Thomas not one to keep quiet

By Gary Bedore     Jun 14, 2007

Nick Krug
Former Kansas University basketball player Billy Thomas signs his autograph on a mini basketball during an alumni scrimmage. Thomas joined his fellow former KU players Wednesday in Allen Fieldhouse.

He talked trash good-naturedly with Sherron Collins and other members of Kansas University’s basketball team before the game, then jawed with an official during the action.

You better believe ex-Jayhawk shooting guard Billy Thomas came to play – and win – the contest featuring alumni and current players that capped Bill Self’s camp Wednesday in Allen Fieldhouse.

“I think one of the referees had something against me, man. The baskets I did happen to make today … I was getting hit. I told the ref it’s not my fault I’m a little stronger than the young fellas,” the 31-year-old Thomas said with a smile.

He scored 18 points in the alumni’s 75-70 loss to the current Jayhawks.

“We always want to win,” Thomas said of the alumni squad, which included Aaron Miles (17 points), Nick Bradford (14) and Michael Lee (3). Younger players who filled out the roster included Cole Aldrich (7), Tyrel Reed (7), Chase Buford (3), Conner Teahan (0) and Matt Kleinmann as well as guest Adam Thomas, a 7-foot-2 center from Cal State-Fullerton who is in town working out with the Jayhawks this summer.

“I’m getting frustrated more and more by the years when I don’t win. I told ’em I’m thinking about boycotting next year until they make the officiating even,” Thomas cracked.

The 6-foot-5 native of Shreveport, La., who has played professional basketball in the NBA, four U.S. minor leagues, Argentina, Italy and Serbia, next month will compete for the Milwaukee Bucks summer-league team.

“Everybody knows about my travels,” Thomas said. “My heart will always be here.”

Thomas, who is based in Kansas City in the offseason (he played in Serbia and with the Kansas Cagerz in 2006-07), said the campers game is a highlight of his calendar year.

“Truthfully, I had some other appointments set up today. Because of the tradition of this event and what this place has meant to me, I canceled the appointments,” Thomas said. “The kids here don’t know me from anybody else, but a lot of the parents and other people remember the players who played here. It’s a special place to come back to.”

Ex-Jayhawk shooting guard Bradford, 28, agrees with that sentiment.

“I love coming back to KU,” said Bradford, who played in Reims, France, last season and plans on returning in October. “They (the Jayhawks) are talented, strong, athletic, a good bunch of guys.

“I really wanted to come back and beat those guys, but it’s all good. We got to go out there and break a sweat in front of the kids. We almost pulled it out. We cut it to two. I thought we could have had a couple ‘And-1s’ (basket and foul shots) we didn’t get from the refs.”

The Jayhawks, who were led by Collins’ 18 points (Sasha Kaun had 12, Jeremy Case 11, Rodrick Stewart 10, Darrell Arthur 9, Mario Chalmers 8, Darnell Jackson 4 and Russell Robinson 3), led the alums, 42-29, at halftime.

With the score 50-48, Collins calmly swished a three to keep the KU players in control of a game decided by the first team to score 75 points.

“It was fun to get a chance to play against those guys,” said Collins, who made three three-pointers. “They are playing at the elite level. There was a little jaw-jacking before the game and in the locker room. It’s a good deal, though.”

Of his 18-point outburst, the 5-11 Collins, who said he now weighs 198 pounds, said: “I was just trying to have fun and trying to win a game. I didn’t pay attention to that. Coach stresses we get in the gym on our own to shoot extra. It’s what we are doing and it’s paying off now.”

¢ Thomas in town: Adam Thomas, a 7-foot-2 junior-to-be from Cal State Fullerton, who did not play basketball in high school, then competed at Penn Valley CC the last two years, scored one point while playing for the alumni team.

The Lee’s Summit, Mo., native chose Fullerton over Utah State, Pacific and Rhode Island.

“I just started playing basketball recently. It’s my third year of playing now. I’m working my way up,” said Thomas, who averaged eight points and six rebounds in community college.

“Everything was open when I was being recruited. I went with Cal State Fullerton because they recruited me heavily and have a very good program, what I was looking for.”

KU freshman Cole Aldrich sees potential in the 235-pound Thomas.

“He has a lot of rough edges around him. I’ve seen him play here a few times,” said 7-footer Aldrich, who showed good hands during the game in catching inside passes for his three buckets. “He will turn out to be a good player.”

¢ Scouting report: Alumni guard Michael Lee showed the effects of his injured right shoulder, hitting just one of five shots. … Aldrich scored one inside basket with his left hand. Normally he’s a righty. He had several rebounds and looked comfortable inside. … Tyrel Reed hit a pair of threes, while Chase Buford also swished a three. Conner Teahan missed two shots from the outside. … Jeremy Case sizzled early with three threes on three tries in the first half. He cooled off later. … Sasha Kaun had eight boards to go with 12 points. … Rodrick Stewart ended the game with a spectacular dunk off a lob from Chalmers.

¢ Now with the Bucks: Thomas explained how he became a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

“It’s a crazy story. Last summer I was working out with the (Washington) Wizards. The (Bucks) general manager’s son was rebounding for me. Unbeknownst to me, that was his son. My agent was contacted and he (a Bucks official) said his son had spoken highly of me and they had already had me on the board a couple of times. The Bucks said, ‘We’d love to have a look at him. We’ve heard nothing but good things about him.’ I’m just making sure I’m ready now.”

¢ First to 75, not 80: Originally, the winner was going to be the first team to 80 points. It was cut to 75 because of time constraints.

“It wouldn’t have been a problem if they let us know before the game. They scored 60 and said, ‘Oh by the way, we’re going to 75,'” Bradford said with a laugh. “Who knows? We might have won if it went to 80. That’s when experience is supposed to take over.”

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