Although he is tall and talented, Thomas Hamilton's weight problem has hampered him throughout his career, and continues to be a roadblock to his success. Hamilton never played college ball. He committed to the University of Pittsburgh in 1993 after graduating from Martin Luther King High School in Chicago, but did not play there and left school. A former high school teammate of Rashard Griffith, the 38th pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, the duo led their school to the 1993 Illinois State Basketball Championship. Hamilton was signed and by Toronto on Oct. 6, 1995 and waived 12 days later. The Boston Celtics, eager for frontcourt help, signed Hamilton as a free agent on Nov. 24, 1995 and placed him first on the injured list and then on the suspended list until he could get into adequate playing shape. They finally activated him for the final five weeks of the season, although he saw only limited action, appearing in 11 games. The Celtics elected not to resign him over the summer. He was signed by Chicago on Oct. 23, 1996 and waived on Dec. 18, then signed again on Oct. 6, 1997 and waived on Oct. 21 without ever playing for his hometown team. He signed with Miami on Jan. 26, 1999 but did not play for the Heat, either. Houston signed Hamilton on Sept. 2, 1999, and with Hakeem Olajuwon plagued by injuries, he made the opening roster. He played in 22 games, making seven starts, and also spent six weeks on the injured list with a lower back strain before being waived by the Rockets on Jan. 13, 2000.

1999-2000 REGULAR SEASON
Waived by the Houston Rockets on 1/13 Scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 106-94 loss in New Jersey on 12/11 Activated from the injured list on 12/1. Placed on injured list on 11/20 with a lower back strain

1997-1998 REGULAR SEASON


1995-1996 REGULAR SEASON
Hamilton, listed at 7-2 and 360 pounds on the Celtics' roster at season's end, was signed by Boston on Nov. 24 and placed on the injured list because of strep throat. He was transferred to the suspended list on Dec. 22 and the Celtics said he would stay there "until he reached proper playing condition." He received league approval to begin working out with the team in mid-February and finally was activated from the suspended list on March 13. Hamilton appeared in 11 late-season games, playing a total of 70 minutes, during which time he scored 25 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and blocked nine shots. His best outing came on April 10 against Washington, when he shot 6-for-9, scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in just 12 minutes.

• Had never played professionally or in college before the 1995-96 season
• A 1993 graduate of Chicago's Martin Luther King High School
• Was a high school teammate of Rashard Griffith, the 38th pick in the 1995 NBA Draft by Milwaukee