KoriEllis
09-30-2004, 07:44 AM
Spurs, Thomas nearing a deal
Free agent contract close for Schenectady product
By MARK SINGELAIS, Staff writer
First published: Thursday, September 30, 2004
www.timesunion.com/AspSto...=9/30/2004 (http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=290403&category=SPORTS&BCCode=&newsdate=9/30/2004)
The eyes of Texas once again are upon Schenectady's James Thomas.
Thomas, an undrafted rookie forward from the University of Texas, on Wednesday was scheduled to sign a two-year, free-agent contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
His mother, Rachel, said Thomas flew to San Antonio on Wednesday morning to finalize the deal with the Spurs, who won the NBA title two years ago.
"It's a dream come true for him," she said. "Like his whole career and his whole life, it didn't come with the door wide open. He had to kick it down."
Spurs spokesman Tom James said Wednesday afternoon that "we haven't signed (Thomas), but I think we are close." The deal still hadn't been announced at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The 6-foot-8 Thomas played for the Portland Trail Blazers' entry in an NBA summer league in Utah and finished second in rebounding with a 7.6 average.
Thomas chose the Spurs because they offered him partially guaranteed money in the first year of the contract with a club option for the second year, according to Jim Hart, his former Amateur Athletic Union coach.
Hart said such an offer is "very rare" for an undrafted rookie. He is not guaranteed a roster spot when the regular season opens against Sacramento on Nov. 3. He still must earn his way on to the Spurs' 15-man roster. Only 12 players dress for games.
Efforts were unsuccessful to reach Thomas or his agent, Joel Bell.
Thomas had a disappointing senior year, marred by a bad back and a strained relationship with Texas coach Rick Barnes. He averaged 5.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. However, he is the Longhorns' career leader with 1,077 rebounds.
Hart said the Spurs last month invited Thomas to come down to San Antonio to scrimmmage with their players, including point guard Tony Parker and star center Tim Duncan. Then the team doctor gave him a physical, apparently to check out the condition of his back. Last year, Thomas had three herniated discs, which he said healed on their own.
The Spurs open their training camp on Tuesday, and play their preseason opener against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 16.
Rachel Thomas has seen her son play at the Garden before with Texas, but will see him in an NBA uniform for the first time.
"I will be there with bells on," she said. "He knows he's got a lot of work to do. He has several steps to go, but this is just another hurdle. I do believe that he's ready."
Rachel Thomas said returning to Texas isn't a big deal for her son.
"He didn't care where he went," she said. "He just wanted to play NBA ball. If they sent him anywhere, he'd be happy."
Albany's Lionel Chalmers, a second-round draft choice and high school rival of Thomas, is beginning his rookie year with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Free agent contract close for Schenectady product
By MARK SINGELAIS, Staff writer
First published: Thursday, September 30, 2004
www.timesunion.com/AspSto...=9/30/2004 (http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=290403&category=SPORTS&BCCode=&newsdate=9/30/2004)
The eyes of Texas once again are upon Schenectady's James Thomas.
Thomas, an undrafted rookie forward from the University of Texas, on Wednesday was scheduled to sign a two-year, free-agent contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
His mother, Rachel, said Thomas flew to San Antonio on Wednesday morning to finalize the deal with the Spurs, who won the NBA title two years ago.
"It's a dream come true for him," she said. "Like his whole career and his whole life, it didn't come with the door wide open. He had to kick it down."
Spurs spokesman Tom James said Wednesday afternoon that "we haven't signed (Thomas), but I think we are close." The deal still hadn't been announced at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The 6-foot-8 Thomas played for the Portland Trail Blazers' entry in an NBA summer league in Utah and finished second in rebounding with a 7.6 average.
Thomas chose the Spurs because they offered him partially guaranteed money in the first year of the contract with a club option for the second year, according to Jim Hart, his former Amateur Athletic Union coach.
Hart said such an offer is "very rare" for an undrafted rookie. He is not guaranteed a roster spot when the regular season opens against Sacramento on Nov. 3. He still must earn his way on to the Spurs' 15-man roster. Only 12 players dress for games.
Efforts were unsuccessful to reach Thomas or his agent, Joel Bell.
Thomas had a disappointing senior year, marred by a bad back and a strained relationship with Texas coach Rick Barnes. He averaged 5.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. However, he is the Longhorns' career leader with 1,077 rebounds.
Hart said the Spurs last month invited Thomas to come down to San Antonio to scrimmmage with their players, including point guard Tony Parker and star center Tim Duncan. Then the team doctor gave him a physical, apparently to check out the condition of his back. Last year, Thomas had three herniated discs, which he said healed on their own.
The Spurs open their training camp on Tuesday, and play their preseason opener against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 16.
Rachel Thomas has seen her son play at the Garden before with Texas, but will see him in an NBA uniform for the first time.
"I will be there with bells on," she said. "He knows he's got a lot of work to do. He has several steps to go, but this is just another hurdle. I do believe that he's ready."
Rachel Thomas said returning to Texas isn't a big deal for her son.
"He didn't care where he went," she said. "He just wanted to play NBA ball. If they sent him anywhere, he'd be happy."
Albany's Lionel Chalmers, a second-round draft choice and high school rival of Thomas, is beginning his rookie year with the Los Angeles Clippers.