Woodrow graduate Hassan Thomas is set to go pro in Portugal, making all of us here sufficiently jealous.

Photo courtesy of Emporia State.

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Thomas signed a contract with Sampaense Basket and will depart for Portugal in August. Sampaense competes in the Proliga League, the second-ranked basketball league in Portugal. (Hopefully, while off the court, Thomas will have the chance to sip champagne-sangria on the rocky beaches of Porto.)

Thomas was a first-team Class 5A all-state selection for Woodrow Wilson. After graduating, he played for two years at Illinois-Chicago before transferring to Emporia State University.  

As a senior, Thomas averaged 8.8 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Hornets. He had a season high 30 points against Bethel and a season-high 12 rebounds against Lindenwood. During one stretch in February, he scored in double figures in seven of eight games, according to the Emporia Gazette.

Thomas is the first men’s basketball player from the university to sign professionally since 2016.

“I’m very excited to get the opportunity to play professionally,” Thomas told the Gazette. “This has been something I’ve dreamt of since I was a child, so it is crazy to see my dream become reality. Portugal is a beautiful country, having a chance to live in Europe and play the game I love is amazing. The team and staff has been very welcoming and are very excited as well.”

Congratulations and bao sorte!