Lawsuit: Duke player purchased $100,000 in jewelry

DALLAS (AP) — A starter on Duke's 2010 national championship basketball team purchased nearly $100,000 in custom jewelry that season from a New York firm that caters to professional athletes, and he's now being sued for failing to pay the balance of what he owes.

Lance Thomas purchased five pieces of diamond jewelry at a cost of $97,800 on Dec. 21, 2009, in the middle of his senior season, according the lawsuit. Documents included with the suit indicate he made a $30,000 down payment and received $67,800 in credit from the firm, the balance that remains unpaid.

Thomas started 39 games at forward during the 2009-2010 season, including the Blue Devils' 61-59 victory over Butler in the national championship game. He wasn't drafted by an NBA team but played for the New Orleans Hornets last season.

The Associated Press recently obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which was filed in January but hasn't been publicly disclosed. It was filed in Austin, Texas, because Thomas was playing for the Austin Toros of the NBA Developmental League at the time.

A Duke spokesman said the university knows about the lawsuit and is looking into it.

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