Report: Former No. 4 pick Tyrus Thomas signs in Germany
Tyrus Thomas' designs on another NBA comeback have been put on hold.
The former No. 4 overall pick has signed with Eisbaeren Bremerhaven of the German league, according to a report from Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports. That puts to rest any possibility of Thomas landing with an NBA team ahead of camps starting up later this month.
"I talked to my agent and we are just trying to see what's the best fit," Thomas told Basketball Insiders in mid-August. "I would love to be on a training camp roster."
Highly touted out of LSU in 2006, Thomas was solid over his first four seasons, at first showing improvement but then stagnating, leading the Chicago Bulls to swing him to the Charlotte Hornets nee-Bobcats. Thomas' role quickly shrunk after signing a five-year, $40-million deal in July 2010, and Charlotte waived him after the 2012-13 season.
Rather than head to the D-League or overseas, Thomas opted to stay away from pro ball for a few years altogether. Last season, the Memphis Grizzlies gave him a look on a 10-day contract - Thomas says he wasn't 100 percent back to form yet - and played just seven minutes. He also spent 16 games in the D-League, averaging 5.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 18.7 minutes while shooting 34 percent.
The springy 6-foot-9 forward is now 29, and he'll have to really impress in Germany to warrant NBA consideration next offseason.
Over 402 career games, Thomas averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 19.7 minutes.