SPORTS BRIEFS: Thursday, July 8, 1999

Two Palestra athletes are picked in the first round of the NBA Draft Thomas was chosen by the Houston Rockets with the 22nd pick in the draft. The power forward from New Mexico led the Lobos to the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons and averaged 15.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in his collegiate career. Thomas, who will turn 22 later this month, was the ninth forward picked in the draft. The Atlanta Hawks chose Jones with the 27th pick, but traded the Georgia forward to the Philadelphia 76ers for a future first-round pick. Jones, who played just two seasons for the Bulldogs, led the Southeastern Conference in scoring last season. A first-team All-SEC member, Jones averaged 16.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in his 65-game collegiate career. Thomas and Jones had been in the Palestra on weekday mornings earlier in the summer to take part in the practices organized by John Hardnett and Fred Rodgers. These practices include members of the Penn basketball team, other college athletes and NBA players such as the Sixers' Aaron McKie and the Rockets' Cuttino Mobley. Although it is uncertain whether Jones will be back this summer, Hardnett expects Thomas to return to the Palestra in three weeks. -- Jason Bodnar Braves send ex-Penn athlete back to minors Mark DeRosa, who was called up on June 9 to replace injured Walt Weiss, was sent back to Class-AAA Richmond by the Braves last Thursday when Weiss returned from the disabled list. DeRosa, who was drafted by Atlanta after his junior year at Penn in 1996, was 0-for-8 at the plate with two strikeouts in his three-week call-up. The infielder played in seven games while with the Braves. -- J.B.