March 27, 2008

In need of a team, former Holy Cross guard Torey Thomas flooded Europe with e-mails and inquiries. He finally got a response from an agent in Sweden, Frankie Afzelius, who reviewed a DVD of Thomas in action.

Thomas was soon signed by Akropol, a team based in Stockholm. He found himself in a more desirable country, playing for a team that recognized his talents.

When Thomas arrived, Akropol was 0-11. Over its final 22 games, behind its new 5-foot-10 point guard, the team went 9-13. Thomas averaged 25 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 3.1 steals. In one game, Thomas played against former NBA great Scottie Pippen. He outscored Pippen, 22-21.

Akropol beat the two best teams in the league, ending their respective winning streaks of 15 and 12 games. Akropol avoided the cellar and, like European soccer teams, falling out of the top league. It maintained all of its sponsors.

For the complete article from Dave Ruden of the Stamford (Conn.) Advocate click here