The Inside the NBA family was left grieving after the death of longtime crew member Kevin Thomas, a veteran stagehand who had been part of the show for approximately 30 years.
Thomas died in May 2025 at the age of 70. His passing was announced during an emotional episode of Inside the NBA, where Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith joined the show’s crew in remembering their longtime colleague.
Ernie Johnson described Thomas as a great teammate who brought humor and kindness to the workplace. Thomas had also appeared in various skits and memorable moments on the program over the years.
Shaquille O’Neal spoke about the shock of hearing that Thomas had died, while Charles Barkley remembered him as someone who was respected and willing to help whenever the crew needed him.
Thomas is survived by his wife, son and four grandchildren. The Inside the NBA team honored his memory with a tribute, describing him as an important part of the show’s family.
The studio that Thomas helped become a familiar part of basketball television was left without one of its longtime personalities—and his colleagues made clear that he would be deeply missed.