Ginny Weatherman

Former Kansas guard Billy Thomas sits behind the Kansas bench during Saturday’s game against Iowa State. Last week, Thomas, who is second in Jayhawk history with 269 three-point shots made, signed to play for the New Jersey Nets until the end of the season. He said he planned to sign a multi-year deal after the NBA season.

Former Kansas guard Billy Thomas during the 1997-98 season, his senior year.

Billy Thomas has been to a lot of games in Allen Fieldhouse, but something just felt different to him this time.

The round of applause he received didn’t surprise him, and neither did his front-row seat directly behind Kansas coach Bill Self.

What made watching Saturday’s game between Kansas and Iowa State so special for the former Kansas sharpshooter was that it was his first time in the Phog as an NBA player.

The 29-year-old recently signed with the New Jersey Nets and traveled to Lawrence during the NBA’s All-Star Break.

“I always get a warm reception,” he said. “This time, I’ve come back and I’m where I want to be in my professional life, and it’s even better.”

The journey Thomas took to achieve his dream of playing in the NBA couldn’t have been scripted more dramatically.

His rise to the top is the basketball equivalent of Cinderella going to the ball.

The former guard, who played at Kansas from 1995 to 1998, was overlooked by every NBA franchise. This oversight happened despite making 269 three-point shots during his college career, which is the second most of any Jayhawk.

He graduated as Kansas’ all-time leading three-point shooter, but Jeff Boschee eventually passed him with 338.

For years, his college record was the only thing people knew about him.

Until now, that is.

“It is a fairy tale story and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person and a nicer young man,” former Kansas coach Roy Williams said. “I’ve spoken to Billy a few times, and I’m just so happy for him, because he’s a kid that persevered. He never made much money at it, but has just been willing to keep at it because he’s got a big-time dream.”

After spending seven years in American minor league systems, such as the National Basketball Development League, the United States Basketball League and the International Basketball League, he played overseas in the Philippines, Italy and Argentina. He finally got called up to the NBA on a 10-day contract earlier this year.

He took full advantage of his opportunity and scored 12 points in two separate games and helped New Jersey to a four-game winning streak.

In a game against the Golden State Warriors, Thomas came off the bench with his team trailing in the fourth quarter.

He played strong defense and scored seven unanswered points to lead New Jersey to victory.

The Nets viewed him as the sharp-shooting guard they needed and signed him to a second 10-day contract. He continued to excel and recently received a contract extension for the remainder of the season.

“It’s like any dream,” Thomas said. “Once you attain it, you feel that all your hard work and prayers have been answered.”

Since getting the call to join the Nets, Thomas has scored an average of 5.9 points a game to go along with 2.2 rebounds per contest. He scored a career-high 14 points against the Los Angeles Lakers and increased his playing time to nearly 21 minutes a game.

New Jersey has a 23-30 record, but with the addition of Thomas and All-Star Vince Carter, the team is showing signs of improvement. It still has a shot at the playoffs, because the Atlantic-Division-leading Boston Celtics are only 27-27.

“It takes first class to a higher level,” Thomas said of playing in the NBA. “Right now, we’re talking about finishing the year strong, and we’ll talk about multi-year deals down the road.”

Spending seven years working hard without a reward would cause many to give up, but Thomas is a different breed.

After he played for teams like the Dakota Wizards of the CBA and the Greenville Groove of the NBDL, he was never discouraged.

“I never doubted myself, because I had a strong belief in God and faith in the ability that God blessed me with,” Thomas said. “I just knew one day I’d get there.”

It’s hard to believe he stayed so positive, especially because he scored 49 points in a single game while in the NBDL, and no NBA team took notice.

He was also reunited with long-time friend and college teammate, Jacque Vaughn. This has been an added bonus for Thomas.

“That’s been nice. It helped me transition into the NBA after playing in all the minor leagues,” Thomas said. “He’s been the crutch for me to lean on whenever I’ve needed anything.”

The Nets viewed him as the sharp-shooting guard they needed and signed him to a second 10-day contract.

He continued to excel and recently received a contract extension for the remainder of the season.

“It’s like any dream,” Thomas said. “Once you attain it, you feel that all your hard work and prayers have been answered.”

Since getting the call to join the Nets, Thomas has scored an average of 5.9 points a game to go along with 2.2 rebounds per contest.

He scored a career-high 14 points against the Los Angeles Lakers and increased his playing time to nearly 21 minutes a game.

New Jersey has a 23-30 record, but with the addition of Thomas and All-Star Vince Carter, the team is showing signs of improvement. It still has a shot at the playoffs, because the Atlantic-Division-leading Boston Celtics are only 27-27.

“It takes first class to a higher level,” Thomas said of playing in the NBA. “Right now, we’re talking about finishing the year strong, and we’ll talk about multi-year deals down the road.”

Spending seven years working hard without a reward would cause many to give up, but Thomas is a different breed.

After he played for teams like the Dakota Wizards of the CBA and the Greenville Groove of the NBDL, he was never discouraged.

“I never doubted myself, because I had a strong belief in God and faith in the ability that God blessed me with,” Thomas said. “I just knew one day I’d get there.”

It’s hard to believe he stayed so positive, especially because he scored 49 points in a single game while in the NBDL, and no NBA team took notice.

He was also reunited with long-time friend and college teammate, Jacque Vaughn. This has been an added bonus for Thomas.

“That’s been nice. It helped me transition into the NBA after playing in all the minor leagues,” Thomas said. “He’s been the crutch for me to lean on whenever I’ve needed anything.”

— Edited by Jennifer Voldness