Albany Forward James Thomas Signs 10-Day Contract with Chicago Bulls
Published on January 27, 2006 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Boise, ID (January 27, 2006) - Albany Patroons forward James Thomas signed a 10-day contract today with the Chicago Bulls, making him the ninth NBA call-up of the season for the Continental Basketball Association and the first for Albany, which is in its first year back in the league after a 12-year hiatus. Thomas will available tonight when the Bulls host the Washington Wizards at the United Center at 7:30 P.M. CT. He will wear No. 30.
Thomas, originally drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 CBA College Draft by the Yakama Sun Kings, signed with Albany on Dec. 23, 2005. The 2004 Texas alum has appeared in 26 NBA games over the past two years with Atlanta, Portland and most recently with Philadelphia. Thomas made the 76ers' 2005 opening-night roster and played in 15 games, averaging 1.5 points and 2.1 rebounds, before being released.
In 12 games for the Patroons this season, the 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward is averaging 19.7 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He is shooting 51.2 pct. from the field and 68.6 pct. from the free-throw line. Thomas scored a season-high 28 points twice this year while pulling down a season-high 20 rebounds on three occasions. He registered 11 double-doubles in his 12 games with the Patroons.
Thomas also played in this year's 22nd CBA All-Star Classic on Jan. 17 for the Eastern Conference squad, scoring 17 points with a game-high 16 rebounds in 35 minutes of action.
Thomas becomes the third CBA player to sign with the Chicago Bulls this season, following Gary's Randy Holcomb (Jan. 5) and Sioux Falls' Stephen Graham (Jan. 17). For Graham, his signing with the Bulls was his second call-up of the year with the other coming Dec. 10 via the Houston Rockets.
Other CBA players to be called up to the NBA this year include: Michigan's Darrick Martin (Nov. 16) by Toronto; Idaho's Josh Davis (three times) by Milwaukee, Houston and Phoenix; and Yakama's Ronny Turiaf (Jan. 18) by the Los Angeles Lakers.
CBA-to-NBA Call-Ups for 2005-06
Date Player CBA Team NBA Team
11/ 16 Darrick Martin Michigan Mayhem Toronto Raptors
12/05 Josh Davis Idaho Stampede Milwaukee Bucks
12/10 Stephen Graham! Sioux Falls Skyforce Houston Rockets
12/29 Josh Davis Idaho Stampede Houston Rockets
01/05 Randy Holcomb Gary Steelheads Chicago Bulls
01/09 Josh Davis* Idaho Stampede Phoenix Suns
01/17 Stephen Graham! Sioux Falls Skyforce Chicago Bulls
01/18 Ronny Turiaf! Yakama Sun Kings Los Angeles Lakers
01/27 James Thomas Albany Patroons Chicago Bulls
* - Ties CBA single-season record for call-ups by a player.
! - Rookie
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from January 27, 2006
- CBA Transactions - CBA 1
- Stampede Activate Davis - Idaho Stampede
- Steelheads Host Defending CBA Champion Skyforce - Gary Steelheads
- Albany Forward James Thomas Signs 10-Day Contract with Chicago Bulls - CBA 1
- Skyforce take down Mayhem on the road - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Ronnie Adds to the Lightning Record Books - Rockford Lightning
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