Thomas invited to Pre-Draft camp

By Dena Beth Krischer

Daily Sports Writer

Oh, the places she'll go.

Senior forward Stacey Thomas has been invited to attend the invitation-only 2000 Women's National Basketball Association Pre-Draft Camp at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. The camp started yesterday and will continue through Saturday.

The pre-draft camp is composed of about 100 players - college seniors, veterans with professional experience and international players - all who have been hand-picked by the WNBA personnel department.

In addition, about 25 players who were eligible last year will participate at the camp, but will not be eligible for the 2000 Draft. Instead, they will be assigned to teams once the draft is completed.

"The pre-draft camp is an opportunity for team personnel to look at players up close and personal in a competitive environment," said director of WNBA communications Mark Pray. "Representatives from every WNBA team will be there."

How each player performs at camp will determine whether or not she will be invited back for the annual draft on Tuesday, Apr. 25.

"I don't know the level of competition," freshman center LeeAnn Bies said. "But I'm sure if she plays her game, stays calm and does what she needs to do, she'll do great."

Thomas finished her reign at Michigan with a bang, becoming only the second Wolverine in the history of the Michigan women's basketball program to be named to be named first team all-Big Ten.

Thomas holds the Big Ten steals record with 372, breaking the old record back on Jan. 8 against Purdue, and ranks 21st on the NCAA all-time steals list.

In the 1999-2000 season, Thomas led the Wolverines in scoring (14.5 ppg), rebounds (7.7 rpg) and steals (3.4 spg).

She ranks in 12 of Michigan's 14 career categories and is in the top five with points (fourth, 1,556), rebounds (second, 851), steals, blocked shots (fifth, 80) and games played (first, 115).

"We had a team meeting and coach said Stacey wouldn't be at the team banquet because she'd be at draft camp," Bies said. "We expected it. We're happy for her."

The prospective players will be tested on their skill, hop and shot over the course of the three days.

When Thomas reported to the camp at 8:30 a.m. yesterday, she and the other campers underwent a day-long physical examination that will be conducted by league-appointed medical personnel.

On Friday and Saturday, she will partake in on-court sessions at Moody Bible Institute's Solheim Center Gymnasium. The first half of the morning, the players will compete in drills and halfcourt games after a 15-minute warmup.

After media interviews and an hour-and-a-half lunch break, the players will be divided up into six teams that will play five hours of fullcourt games. Being invited to the camp is a definite honor for Thomas, but whether or not she's selected is another story.

"It's something you strive for," Bies said of being invited to the WNBA. "It's not something you plan."

If selected in the draft, Thomas will be the second Wolverine to play in the WNBA. Pollyanna Johns was the first Wolverine to be drafted back in 1998 by the Charlotte Sting.

Draft picks and their teammates will report to training camp at their respective teams' training facilities on May 3, and will begin playing preseason games on May 13. The WNBA tips off on May 29.

Forward Stacey Thomas is getting ready for more than just finals this weekend. The senior is also prepping herself for the WNBA Pre-Draft camp.

DANNY KALICK/Daily