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

February 13, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rider’s Thompson 20-20 Man

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- 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.”

Prior to Sunday, only Michael Beasley of Kansas State had reached at least 26 points and 24 rebounds in a game this season. Beasley had 32 points and 24 rebounds against Sacramento State on November 9th.

When Rider and Kansas State met this year, Thompson (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape High) compiled 24 points, seven rebounds, four blocked shots and three assists, while Beasley had just 13 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes of action.

Currently averaging 20.1 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks for the 18-7 Broncs, All-America candidate Thompson ranks second in Division I in rebounds, 13th in blocks and 32nd in scoring. Thompson now has 1,847 career points and 1,061 career rebounds.

“He’s a pro,” said Siena head coach Fran McCaffery. “He’s a handful out there.” McCaffery should know. Thompson’s second 20-20 game of the year came in Rider’s nationally televised (ESPN2) 89-75 win at Siena, another game where the winner of the game was going to be in first place. Thompson compiled 23 points and 21 rebounds, along with five assists. The 20+, 20+ and five assists was the first time that was done on the road since Tim Duncan did it in a Wake Forest uniform during the 1996-97 season.

“The five assists is what stands out to me,” Dempsey said. “He makes such good decisions with the ball when he is double-teamed.”

On November 17 in the home opener Thompson, the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, compiled 23 points and 21 rebounds, along with seven blocked shots in a victory over Delaware.

Four times in Division I this year a player has compiled at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in a game. Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet accomplished it. The other three times it was Rider’s Jason Thompson.

A six-time MAAC Player of the Week this season and a member of the Wooden Award Watch Mid-Season Top 30, Thompson has 16 ‘double-doubles’ this year in 25 games, 33 ‘double-doubles’ over the last two seasons and in his last 55 games has scored 20 or more points 32 times.

Jason Thompson. Rider’s 20-20 man.

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