March 27, 2007 - Jason Thompson Named to 2007 collegeinsider.com Defensive All-American Team
March 27, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s College Basketball
Rider’s Thompson Defensive All-American
LAWRENCEVILLE—Jason Thompson of the Rider University basketball team was named to the CollegeInsider.com 2007 Defensive All-America team, the second major award for Thompson from collegeinsider.com after being named a Mid-Major All-American last week. The defensive award for Thompson includes all players from Division I. "It was nice to see Jason honored for his defensive efforts this season," said head coach Tommy Dempsey.
A 6’10” junior forward from Mt. Laurel (Lenape), Thompson was one of just three players in Division I to average more than 20 points (20.1) and 10 rebounds (10.1) per game. The other two were Kevin Durant of Texas and Nick Fazekas of Nevada.
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Thompson was a first team All-MAAC and second team All-District 3 selection. He was first in the MAAC in rebounding and blocked shots, third in scoring, eighth in field goal percentage and 15th in free throw percentage. Nationally, Thompson ranked 10th in rebounding, 24th in scoring, 34th in blocks and 76th in field goal percentage.
"So many people focus on the offensive side of the ball with all of the post-season awards," Dempsey said "and any coach will tell you just how important it is to have a great defender. Whenever you can lead your conference in rebounding and blocked shots that is pretty impressive."
Thompson enters his senior year with 1,346 career points, 11th highest ever at Rider, and 759 rebounds, sixth highest ever at Rider.
Thompson compiled 17 ‘double-doubles’ this season and now has 30 ‘double-doubles’ in three seasons. Thompson grabbed 20 rebounds in a victory over Manhattan this season, tying the Rider record for caroms in a game.
-RU-
collegeInsider.com 2007 DEFENSIVE ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Antonio Anderson G 6-6 So. Memphis, Corey Brewer F 6-9 Jr. Florida,
Mario Chalmers G 6-1 So. Kansas, Chaz Crawford F 6-10 Sr. Drexel,
Darren Collison G 6-0 So. UCLA, Marcus Dove G/F 6-9 Jr. Oklahoma State,
Zabian Dowdell G 6-3 Sr. Virginia Tech, Randal Falker F 6-7 Jr. Southern Illinois,
Jamon Gordon G 6-3 Sr. Virginia Tech, Roy Hibbert C 7-2 Jr. Georgetown,
Mychal Kearse G 6-4 Sr. Mount St. Mary's, Dominique Kirk G 6-3 Jr. Texas A&M,
Stephane Lasme F 6-8 Sr. Massachusetts, Acie Law G 6-3 Sr. Texas A&M,
Jerel McNeal G 6-3 So. Marquette, Greg Oden C 7-1 Fr. Ohio State,
Garrett Temple G 6-5 So. LSU, Jason Thompson F 6-10 Jr. Rider,
Travis Walton G 6-2 So. Michigan State, Akeem Wright G 6-6 Sr. Kansas State,
Tony Young G 6-0 Sr. Southern Illinois
NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Darren Collison (UCLA)
MID-MAJOR DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Chaz Crawford (Drexel)
