Jason Thompson -- 2008 All-America Candidate -- Rider Univesity

THE LATEST NEWS & NOTES

July 16, 2008

The NBA normally invites 10 to 15 players who are expected to be lottery picks to attend the draft each year.

Jason Thompson wasn't among that group June 26 in New York. But Sacramento thought enough of the 6-foot-11-inch, 250-pound forward from Rider University to draft him 12th overall.

The Kings need rebounding badly and think they have filled that need up front with Thompson.

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/25499009.html

July 16, 2008

Jason Thompson’s and-one bucket in overtime lifted the Sacramento Kings over the Portland Trail Blazers, 75-74, in the last game of the day inside the COX Pavilion at the 2008 NBA Summer League Presented by EA SPORTS.

Sacramento’s leading scorer was Quincy Douby with 24 points. He was supported by Thompson and his 17 points off the bench.

http://www.nba.com/summerleague2008/games/20080715/SACPOR/recap.html

July 10, 2008

The pass came from Sean Singletary, a no-look, behind-the-back toss that Jason Thompson inhaled on his way to the basket for a driving layup.

And there was a foul, to boot.

Not a bad display for Kings brass during Wednesday's first summer-league practice, which featured drills and full-court scrimmages in the 3½-hour workout.

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/1072608.html

July 8, 2008

The Sacramento Kings have signed rookie forward-center Jason Thompson to a multi-year contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Thompson was Sacramento’s first round selection (12th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft out of Rider. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

http://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings_sign_jason_thompson.html

June 29, 2008

The early signs didn't point to this.

Not the late ones either, for that matter.

First there was Geoff Petrie in Southern California on Feb. 23 to see Jason Thompson, the Rider forward whose versatile game intrigued the Kings' basketball president enough to warrant a visit. One of 12 NBA reps in the stands of a "Bracket Buster" faceoff, Petrie watched as Thompson was held to 11 points against Cal State Northridge. Petrie left the game early.

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/1047690.html

June 28, 2008

The Sacramento Kings introduced their 2008 NBA Draft picks at the team's practice facility Saturday.

"I'm happy I get to introduce three new players to the team, especially three players with the ability and the background that we have sitting up here today," Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie began. "It becomes part of your future and it's just great to have them all here at the same time."

Grinning from ear to ear, Jason Thompson, Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing Jr. shared their excitement on becoming the newest members of the franchise.

"I'm real excited," Thompson said wearing a Kings hat and blue pinstriped suit. "I had two workouts here and it was a long journey with the workout process, I had like 16 or 17 and it's great to be a King right now. The workout journey just ended, but my NBA journey is just beginning and I'm real excited and ready to get to work."

http://www.nba.com/kings/news/three_kings_introduced.html

June 28, 2008

As far as the Sacramento Kings are concerned, first-round draft pick Jason Thompson could probably help them under the basket sooner than expected.

The 12th selection in the NBA Draft finally met his new team on Saturday at the Kings? practice facility, and talk of an immediate impact from the 6-foot-11, 250-pound forward out of Rider echoed around the gym.

"Out of the guys that we worked out we thought (Thompson) was one of the few NBA-ready players," said Sacramento coach Reggie Theus. "We were definitely looking at him because of his abilities to score around the basket and rebound. Those were two of the things we lacked (last season)."

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9731102?nclick_check=1

June 27, 2008

Mystery solved. Jason Thompson, power forward, Rider, the safer bet to become a good player over the project that may turn out to be really good, if the potential of matchstick Anthony Randolph ever catches up to his reality in about two seasons and 50 pounds.

It wasn't a straight Thompson-over-Randolph call Thursday night -- once point guards D.J. Augustin and Jerryd Bayless were off the board, the soft Kings had to go big and Thompson was the clear preference over some mix of Roy Hibbert, Kosta Koufos and Randolph. But the contrasts are impossible to avoid heading to the future, especially since Thompson and Randolph are both power forwards while Hibbert and Kostas are centers and at that stage it becomes Spencer Hawes' problem.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/013574.html

June 27, 2008

When Jason Thompson was just a high school sophomore and not playing very much his mother began to worry.

“Be patient,'' Lenape coach Bill Lange told Sharyn Thompson back then. “One day your son will make money playing basketball.''

That day is now.

Jason Thomson became the highest drafted player in Burlington County history last night when he was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 12th overall selection in the NBA Draft.

“This is a dream come true,'' Thompson said. “I've had the ball in my hands since I've been young and now I'm here where I want to be. The journey is just starting now."

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/109-06272008-1555387.html

June 27, 2008

AT 8:40 P.M., dozens of patrons in a reserved side room at Champps Americana restaurant in Marlton, N.J., exploded in the sort of spontaneous celebration that suggested that maybe they all learned they had won the lottery.
In a sense, maybe they did.

On the big-screen television, NBA commissioner David Stern stepped to the lectern and said the words everyone had gathered to hear: "With the 12th pick in the NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings select Jason Thompson, forward, Rider University."

Instant bedlam.

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20080627_P_J__Thomas__Rider_s_Thompson_selected_12th_by_Sacramento.html

June 27, 2008

The Kings’ draft night began with the hopes that their major problems would be solved for them, specifically the hope that a top-tier point guard would fall their way. There is, after all, no incumbent to run the team.

The Kings selected Rider power forward Jason Thompson with the No. 12 pick, a move that was dubbed the surprise of the lottery picks but no surprise to those within the Kings’ draft room. In the second round they selected Virginia point guard Sean Singletary with the No. 42 pick and Georgetown forward Patrick Ewing Jr. at No. 43.

In going with the 6-foot-11, 250-pound Thompson, there was little hesitation to go against the mock draft grain and bring another small-school product to Sacramento as part of the ongoing rebuilding project. Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said Thompson wouldn’t have stayed available much longer, expecting Golden State to take him at No. 14. He was, Petrie said, a unanimous pick of the available players among the team’s scouting staff.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view/2008King_Rider

June 27, 2008

As a high school player, Jason Thompson was so lightly regarded that he ended up at Rider instead of a traditional basketball power.

After growing to 6-foot-11 and working on his game for four years in college, Thompson became an NBA lottery pick when the Sacramento Kings chose him with the 12th overall pick in the NBA draft Thursday night.

Thompson was the first college senior taken in the draft, going ahead of more heralded players such as Georgetown center Roy Hibbert, Kansas guard Brandon Rush and LSU forward Anthony Randolph.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/2008-06-26-1726284896_x.htm

June 26, 2008

NBA scouts and personnel directors aren't known to hang around places such as Rider College's Alumni Gym, but once every six decades or so a special player compels them to rent a car, click on Mapquest and get over to Lawrenceville.

Jason Thompson, whose stock has risen faster than oil futures in the past year, is one such player. Tonight, when the NBA's annual draft is held at Madison Square Garden, Thompson is expected to be a first-round pick.

"He'll be chosen higher than people think," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said. "He's a good player."

http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1214455014124660.xml&coll=1

June 26, 2008

If things go the way they want them to go, two local players will be celebrating after tonight's NBA draft.
Lenape High graduate Jason Thompson and St. Joseph's University alum Pat Calathes hope to be chosen when the league holds its annual gathering in New York.

A few weeks ago, Thompson was a novelty. He played for four years at Rider, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds in his final two seasons. But the forward and center never dominated against competition from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20080626_Thompson__Calathes_hopeful_on_draft.html

June 25, 2008

Jason Thompson is enjoying the ride.

Every plane ride, every workout, every interview, every baseline sprint. All of it, because it is the path that will lead him to the NBA.

In the last few weeks, the former Rider University star and Lenape High School graduate, has had workouts with Boston, Utah, Golden State, Seattle, Orlando, Toronto, Washington, Cleveland and Sacramento.

"The question is -- where haven't I been?" the 6-foot-11, 250-pound Thompson said with a laugh.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200806250310/SPORTS/806250420

June 25, 2008

Jason Thompson should have the word “busy” next to his name.

The former Rider star was in Sacramento working out for the Kings on Monday, headed to Detroit with the Pistons on Tuesday before flying to New York for today's session with the Knicks.

“It's been a grind, but a good opportunity,” said Thompson via cell phone Tuesday after working out for the Pistons. “Seventeen teams — I think I'm going for the record.”

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/100-06252008-1554206.html

March 31, 2008

Jason and Ryan Thompson of the Rider University basketball team were honored by CollegeInsider.com. Jason, a 6’11”, 245 pound senior forward, was named to the All-America team, while Ryan, a 6’6” sophomore guard, was named to the All-Mid-Major team.

Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape High) was the US Basketball Writers’ Association District II Player of the Year and a National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District 3 selection. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year, J. Thompson was also the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year this season for the second time.

Jason was also named to the Associated Press All-America honorable mention

J. Thompson ranks second in the nation in rebounding (12.1), 18th in blocked shots (2.7), 29th in scoring (20.4) and 36th in field goal percentage (.560 and is one of just 96 Division I players EVER to compile BOTH 2,000 career points (2,040) and 1,000 career rebounds (1,171).

http://www.gobroncs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=96747&SPID=11878&DB_OEM_ID=20200&ATCLID=1425207

March 26, 2008

Jason Thompson picked up a postseason award today. Thompson was named first-team All-Mid-Major by CollegeHoops.net. Thompson was one of 32 players to make the team.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/new/2008-collegehoops-net-mid-major-all-americans-42231

March 11, 2008

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected Rider University’s Jason Thompson as the District II Player of the Year.

Joining Thompson on the District II Team are Niagara University’s Charron Fisher and Siena College’s Edwin Ubiles.

The national membership of the USBWA votes on the All District Teams. There are nine regions from coast to coast, and a player and coach of the year are selected in each.

http://www.maacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17400&ATCLID=1409992

March 10, 2008

Rider's Jason Thompson scored 32 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the Broncs' 76-71 MAAC tournament semifinal win over Marist on Sunday. It was the senior's fourth career 30-point game, and his 32 points were one shy of his career high. Thompson heads into Monday's championship game against Siena with 2,001 career points.

Thompson is the first player to score at least 30 points and grab at least 15 rebounds in a conference tournament game since Sherman Gay of Loyola Marymount, who had 30 points and 15 rebounds in a win over Portland in the 2004 West Coast Conference tournament. The last player to reach at least 32-18 -- as Thompson did on Sunday -- was Monmouth's Corey Albano, who had 33 points and 21 rebounds in a loss to LIU in the 1997 Northeast Conference tournament.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=notebook/atr080310

March 7, 2008

Joe Dumars made the trip to a tiny Lawrenceville, N.J., gym earlier this season. So too did Vinny Del Negro and former Duke star Jason Williams.

"For a stretch during the season, you never knew who would be in the building," Rider forward Jason Thompson said.

But it was always clear why any member of the basketball cognoscenti would veer onto an Interstate 95 off-ramp between Philadelphia and New York and roll into the 1,650-seat Alumni Gymnasium: The presence of Thompson, a 6-foot-11, 250-pounder who could be a first-round pick in June's NBA Draft.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080307/SPORTS/344391208/1005

March 7, 2008

The older brother is a legitimate NBA prospect. A 6-foot-11 senior, Jason Thompson is the nation's second-leading rebounder. He is scoring more than 20 points a game for the second straight season.

The younger brother? He might be the biggest reason that Rider University shared the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season title, rising from 8-20 in 2005-06 and 16-15 in 2006-07 to 21-9 this season.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/20080307_Thompson_brothers_leading_Rider_in_hoops.html

March 6, 2008

Rider University senior forward Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel, N.J.), has been chosen as the 2007-2008 Pepsi MAAC Player of the Year by the MAAC’s head coaches.

Thompson, a 6-foot-11, 250-pound senior forward, is a two-time All-First Team selection and is currently ranked second in the league in scoring with 20.2 points per game, good for 32nd place on the nation's scoring list. He also leads the MAAC and is second in the nation in rebounding (11.8 rpg), and tops the league chart for blocks (2.80 bpg). Thompson netted double-digit points in all 30 games and recorded 20 double-doubles this season. Thompson earned seven MAAC Player of the Week awards during his final campaign for the Broncs. He also earned the 2008 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award.

http://www.maacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17400&ATCLID=1406445

March 4, 2008

For once, Rider University's Jason Thompson was ahead of schedule and Roy Hibbert was the late arrival.

A day before the NBA Draft last June, Thompson, the 6-foot-11, 235-pound MAAC defensive player of the year with size 19 sneakers and an ever-growing reputation, checked into the Marriott in Mesa, Ariz. The next morning he was to begin workouts at the Amare Stoudemire Skills Academy, but before he took the court, his roommate lowered his head inside the doorway. A second later, in stepped the rest of Hibbert, Georgetown's 7-2, 272-pound center, who had considered leaving school early to enter the draft. "It's not often that I am the shortest guy in the room," Thompson says. "He put things in perspective for me."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/kevin_armstrong/03/04/jason.thompson/index.html?eref=T1

Feb. 20, 2008

Behind every accomplished oldest child, there is a little brother just itching to bring him back to Earth. And in college basketball this season, there are a whole lot of little brothers with stories, including Ben Hansbrough, Nick Calathes and Ryan Thompson. With a big assist from sports information directors across the country, ESPN.com uncovered 39 sets of Division I-playing basketball brothers.”

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=3253321

Feb. 13, 2008

When Rider University senior forward Jason Thompson compiled 26 points and 24 rebounds in a battle for first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference on February 10, he became the first NCAA Division I player in a dozen years to enjoy three 20-20 games in a season.

“Those numbers are unbelievable,” said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey said. “Those are as good a numbers as I think I’ve seen on a stat sheet. Jason showed up in a big game and did everything he could to will his team to victory.”

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_02_13_08.html

Feb. 12, 2008

He is a walking double-double, racking up 16 of them this season -- three of them 20-20 games. If he were shooting his free throws better (58.6 percent this year, down from 72.4 last year), he would be averaging more than his current 20.1 ppg.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3241590&sportCat=ncb

Feb. 11, 2008

The line of NBA scouts making the journey to the Rider University campus has turned from a trickle to a wave. There were 12 who crammed their way into Alumni Gymnasium off Route 206 to watch Jason Thompson play against Niagara Friday, six more Sunday to see his game against Siena.

The Broncs' 6-11, 250-pound senior center has personally brought excitement back to this program, 50 miles from the Lincoln Tunnel. Yes, they were scalping tickets outside - two for $50.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2008/02/11/2008-02-11_jason_thompson_riding_high_at_rider.html

Feb. 4, 2008

Rider's Jason Thompson is the best mid-major big man in the country, and it is too bad most people (even devoted college basketball fans) couldn't pick the kid out of a lineup. Thompson is a 6-foot-11 senior and "late bloomer" who has learned to dominate games, and he will be an NBA pro. Thompson had 23 points and 21 rebounds against Siena over the weekend and has been written about before on ESPN.com, but without him being on the idiot box weekly, his play doesn't seem to resonate with the general public.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=notebook/weeklywatch013

Feb. 4, 2008

You may not know Jason Thompson now, but come March you're going to.

I'll tell you who does know him. Kansas State's Michael Beasley remembers. During the Old Spice Classic in November, Rider's Thompson helped hold Beasley to 13 points while posting 24 of his own. Thompson added seven rebounds and four blocked shots, including a couple against the 6-9 freshman phenom.

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=769674

Feb. 3, 2008

It was Paul Bunyan-type stuff — Jason Thompson almost outrebounded the entire Siena team on Saturday afternoon, each with 21. And still, his coach’s favorite stat was the five assists his 6-foot-11, 250-pound NBA-bound center had at the Times Union Center, showing how versatile Thompson is and how complete the Rider University team is around him.

The Broncs dominated the Saints by scoring a school-record 59 points in the first half, then weathered a spirited comeback to beat Siena, 89-75, before a crowd of 6,432 and a national TV audience on ESPN2.

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/feb/03/203_saints/

Feb. 2, 2008

After seeing Jason Thompson live three times, and multiple times on T.V., I have conlcuded that he will not be like most other NBA prospects who have played in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference. Thompson is 6'11", can play down low with his back to the basket, rebound, handle the ball, run the floor, knock down jumpers, and even an occasional three pointer. He is truly an all around player.

When was the last time that the MAAC saw such a versatile 6'11" center? The answer: never.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/8428-NBA-College_Basketball-NBA_Bound_Why_Jason_Thompson_Isn_t_the_Typical_MAAC_Prospect-020208

Jan. 28, 2008

Jason Thompson of the Rider University men’s basketball team was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Week for all games played January 21-27. It marks the fourth time this year Thompson has won the award.

Thompson, a 6’11” senior forward from Mt. Laurel (Lenape), led Rider to three MAAC wins last week, over Iona, Manhattan and Saint Peter’s. In those three games Thompson compiled 49 points, 28 rebounds, 12 blocks, eight assists and seven steals, while shooting 51 percent from the field.

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_01_28_08.html

Jan. 26, 2008

Rider’s Thompson Among 30 Wooden Award Candidates

Midway through the NCAA regular season, and in the throes of conference action, the 30 top candidates for the John R. Wooden Award, the nation’s most coveted college basketball award, were named January 26 by The Los Angeles Athletic Club’s John R. Wooden Award Committee. Composed of the top 30 players who will compete for this season’s player of the year award, the midseason list is based on individual player performance and team records during the first half of the season.

Rider’s Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape), who was also on the 50-member preseason Wooden Award list, is among those 30.

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_01_26_08.html

Jan. 24, 2008

Under the Radar

Jason Thompson leads the nation in rebounding (11.2) and is 17th in the in scoring (19.9). He's clearly the best mid-major player in America.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/seth_davis/01/24/mid.season/index.html

Jan. 14, 2008

Rider University senior Jason Thompson was named the co-winner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Week award for all games played January 7-13. It marks the second consecutive week and the fourth time this season Thompson has won the award.

In two games last week Thompson, a 6’11”, 250 pound forward from Mt. Laurel (Lenape High) compiled 43 points, 31 rebounds, seven blocks and seven assists.

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_01_14_08.html

Jan. 6, 2008

LOOK WHO'S TALKING: Jason Thompson, Rider hoops star and probable first-round pick

On his first memories of playing basketball ...

I was around 5 years old, playing on a local team in Mount Laurel. My uncle was the coach, and I played with a lot of my cousins and my younger brother. He didn’t even touch the ball, if I remember. But even then, you could tell I was at least taller than the average kid.

http://www.trentonian.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FTRN%2FNews&r21.content=%2FTRN%2FNews%2FContentTab_Feature_1377136

Dec. 26, 2007

The Rider women, 3-6 and attempting to snap a four-game skid, stormed back to take a late lead against Army. The modest crowd at Alumni Gymnasium chimed in with a chorus of “Dee-fense! Dee-fense!”

Don Harnum glanced up in the stands, and any tension he felt melted into a smile. There was Jason Thompson — the superstar forward, the most recognizable face on campus, potentially the second Rider men's basketball player ever to play in the NBA — hollering and stomping his feet with the zeal of a die-hard fan. “Does that happen at other schools?” Harnum, Rider's athletic director, wondered later.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/42-12262007-1461828.html

Dec. 19, 2007

Ironically, Rider senior center Jason Thompson says he is not a "stat guy". You would think he might be considering all he does is compile huge statistics.

The 6-foot-11 3/4, 253-pound big man was the only returning player in Division I to have averaged a double-double last season (and one of only three overall). He's well on his way to a repeat performance, with seven double-doubles in Rider's 7-4 start. Overall, he is averaging 20.5 points on 55-percent field-goal shooting and 11.6 rebounds, with an equally impressive 3.0 assists and 3.3 blocked shots per game.

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_12_19_07.html

Dec. 10, 2007

Senior Jason Thompson of the Rider University basketball team was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Week for all games played December 3-9. A 6’11” forward, Thompson became Rider’s career rebound leader last week, breaking a record that stood for 30 years.

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_12_10_07.html

Dec. 10, 2007

Jason Thompson, C, Sr., Rider -- I know, I know. How can we put a guy from Rider on this list? Well, he'd be putting up big-time numbers wherever he plays. Trust me. He's averaging 20.7 points, 11.9 boards, 3 assists and 3.2 blocks and he had 24 points and 15 boards against N.C. State earlier in the year.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/7547696

Dec. 9, 2007

Rebound. Senior Jason Thompson helped his team rebound from a 12-point loss on Thursday to defeat Canisius in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game Saturday, and in the process became Rider’s all-time rebound leader. “Anytime you can break a record that stood for 30 years, anytime you can do something that nobody in the history of the school has done, that’s really special,” said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey. “We’re very proud of him. It’s a great record and he has a lot of rebounds left in him.”

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_12_09_07.html

Nov. 30, 2007

At an imposing 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds and possessing the agility of a much smaller player, Jason Thompson is giving Rider University something it has never truly had: A legitimate NBA prospect.

Perhaps as important, he and the rest of the Broncs are giving students and faculty at this small liberal arts college an outlet to take their minds off several recent tragedies that included the death of a professor whom Thompson considered a mentor.

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_11_30_07.html

Nov. 26, 2007

Rider University senior Jason Thompson was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Week for all games played November 19-25.

Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) averaged 22.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 3.3 assists per game in a 2-2 week for Rider.

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_11_26_07.html

Nov. 9, 2007

The Rider game is a return game from last year's ESPN Bracket Buster game. The Broncs are led by 6-foot-1, 250 pound senior center Jason Thompson, who is getting serious looks by NBA scouts, many of whom will be in attendance Saturday night.

Kennedy calls Thompson a player that is on everyone's radar and one of the best big men in the country.

http://www.murrayledger.com/articles/2007/11/07/sports/sports02.txt

Nov. 7, 2007

Mid-major stars with NBA bodies are usually downgraded as prospects for not being "a few inches taller," but this isn't a problem for this 6-10 Bronc senior. Another season like 2006-07, in which Thompson averaged a double-double and cut a wide swath through MAAC defenses, might necessitate the purchase of a nice suit for draft night.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/preview2007/columns/story?columnist=whelliston_kyle&id=3097583

Nov. 1, 2007

College Basketball's Top Big Men

Jason Thompson was terrific at the LeBron James Camp in July. Was just one of three D-1 players last season to average more than 20 points and 10 boards with the others being Kevin Durant and Nick Fazekas.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/7366756?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=99

Nov. 1, 2007

Thompson on Preseason Wooden Award List

The list is composed of 50 student athletes who, based on last year's individual performance and team records, are the early frontrunners for college basketball's most coveted trophy. These top 50 candidates are comprised of returning players. Transfers, freshmen, and medical redshirts are not eligible for this preseason list, but will be evaluated and considered for both the Midseason Top 30 list and the National Ballot. Players not on the preseason list are eligible for the midseason top 30 and ballot. Last year, Kevin Durant of the University of Texas was the first freshman to win the Wooden Award.

http://www.jasonthompson1.com/news_11_01_07.html

Oct. 31, 2007

Thompson a big fish in a MAAC pond

Rider University center Jason Thompson could write one heck of a paper on how he spent his summer vacation, competing against LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire -- and holding his own.

The 6'11", 255-pound Thompson attended basketball camps run by James in Akron, Ohio, and Stoudemire in Phoenix. He knew he'd be competing against top college players from around the country, never realizing he'd get to play in games against the two NBA All-Stars.

http://www.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071031&content_id=1441277&vkey=36

Oct. 31, 2007

2007-08 CollegeInsider.com Preseason All-America Team Announced

Rather then assembling first, second, third and fourth team squads, the collegeinsider.com preseason All-America team is one team consisting of 21 players. Division I coaches and NBA scouts are part of the selection process, but final decision rests with the collegeinsider.com staff.

http://www.collegeinsider.com/awards/2007_08_all_america.html

October 23, 2007

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference held its annual Basketball Media Day Tuesday and Rider University senior Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) was named the Preseason Player of the Year.

“The Preseason award is nice, and I would like to thank the coaches who voted for me,” Thompson said at the luncheon, held at Madison Square Garden. “The post-season award is more important. The post-season Player of the Year usually comes from the championship team, and that’s my first goal, to help Rider win a Championship.”

http://www.rider.edu/174_12800.htm

October 8, 2007

The Collegehoops.net Preseason Mid-Major All-America Team was announced Monday, and Rider University senior Jason Thompson was named to the First Team. “It is always great to see one of our players get recognized,” said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey.

The list features selections from 15 conferences. Other players from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference include Charron Fisher of Niagara on the second team and Gerald Brown of Loyola received honorable mention.

http://www.rider.edu/174_12613.htm

September 11, 2007

Rider's senior forward Jason Thompson is a rarity at the mid-major level. He's a 6-10, 245-pound specimen who moves easily around the floor and is as comfortable posting up as he is knocking down 12-foot jumpers. Thompson averaged 20.1 ppg and 10.1 rpg last season and recorded 17 double-doubles.

http://www.rider.edu/174_12234.htm

July 28, 2007

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.

http://www.rider.edu/174_11739.htm

July 17, 2007

"It's always been a dream of mine to get drafted and play in the NBA," Thompson said last week. "Now it's nice to know after all the hard work I've done the past few years it pays off. I'm starting to see that dream might turn into a reality."

NBA scouts and decision-makers saw Thompson this summer at two of LeBron James' all-star camps in Akron, Ohio, and at Amare Stoudemire's camp in Phoenix.

http://www.rider.edu/174_11376.htm

July 12, 2007

One other name you should know: Jason Thompson, a 6-10 rising senior at Rider. I hadn't heard of him either until this week, but while he got pushed around a little bit under the boards, Thompson is a very good athlete who looks like a natural scorer. I also heard he did a respectable job going up against LeBron during a workout the day before.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/seth_davis/07/12/hoop.thoughts/index.html

July 10, 2007

Rider University’s Jason Thompson recently spent part of the summer between his junior and senior years at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio, where some of the best high school prospects in the nation attend and a group of elite college players are selected to help mentor through the weekend.

“We were counselors working with the kids,” said Thompson, a 6’10” forward who is coming off a 20 point, 10 rebound per game season. “We worked out hard, some days double sessions. They had individual workouts for the guards, workouts for the big men. It was good. And then we played pick-up.”

http://www.rider.edu/174_11177.htm

July 7, 2007

Thompson’s play was a shock to college coaches and NBA scouts in attendance. He wasted little time scoring over James and also was solid defensively on the NBA star.

Thompson averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 boards at Rider last year, but the senior-to-be is still a virtual unknown.

``I’ve known LeBron,” Thompson said. “I know a couple of his relatives and we call each other cousins. We had a good little battle. A couple of guys didn’t want to guard him.”

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox/2007/7/7

July 6, 2007

Jason Thompson has set high goals for himself this winter at Rider University.

"I want to be Player of the Year (in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and first team All-MAAC," Thompson said. "I'm actually trying to be an All-American this year, not just a mid-major (the term used for small Division I schools) All-American."

The 6-foot-10, 245-pound Thompson showed on Thursday night in the Verizon Fios Jersey Shore Basketball League at the McCann Activities & Athletic Center at St. Rose High School why he has set his goals so high as he scored 44 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and dished out four assists to lead Alley Oop to a 127-116 victory over T&T Coast in the first game of a doubleheader.

http://www.rider.edu/174_11133.htm

April 10, 2007

Rider University junior Jason Thompson was named to the All-Met First Team by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association at the 74th Haggerty Awards dinner Tuesday night. “Jason has been such a great player for us the past few years and it is always nice to see people recognize that,” said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) was previously honored as a first team All-MAAC selection and a second team All-District 3 pick by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. “When you have a year like Jason had the awards keep coming,” Dempsey said.

http://www.rider.edu/174_10179.htm

March 27, 2007

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.

http://www.rider.edu/174_10007.htm

March 19, 2007

Jason Thompson of the Rider University basketball team was named to the CollegeInsider.com 2007 Mid-Major All-America team. “Jason had a very special season,” said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey, “and it is great to see him rewarded by CollegeInsider.”

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.

http://www.rider.edu/174_9909.htm

Jason Thompson was named to the College Insider.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...

Averaging better than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game is quite impressive. In fact, only three NCAA Division I players accomplished that feat last season -- Kevin Durant (Texas), Nick Fazekas (Nevada) and Jason Thompson...

Jason Thompson was named to the All-Met First Team by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association. “Jason has been such a great player for us the past few years and it is always nice to see people...