Billy Thomas
2002-03: Greenville Groove
Guard, Kansas, Ht. 6-4, Wt. 208
High School: Loyola Prep HS, Shreveport, Louisiana
Birthdate: December 23, 1975 (Shreveport, LA)
Billy Thomas has played professionally both domestically and abroad since his four-year stint at Kansas University under the tutelage of Roy Williams. He spent time in the Philippines and with the ABA.
Thomas was named to the Big 12 Conference's All-Most Improved Team after his senior season. He finished his career the most prolific three-point shooter in Kansas history. One of the top Allen Fieldhouse memories from this season came Dec. 13, 1997 when he broke the career three-point field goals record, then pointed to his mother, Eddie Mae, in the stands. Thomas ranked third in the Big 12 and 29th nationally in three-point field goals per game (3.0). Thomas also led the Jayhawks and ranked 10th in the Big 12 for steals (1.7 per game). Finished his senior year ranked third on the team and 16th in league in scoring (13.6 ppg.). Also rated seventh in the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.478) and was second on the team in assists with 101.
Played in all 36 games as a junior... Named to the Big 12 Conference's All-Bench Team... Averaged 15.9 minutes of action per game... Led the team in three-point field goals (73) and three-point attempts (178)... His 73 three-point field goals were the fifth-most single-season treys in Kansas history... His three-point field goal percentage (41.0 percent) was fifth-best in the Big 12 Conference... Led all Jayhawk reserves in scoring (7.7 points per game)... Shot better from three-point range (.410) than from inside the arc (.382)... Ranked eighth in the Big 12 Conference for three-point field goals made per game (2.0)... Hit three 3-point field goals for nine points in Maui Invitational win over California... Scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting in just 15 minutes in key road win at UCLA Dec. 7... Scored a career-high 21 points in Jan. 2 thrashing of Brown... Came off the bench for 14 points including four three-point goals in Jan. 29 road win at Texas Tech... Scored 17 points and was 5-of-8 from three-point range in double-overtime loss at Missouri Feb. 4... Scored 12 points and sank four three-pointers in Feb. 15 win over visiting Colorado... Broke a shooting slump in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Purdue by making 3-of-4 three-point field goal attempts for nine points... Nearly led Kansas to one of its greatest comebacks ever with three 3-point field goals and 13 points in season-ending loss to Arizona in the NCAA Tournament.
Named to the Big Eight's All-Bench team as a sophomore... Played in all 34 games despite nagging injuries and a late-season virus... Of his 54 field goals made, 42 came from three-point range... Was KU's second-leading scorer off the bench (4.7 points per game)... Played around 11 minutes per game, usually subbing for Jerod Haase at shooting guard... Made just over one-third of his three-point field goal attempts (42-of-125)... Ranked second on the team in three-point goals (42) and three-point attempts (125)... Made 10-of-14 free throw attempts for a solid 71.4 percent... Led Kansas in scoring twice... Had a dozen games with multiple three-point field goals... Scored in double figures six times... Knocked down a pair of key three-pointers in Dec. 2 win over UCLA... Came off the bench for 11 points, including three three-point goals in Dec. 9 win at Rice... Made three 3-point goals in Dec. 18 win over visiting Pittsburg State... Scored nine points -- all on three-point goals -- in Jan. 6 home victory over SMU... Poured in 16 points and dished out a pair of assists in Jan. 15 win over St. Peter's... Sank 5-of-8 three-point attempts en route to a season-high 18 points in a win versus Oklahoma State... Erupted for 11 points including three 3-point goals in Big Eight Tournament win over Colorado.
Earned a spot on the Big Eight's All-Freshman Team... Played in all 31 games, started two and averaged 15.2 minutes per contest... Converted at least one three-point field goal in all but eight games... Made at least one three-point field goal in the first five games of his college career... Scored in all but three games and reached double figures nine times... In a home win over Colorado (Jan. 31), Thomas came off the bench to nail three 3-point field goals, record one assist, one steal and score 15 points in a 99-77 victory... Converted all six free throws against Nebraska and finished with 14 points (Feb. 14)... In the regular season finale March 5, Thomas came off the bench to score a then career-high 17 points, making 5-of-9 three-point field goals in KU's title-clinching win over Oklahoma State...Was the CBS Player of the Game after scoring a then career-high 19 points in NCAA Tournament first-round win over Colgate... Was KU's second-leading scorer (10.7 points per game) in three NCAA Tournament games... Kansas was undefeated (9-0) when Thomas scored in double figures.
Graduated from Shreveport Loyola Prep in 1994... Averaged more than 28 points per game as a senior... Also averaged 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots per contest... Coached at Loyola Prep by Brock Kantrow... Shot 58 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range... Participated in the USA All-Star Classic in Kansas City, scoring 14 points... Led the USA all-stars to a 122-89 win over Missouri all-stars... Also played football for the Flyers.
Son of Eddie Mae Thomas... Born Dec. 23, 1975 in Shreveport... Nicknames are "B.T." and "Thrill"... Given name is Billy Duwayne Thomas.
