GSW’s Chandler Thomas selected for “Athletes in Action New Zealand Basketball Tour”

Published 3:28 pm Tuesday, July 12, 2016

From STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS — Former Georgia Southwestern men’s basketball standout, Chandler Thomas, has been selected to participate in the 2016 Athletes in Action New Zealand Basketball Tour from July 24 through August 14. The team is made up of 10 players from 10 different universities from across the country.
Before embarking to New Zealand, the team will attend a five-day training camp in Los Angeles, Calif., where they will train for games and prepare for their cross-cultural experience. In New Zealand, games are scheduled with university teams, club teams, and the New Zealand Breakers Development team. The team will also conduct youth camps and get to experience the local culture and see what is considered to be one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The team is being coached by Kelly Combs, who has 18 years of college coaching experience and has been on the Athletes in Action Staff since 2010. This is the third New Zealand tour he has coached (2013 and 2015).
“I am very excited about this group of young men,” Combs said. “I think they are all great people as well as basketball players. I believe this is a great opportunity for these young men to get international playing experience while giving them a chance to grow in their faith. It will be a life-changing experience.”
“Basketball provides such a unique experience for these guys,” tour director Jason Stankus said. “Many have never left North America and because of basketball they will get to go halfway around the world developing friendships with the influencers of a country.”
Thomas played in 24 games last season as a graduate student at GSW after transferring from NCAA Division I Ohio University. The Indianapolis, Ind., native averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for the Hurricanes and posted three double-doubles. Thomas led the Peach Belt Conference with an impressive 66.9 shooting percentage and was named to the 2015-16 Peach Belt All-Academic Team.
For more information about Athletes in Action, visit www.goaia.org.