July 28, 2007 - Lenape graduate Thompson emerges as an NBA prospect / By: KEVIN MINNICK / Courier Post
Lenape graduate Thompson emerges as an NBA prospect
By KEVIN MINNICK
Courier-Post Staff
Averaging better than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game is quite impressive.
In fact, only three NCAA Division I men's basketball players accomplished that feat last season. Two were taken in June's NBA draft -- Texas freshman Kevin Durant and Nevada senior Nick Fazekas.
The third?
How about Jason Thompson.
The 6-foot-10 Lenape High School graduate averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 boards for Rider University last season. His numbers, and his impressive play this summer, have created quite a stir with NBA scouts.
Jason Thompson, a bonafide NBA prospect? It seems as if he's well on his way.
"One of my goals individually is to make it to the next level -- the NBA, to get drafted," Thompson said. "Part of my expectations is to get national exposure. Going to camps, I'm getting exposure to a lot of NBA scouts.
"If people say I'm a second-rounder, I want to be a first-round pick. If they say I'm a first-round pick, I want to be in the lottery. I'm always striving."
Said Rider coach Tommy Dempsey: "You don't want to put the cart before the horse, but the NBA is going to certainly be a distinct possibility. But first, he needs to have a tremendous senior year and I believe he will.
"He's playing great in the (Jersey Shore) summer league and when he's here with us, he's working hard in the weight room. He's really doing all he can to put himself in position to have a great senior year."
Thompson is making sure the heads that turned his way last season stay that way. And those that didn't begin to see his talents.
In a recent Jersey Shore game in Belmar, Thompson had 48 points and 23 rebounds.
"Jason is going to have great numbers," Dempsey said. "What makes a significant impact on people is whether or not his team wins. It's not all about Jason, but he needs to have a great year -- not just personally. If you're that good, your team will win."
Thompson attended two LeBron James all-star camps in Akron, Ohio, as well as Amare Stoudamire's camp in Arizona. He's scheduled to leave Aug. 5 for Las Vegas, where he's been invited to attend the 31st annual Pete Newell Big Man Camp.
From there, Thompson may head to Chicago for workouts with several NBA players.
"The last (James camp) had all of the top guys in the country," said Thompson. "I got some good reviews from some of the coaches that worked it and NBA scouts. I played real well and was able to see how I stack up against some of the top talent in the country.
"The Stoudamire camp was a real test. Some said I showed some versatility."
His play at the second James camp prompted veteran New York Daily News basketball writer Dick "Hoops" Weiss to say: "The best NBA prospect in the New Jersey-New York market next year has to be 6-10 Jason Thompson of Rider, who distinguished himself with his play in the high-powered pickup games at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron. Heck, the guy even held his own against the King."
Needless to say, Thompson is enjoying the ride.
"A lot of things are happening for him," said Bill Lange, who coached Thompson at Lenape -- the two leading the Indians to a 28-1 record and the Group 4 state title in 2004.
"I'm getting calls from NBA teams, calls about how he is as a person, his personality. Did I see the potential, the possibility? Yeah."
Thompson's career seems to have shifted into overdrive this summer. No longer is he interested in being one of the best at the mid-major level.
"I got some (looks) last year with the numbers that I had, but I want to be a national All-American," he said.
"I see some guys and they just keep playing the same. That makes me want to go to the gym for a couple more hours, makes me want to lift more and work harder." Reach Kevin Minnick at (856) 486-2424 or kminnick@courierpostonline.com
July 28. 2007 3:10AM
JASON THOMPSON
High school: Lenape
College: Rider University
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-11, 260
Last season: Averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds. Was 10th in the nation in rebounding, 24th in scoring, 34th in blocks and 76th in field-goal percentage.
Career stats: Has 1,346 career points (11th all-time) and 759 career rebounds (sixth). He has a chance at to become the first player in Rider history to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 boards.
Honors: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season . . . member of the CollegeInsider.com 2007 Defensive All-American team . . . named to CollegeInsider.com 2007 Mid-Major All-America team.
Nice opener: The Broncs will open the 2007-08 season against North Carolina State at the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla., over Thanksgiving weekend. Kansas State, South Carolina, Villanova, George Mason, Penn State and Central Florida are also in the field. All three of their games will be televised.
Quote: "One thing Jason has that's missing in a lot of kids is his pure love for the game. He's having fun out there. What others call hard work, Jason is out having fun," said former Lenape coach Bill Lange.
