THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996 TAG: 9603160120
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
ONE OF PROFESSIONAL basketball's all-time greats is coming to Portsmouth for the 1996 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and will headline the annual Celebrity Luncheon.
Former Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas, now the vice president of basketball operations for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA, has accepted an invitation to speak at the April 5 luncheon program at Holiday Inn-Portside.
The 44th annual PIT is scheduled in the Churchland High School gym April 3-6.
Thomas joined the Raptors in May 1994 after a distinguished 13-year professional playing career with Detroit. He led the Pistons to consecutive NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.
The point guard is the all-time leader in scoring, assists and steals for the Pistons.
Thomas was selected to the starting lineup for the NBA All-Star game for 12 consecutive years and was the most valuable player in the 1984 and 1986 games. He also was chosen as the most valuable player in the 1990 NBA finals.
He attended Indiana University, playing for Bobby Knight, and sparked the Hoosiers to the NCAA Championship in 1981. He was chosen the outstanding player in the tournament.
In 1980 Thomas was picked for the U. S. Olympic basketball team but did not compete because of the boycott. He was chosen on ``Dream Team II'' for the 1994 World Championship of Basketball in Toronto but was unable to play because of a torn Achilles tendon.
Thomas served as president of the National Basketball Players Association from 1988 to 1994.
``Through the years we've had some of the biggest names in pro basketball speak at our Celebrity Luncheon,'' said PIT chairman Mahlon Parker. ``Certainly Isiah Thomas is one of those.''
Added Parker: ``Most of all we are especially pleased that the luncheon and the tournament, with our other fund-raising projects, will enable us to continue supporting charitable and non-profit organizations and provide scholarships from the PIT.
``We are proud that the success of this year's tournament will enable us to contribute approximately $19,000 to those causes.
``During the past 20 years we have provided over s$300,000 to many worthwhile groups and individual recipients.''
A social will start at 11:30 a.m. on April 5 and the noon luncheon will be catered by Rodman's Barbecue. In addition to the PIT players, the luncheon also draws many of the attending officers and scouts for NBA teams. A limited number of tickets will be available to the general public. Commerce Bank is general sponsor of the luncheon. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Isiah Thomas is vice president of basketball operations for the
NBA's Toronto Raptors.
by CNB