Vipers Acquire Former Bronc
April 10, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
HIDALGO, TEXAS - The NBA D-League Rio Grande Valley Vipers announced today that they have acquired former University of Texas Pan-American Bronc Thomas Sanders from the D-League Player Pool. Sanders will be in uniform for tonight's 8:30 p.m. road game against the Austin Toros.
A native of Sugarland, Sanders played in 24 games for the Broncs during the 2004-05 season, hitting 14 of his 37 shot-attempts. He averaged 8.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per 40 minutes.
He want on to play with the Vermont Frost Heaves of the Premier Basketball League from January 9-to-April 1, where he averaged 9.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 58.6% from the field in 21.7 minutes of action per contest in 20 games.
His best game came on February 20 against the Halifax Rainmen, when he scored 17-points and recorded nine rebounds (five offensive) in a season-high 35 minutes of work.
The 23-year old was the 5th round draft pick of the Vipers in the 2008 D-League draft, but did not make the team out of training camp.
"We're pleased to be able to end Thomas to our season-ending roster. Thomas had a productive year in the PBL and we're anxious to see what kind of professional growth he's made with his game. We know he brings great intensity and energy to the floor. With the injury to Stanley Asumnu, it's something we feel we sorely need heading into these last two against Austin," Vipers head coach Clay Moser said.
A 6-3, 210 pound forward, Sanders transferred to Gardner-Webb University, where he was named Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year for the 2007-08 season after becoming the first GWU player in 20 years to average a double-double (18.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game). The last player to accomplish that feat was Hall-of-Famer Stan Easterling (1987-88). Sanders had the highest single-season rebounding total at GWU since NBA-standout John Drew averaged 13 per game during the 2973-74 season. Sanders also became the first Runnin' Bulldog to ever win that award, after becoming the second player in A-Sun history to finish in the league's top-10 in scoring (2nd - 19.1 per game), rebounds (1st - 12.1 per game) and assists (8th - 1.9 per game) while setting a new league record for double-doubles (20). Michael Beasley was one of only two players to record more double-doubles than Sanders.
Sanders led the nation in rebounding among players under the height of 6'5.
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