottery pick in school history.

Dallas Mavericks and Cooper Flagg

Dallas rebounded from the Luka Doncic trade by winning the lottery with a 1.8% chance, and Flagg ends up in a solid situation where he can develop without extreme pressure.

Utah Jazz

They declined to buy into the fear that dynamic Rutgers wing Ace Bailey was trying to dictate his destination and opted for the best-player-available approach. Then, they moved up a few spots in a trade with the Wizards to pluck experienced and clutch guard Walter Clayton Jr. at No. 18, before teams like the Nets and Heat, which had reported interest, selected. It was a classic Danny Ainge draft: one based on projected impact and value.

Thirty first-round picks

In short time, players and their families sacrificed time, money and resources to chase a dream, and that dream became a reality for 30 players.

NBA draft losers

Kentucky Wildcats

For the first time since the 2009 draft, Kentucky did not have a single player selected in the first round. For reference, that was the year Blake Griffin (retired), Hasheem Thabeet (retired) and James Harden (to enter 17th season) were the first three selections. Since then, 36 Wildcats went on to hear their names called in the first round. Wednesday night – 16 years to the day of the ’09 draft, or 5,844 days – snapped that streak.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns have needed a center; now, they have two, and they acquired both within a span of minutes. Phoenix reportedly traded for Mark Williams – seemingly – because they didn’t expect Duke’s Khaman Maluach to fall to No. 10. He did, and that was great value for him. But the lack of patience cost the Suns a pair of first-round picks for Williams – the No. 29 selection Wednesday night and one in 2029. For a team lacking depth, the No. 29 pick could’ve provided value. And yet, the Suns still have their Bradley Beal problem, an expensive player with a no-trade clause in his contract, who will be difficult to offload.

Portland Trail Blazers

Similar to the Suns, the Trail Blazers apparently love them some centers. One draft after they took Donovan Clingan No. 7 overall, Portland had the big surprise of the night with Chinese 7-foot-1 center Yang Hansen at No. 16. This almost certainly spells the end for Robert Williams, who’s set to enter an expiring deal and whom Portland can offload in a trade. But these teams know that, typically, only one center plays, right?

The players who slid

You can throw in Kasparas Jakučionis (Heat; No. 20), Asa Newell (Hawks; No. 23), Jase Richardson (Magic; No. 25) and Liam McNeeley (Hornets; No. 29) as players who were drafted below where most mock drafts projected them to go. McNeeley was the most egregious example, and his shooting should instantly make a difference with the Hornets.

The players who slid out of the first round, entirely

A couple of obvious examples of players who likely just missed out on first-round selections are Saint Joseph’s forward Rasheer Fleming and Stanford center Maxime Raynaud. Still, this was not a draft with very many surprises. Players like center Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton) and forward Noah Penda (Le Mans; France) also had a chance at the first round, but ultimately just missed out.

Tyreek Hill is ready to change the narrative around the Miami Dolphins.

A team built on speed and finesse, many point to Miami’s lack of physicality and struggles in the cold weather as things that hold them back. The Dolphins have routinely started fast since Mike McDaniel became the head coach in 2022.

The Dolphins have compiled a 21-13 record in September, October, and November. However, they’ve posted a 7-12 record in December and January, including a 0-2 mark in the playoffs.

During an appearance on the ‘Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel’ podcast at the 2025 Fanatics Fest convention, Hill expressed a desire to flip the script.

‘It’s time to change who we are as a team,’ Hill said of what he told the team as a leader. ‘It’s time to change the narrative.’

Hill specifically pointed to the criticisms of the team in cold weather and physicality, saying he is tired of them.

‘I’m tired of that narrative,’ Hill said. ‘I’m tired of living behind not being able to go to the playoffs and win in Miami because we got a damn good team. We got a good quarterback, we got a good offensive line and we got some good coaches. And we got some good people in the community who deserve to be a part of it. I feel like this is the year that we change all of that.’

It’s been an interesting offseason for Hill. At one point, he appeared to be headed for a one-way ticket out of Miami. Trade rumors swirled around the star receiver, dating back to his frustration at the end of the season. Time healed all wounds in this case, however, as Hill is back in the fold and on good terms with McDaniel.

‘He’s one of those guys that, at first, he was odd,’ Hill said of McDaniel. ‘But I’m in year four with Mike now and our relationship is great.’

The five-time All-Pro has dazzled during his three seasons in South Beach, posting at least 1,700 yards in two of them. Hill’s game, at least statistically, went to another level following his trade from the Kansas City Chiefs before the 2022 season.

Hill credits McDaniel for a lot of that success, noting that the coach spends a lot of time in the office trying to find ways to scheme players open.

‘He’s probably one of the best offensive coordinators I’ve been around,’ Hill said. ‘One of the best minds I’ve been around. The way he utilizes me in motions and jet sweeps and just whatever it takes to get me open – those two years I had seventeen-hundred yards in a row, it was just him and his creativity.’

The praise didn’t stop there.

‘Mike really is a genius though,’ Hill added. ‘He’s a nerd for a reason. He’s a nerd for football.’

The Dolphins are seeking a return to the playoffs this season after a disappointing 8-9 finish to the 2024 campaign. Hill is eager to lead the team, hoping they can find some playoff success, much like his former team in Kansas City.

He believes they have what it takes to get there, citing the 2025 NBA Finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers as evidence.

‘We just seen OKC and the Pacers in the [NBA] Finals,’ Hill said. ‘Anything can happen, right?’

The Dolphins open the 2025 regular season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

As his NFL career blossomed, Julius Thomas said he started having questions. Why was the team practicing a certain way? Why was the offense running this scheme? What was the philosophy behind it all?

The two-time Pro Bowl tight end recalled pushing his coaches for clarity. But at multiple NFL stops, their answer was the same: ‘They said, ‘Hey man, we don’t pay you to think. We pay you to run.”

Thomas took it as a sign. At just 30 years old, he decided to walk away from the bruising world of the NFL to pursue a new career in a notably less bruising field: Clinical psychology.

After seven seasons of pro football, including two as a go-to target for Peyton Manning with the Denver Broncos, Thomas retired in 2018 and enrolled in psychology courses at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. He learned about behavioral neuroscience, contributed to a study on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), launched a high performance and wellness company and, earlier this month, graduated with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

It’s been a welcome change for someone who, for so much of his life, was viewed through the lens of his athleticism and powerful 6-foot-5 frame.

‘That was the hardest part of being an athlete for me: I felt like my real talent was mental, but I wasn’t able to show it, and I wasn’t able to develop that side of who I was,’ he told USA TODAY Sports.

‘It’s really cool to be able to have the (psychology) degrees and the training, to show that I have that side of me, too.”

Though Thomas, now 36, walked across the stage at graduation earlier this month, he said his academic training won’t completely end until he wraps up his one-year clinical residency at Nova Southeastern’s Psychology Services Center in September. He’s amassed more than 2,000 hours of real-world experience this year alone − teaching classes, working in clinics and seeing patients in therapy between the ages of 10 and 71.

‘I’ve got to get some great perspective that I never could’ve imagined having,’ Thomas said. ‘Going from being around millionaires and billionaires to serving people in community mental health clinics that can only afford $10 for a session or sometimes no money at all. Getting to see that juxtaposition in peoples’ lifestyles and their challenges, but then getting to see the commonality, right?

‘It doesn’t matter what you have, it doesn’t matter what you’ve earned. The experiences mentally and emotionally can be challenging.’

‘A big nerd!’

Thomas never thought he’d come back to school − let alone to study subjects like psychology and behavioral neuroscience. He was a business administration major during his undergraduate days at Portland State, where he primarily played Division I basketball.

After being drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round in 2011, despite having played just one year of college football, Thomas soon established himself as a major contributor with Manning under center. He racked up 12 touchdown catches and made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back years in 2013 and 2014.

But after joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency on a big-money contract, the injuries started to hit. The Jaguars traded him to the Miami Dolphins, who cut him after one season. It was around that time that Thomas said one of his now mentors, a sports psychologist, invited him to sit in on some classes.

By the time the start of the 2018 season rolled around, Thomas had decided to retire and move on to his second career. In an essay for The Players’ Tribune announcing his retirement, he described the move as a ‘journey into self.’

‘For me, stepping away wasn’t as hard as I’ve seen it be for other people,’ he explained. ‘Even when I was in college, I was always interested in how I would do outside of sports. What would I get into?’

Psychology courses quickly allowed Thomas to stretch his mind in new ways. They also opened the door for him to seek answers to some of the other questions that had popped up during his NFL career, including those around CTE, the neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated blows to the head.

Thomas started taking neuroscience classes, in addition to psychology, and contributed to research about CTE in current and former football players, boxers and fighters. He said researching the disease actually somewhat eased his nerves, by illustrating cases in which former athletes had evidence of the disease without the major symptoms.

‘We don’t know how many people may have had the pathology and didn’t have the symptoms,’ said Thomas, who is also president of the Society for Sports Neuroscience. ‘So I do think there’s a connection between severe symptomology and CTE, but from what I’ve studied and learned, I’m less nervous about CTE than I’ve ever been. Just because I think there’s a lot of things combined in CTE symptomology that you can help with by staying on top of your health.’

Professor Jaime Tartar, who collaborated with Thomas on that research, said he brings a rare combination of skills and experiences to his work − an ability to call on his experiences as an athlete when needed, but also thrive in academic and clinical settings without it.

‘It’s easy to forget that Julius had a career in professional football because he’s such a thoughtful, curious and deeply analytical person,’ Tartar, who chairs the department of psychology and neuroscience at Nova Southeastern, wrote in an e-mail. ‘In other words, he is a big nerd!’

The complexity of humanness

Thomas said the motivation behind his new career is to help people become ‘solid from the inside out.’ He’s fueled by the moments he spent looking across the locker room at a teammate and thinking ‘man, somebody should help that guy.’

But his experience in the NFL doesn’t mean he wants to be known as only ‘the athlete psychologist.’

In fact, as he worked towards his doctoral degree, Thomas was struck by the common threads between athletes and working professionals in other careers − writers, producers, accountants, lawyers.

‘Being a human is hard. It’s always been hard,’ Thomas said. ‘Study history. Read some of the most successful, high-performing people of status. Read their memoirs. There is no protection from inner struggle.’

Thomas is trained in the type of work that people often associate with therapy − the unpacking of past experiences or traumas − but said he is most interested in the part of the process that comes after: Helping people find new ways to level up in their lives or careers.

So, in 2023, he founded a high-performance and wellness company called Optimal Performance, which aims to provide resources for everyday working professionals. He speaks and consults with companies and teams, and is in the process of assembling a group of experts who can provide advice on everything from sleep and stress to personal finance.

‘Every industry, every discipline has different sets of behaviors that help you be really great in that,’ he said. ‘I love helping people dial in on what are the behaviors that are going to help you get towards where you want to go, professionally. But then also, what are the behaviors that are going to help you create the vision for your personal life?’

Thomas said he hopes to expand and focus more on Optimal Performance after completing his clinical residency this fall − the next step in what he called ‘a phenomenal life journey.’

He figures he’s probably one of the few people lucky enough to play in an NCAA tournament game, catch a pass in the Super Bowl and wear a white coat as a doctor at a hospital.

‘I pinch myself all the time,’ he said. ‘I don’t know how my life has twisted and turned this way, but I’m very grateful.’

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on social media @tom.schad@bsky.social.