Murray State University Athletics
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Danero Thomas Makes Africa Tour With Athletes In Action
8/26/2008 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
From late May to early June, Thomas was part of an AIA collegiate basketball team that toured parts of Africa, including
“It's hard to explain all that I experienced on this trip,” Thomas said. “I can tell you that it changed my life.”
Thomas said he could sum up the trip in three areas, faith, community service, and basketball.
Thomas arrived in
“It was crazy,” Thomas said. “I'd never been on a plane for that long.”
The AIA team stayed in
“They had some different rules that we had to get used to,” Thomas said. “For example, they called traveling a little strange and you could goal tend after the ball hit the rim.”
At
After a flight to
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The AIA team played nine games while in
From a basketball perspective, Thomas improved as a player and actually spent some time at point guard.
“I had never played the point before, I had fun doing it, but I prefer the wing.” Thomas said.
He played 10 games on the trip, plus practice time and used it all to prepare himself for the 2008-09 season with the Racers.
“International basketball is very physical,” Thomas said. “You have to play physical or you won't succeed, and that's going to help me this season having experienced it.”
The biggest change for Danero Thomas came before he left the country. “I got saved in
Thomas is not fond of public speaking, but he did manage to give his testimony while in
“I was nervous,” Thomas said. “There were 2,000 people there, and when I spoke to them, I was telling everything to an interpreter and he was relaying it to the people. It's something I'll never get.”
A big part of the AIA trip was connecting with children as the team visited several schools. Thomas was struck by the quality of living most people have in the area.
“I saw some children that don't have much,” Thomas said. “And your heart just goes out to them, and you want to help them all you can.”
Thomas said he gave away everything that he took on the trip including shoes, clothing, t-shirts, socks, toiletries, towels, etc.
“I left the
I'm thankful that Danero had this experience,” MSU Head Coach Billy Kennedy said. “I challenge my players to train themselves mentally and spiritually as well as physically. This trip allowed him to do that and I believe it will help him become a better player on and off the court.”
Thomas played with other student-athletes from teams including,
“I made some great friends on this trip,” Thomas said. “Ramon Harris from
Athletes in Action was founded in 1966 by David Hannah and has a ministry presence in 85 countries, on nearly 100
