Former Duke player Lance Thomas says jewelry purchase broke no NCAA rules

Former Duke basketball player Lance Thomas says he doesn't think he committed any NCAA violations after purchasing $97,000 worth of jewelry while still in school. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Former Duke basketball player Lance Thomas says he didn't break any NCAA rules when he purchased more than $97,000 in jewelry from a New York City store during his senior season with the team, reports The Herald Sun.

Thomas replied, “No. I don’t think so," when asked if he was involved in an NCAA violation. “There’s more to it but I’m not going to comment on it right now. “Everything will unfold once everything is taken care of the right way.”

Thomas was sued in a Texas court last January for nonpayment of a $67,800 balance for the jewelry.

Thomas played 39 games for the 2009-10 Blue Devils team, who went on to win the national championship.

“I do feel bad that that was something that is lingering around the university,” Thomas said. “But everything is going to be taken care of the right way. I hope the coaching staff and the whole university know that those were the best four years of my life and I love Duke until I die. But I have to take care of things the right way and I’ll reach back out to them when I can."