National : Rider big man Thompson dominates MAAC, has NBA in sights
Jason Thompson averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds for the Rider men’s basketball team last season, yet the senior forward felt unsure about himself. The Mt. Laurel, N.J., native said he didn’t fare well against the big-time programs the Broncs encountered last season.
With a goal of reaching the NBA or playing overseas after his years at Rider are finished, Thompson decided to attend the LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire summer camps in hope of becoming better and making his goal clearer.
The goal is now crystal clear.
With a new sense of confidence Thompson said the camps instilled into him, Thompson is a projected first-round draft pick for Rider while leading the Broncs to an 18-7 record and a tie for first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Thompson is establishing himself as one of the best big men in the country this year, averaging 20.1 points and 12.1 rebounds. Three times this season, Thompson has had at least 20 points and 20 rebounds, which no player has done in the past 12 years.
Thompson described the camps as high school camps for the All-American players where top college players in the country, such as Thompson, served as the counselors. After the high school players finished, the college players would work out with the NBA trainers and then play pick-up games against James, Stoudemire and some other NBA players.
‘(The camps) were going to give me a confidence boost coming into this year, but I played well and (playing in the NBA) is one of my dreams, and it’s looking more clear than it did before I got to those camps,’ Thompson said.
Guarding James and Stoudemire is a hard enough task for NBA players, so for Thompson, he said it was a learning experience during these games as he tried to take on some of the best players in the world. He said he faired pretty well, and people at the camp noticed that he wasn’t shying away from playing the top competition. People started to look at him differently.
‘Playing against the top college guys in the country and the top NBA players in the world definitely gave me confidence,’ Thompson said. ‘It would have been different if I didn’t play well, and I would’ve been unsure of myself, but I played well and got a lot of respect. I knew if I could fare well against them I could do well and dominated in the MAAC.’
Dominating the MAAC might be an understatement. In 14 league games, Thompson has scored in double-digit points in every one, while pulling down 10 or more rebounds 11 times. Thompson is playing his way into consideration for being selected in the first round of the NBA Draft while gaining attention from media all over the country.
His success isn’t just in the MAAC. Early in the season, Thompson got a big challenge at the Old Spice Classic. In the tournament, Rider took on North Carolina State, Penn State and Kansas State. Thompson said it was at the tournament where he really began to see himself playing better and more confident. In the consolation final against Kansas State, Thompson statistically outmatched one of the country’s highest ranked freshman, Michael Beasley. While Beasley had 13 points and 10 rebounds, Thompson had 24 points and 10 boards.
‘They say he might be the No. 1 overall draft pick and for me to get a shot against him and get some better looks, I knew I had to play good in that game,’ Thompson said. ‘I showed that I was impressive, and that I could be up in the same caliber of talks, maybe not top five, but in the area.’
The result from his newfound confidence is something those around Thompson have taken notice of.
‘He’s shooting the ball with more confidence and posting up better, and everything is going well for him,’ said Thompson’s brother and teammate, Ryan Thompson. ‘He’s an overall versatile player, he can go inside, and he can go outside. He can post up, shoot the ball and dribble. He’s just an overall good player.’
Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey made the point of the difference in Thompson from earlier in his career to where he is now. He said in his previous years, Thompson did not realize how good he was, but after this summer, noticed he was one of the best players in the country, which has translated into how he plays the game better.
He also made mention of how Thompson has turned some of his weaknesses into strengths. These include becoming stronger, becoming a better player when his back is to the basket on offense and a better ballhandler.
Siena head coach Fran McCaffery said the types of games Thompson has had this season, such as his 26-point and 24-rebound performance against Siena, have become typical for what he calls a dominant player. He also says there is no doubt to whether Thompson will be playing in the NBA this fall.
‘As a player and coach, this is my 31st year in Division I,’ McCaffery said. ‘He is without a doubt and it’s not even a question (a future NBA player). He does everything well, and he’s got character.’
Thompson says he doesn’t care where he gets drafted and won’t be picky come draft day. He’s looking forward to what looms ahead.
‘It’s exciting,’ Thompson said. ‘I’m looking forward to hopefully winning a championship, doing the workouts, going to the camps and trying to play well so I can surprise some people. It just shows for me to have a shot that all the hard work that I’ve done over the years has paid off.’
No. 1 Memphis at Alabama-Birmingham
Saturday, 8 p.m.
With Tennessee looming a week away, the Tigers might be prone for a road trap game against UAB, who is undefeated at home this season.
UAB is no stranger to big games, as the Blazers have made several recent tournaments, and have an experienced coach in Mike Davis.
Expect a close game, but the Tigers will prevail and set up the possible game of the year against the Volunteers.
Published on February 14, 2008 at 12:00 pm
