Dazzle's Thomas Earns GATORADE Call-up
January 9, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Roanoke Dazzle News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C., January 9 – The Portland Trail Blazers have signed Roanoke Dazzle forward James Thomas to a 10-day contract, making him the second GATORADE Call-up of the National Basketball Development League season. Thomas will join the Blazers at Madison Square Garden today for a game against the New York Knicks.
A rookie from the University of Texas (Â’04), Thomas joins Asheville Altitude guard Kirk Penney as 2004-05 NBDL-to-NBA player promotions. Penney was signed by the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this season.
ThomasÂ’ 14.2 rebounds per game and nine double-doubles both lead the NBDL. He has played in and started 14 games for the Dazzle this season, averaging 37.3 minutes and 12.1 points. He has recorded double-figure rebounds in all 14 games this season, with a season-high 19 at Florida on November 21. Thomas has converted 65-of-130 field goal attempts (.500).
Thomas is the 41st GATORADE Call-up and the 30th player to earn a promotion since the NBDL began play in November 2001. He is the third Roanoke player to make the jump, joining current Clippers forward Mikki Moore, who was called up five times while playing with the Dazzle, and current Roanoke teammate Matt Carroll.
The NBDL, the NBAÂ’s minor league, includes the Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Huntsville Flight (Ala.), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.), Columbus Riverdragons (Ga.) and Asheville Altitude (N.C.).
The league offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBAÂ’s umbrella. In addition to 30 players, nine former NBDL coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 29 front office executives have also been called up to the NBA umbrella since the start of the leagueÂ’s inaugural season. Six additional front office executives have earned positions with other major league sports.
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The NBDL is a source of on-court talent for the NBAÂ’s 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.
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NBA G League Stories from January 9, 2005
- Dazzle's Thomas Earns GATORADE Call-up - Roanoke Dazzle
- NBDL daily developments - G League
- Bernard King Scores 29 In Huntsville's 102-87 win over Florida - Florida Flame
- Harrington's 24 leads Riverdragons to 90-86 victory over Patriots - Fayetteville Patriots
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