Lance Thomas purchased five pieces of custom diamond jewelry worth $97,800 on Dec. 21, 2009 while in the middle of his senior season at Duke. Thomas is being sued be a New York firm for failing to pay the balance of his bill.
Documents included with the suit indicate Thomas made a $30,000 down payment and received $67,800 in credit from the firm, the balance that remains unpaid.
Thomas started 39 games during the 09-10 season, which saw Duke go on to win the national championship.
Thomas played last season for the New Orleans Hornets.
A Duke spokesman said the university knows about the lawsuit and is looking into it.
''We have been made aware of a lawsuit filed by a jeweler against former men's basketball player Lance Thomas and we are currently looking into the matter,'' said Jon Jackson, the school's associate athletic director for media relations.