Ex-Jayhawk Thomas signs with NBA’s Nets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ? Former Kansas University basketball player Billy Thomas’ dream of playing in the NBA has come true.
The 6-foot-4 Thomas, a 1998 KU graduate who has played in the USBL, CBA, IBA, USBL and overseas, has signed a 10-day contract with the New Jersey Nets.
Thomas
Thomas, 29, has been playing with the Dakota Wizards of the CBA this season. He’s hit 70 three-pointers heading into the all-star break — 28 more than his closest CBA competitor.
Thomas came close to making the NBA this year after turning in a strong performance with the Washington Wizards’ summer-league squad, but he was the team’s final cut.
That encouraged him to try the CBA instead of taking the bigger money to play overseas.
“You have major opportunities to play in Italy or Greece for 25 times what you’ll be making here,” Thomas told the Bismarck Tribune. “But you have to make those decisions. When you’re told you’re close, you have to give yourself a chance.
“You try to stay in the framework of the team,” Thomas said. “I’ve had people say I need to be a little more selfish, but that (unselfishness) is something I try to bring any team I play on.”
6Sports video: Nets sign ex-Jayhawk Thomas
Stewart itching to play
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