Nets ink Thomas for season
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ? Former Kansas University guard Billy Thomas has been signed to a contract by the New Jersey Nets.
The contract covers the rest of the season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Thomas previously had been signed to a pair of 10-day contracts.
Thomas, 29, has averaged 6.9 points a game in 11 games for the Nets. He’s hit 15 of 41 threes for 36.6 percent and 28 of 68 shots overall for 41.2 percent.
“We had Billy in the summer league two years in a row,” general manager Ed Stefanski said. “Great kid, real solid. He defends and that’s what the coach wants. And he knocks down open shots.”
At Golden State, he shut down Jason Richardson defensively and added 12 points in 18 minutes.
“I have been on Cloud 9 (since getting the call),” the 6-foot-5 swingman said. “I’m tickled to death that I am getting an opportunity to play on the same floor as the guys on this team. But it’s not finished. This is just the start of something good.”
Thomas has played ball on three continents, three minor leagues and four NBA camps.
“It was difficult but it made me stronger,” he said. “I knew that I worked as hard as I could but at the same time it allowed me to get better every year. I’m confident that if I continue to do what I’m doing, the sky’s the limit.”
6Sports video: Ex-Jayhawk to stay with Nets
Jayhawk big man Simien joining Giddens, Langford as solid outside shooters (02-11-05)
Sign up for cell phone updates
Sign up for e-mail updates