Bulls sign Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha
InsideHoops NewsWire | Aug. 1, 2006
The Chicago Bulls announced today the signings of 2006 Lottery picks Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Thomas (6-9, 215, Louisiana State) was drafted fourth overall by Portland in NBA Draft 2006 before being acquired, along with two-year veteran Viktor Khryapa, by Chicago on Draft night for the Bulls’ first round selection (second overall) of LaMarcus Aldridge. Last season as a redshirt-freshman at LSU, Thomas led the Tigers to the 2006 NCAA Final Four. He averaged 12.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg (second in SEC behind teammate Glen Davis) and an SEC-leading 3.09 bpg.
At the 2006 Pepsi Pro Summer League in Orlando earlier this summer, Thomas, 19, registered team-highs of 16.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 1.40 bpg to go along with 2.2 apg, 1.00 spg and 27.1 mpg. He started all five games and shot .444 from the field and .632 from the free throw line.
Sefolosha (6-5, 215, Switzerland) was also acquired by the Bulls in a Draft night deal. He was originally selected 13th overall by Philadelphia, then acquired by Chicago for the Bulls’ 16th overall selection of Rodney Carney, a future second round draft choice and cash. Last season, Sefolosha played in 21 games for Angelico Biella of Italy’s A League where he averaged 12.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 2.3 apg, and shot .500 from the floor, including .436 from three-point range, and .662 from the free throw line.
The 22-year-old Sefolosha also made his debut as a Bull in the 2006 Pepsi Pro Summer League in Orlando this summer and averaged 16.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.50 spg, 2.0 apg and 30.0 mpg in his two appearances. He shot a blazing .688 from the floor, including .333 from three-point range, and .692 from the free throw line.
Thomas will wear No. 24 and Sefolosha will don No. 2.
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