Jason Thompson Excels in NBA Debut
MINNEAPOLIS, MN ? It didn't take long for the professional basketball world to learn something that has been common knowledge in Lawrenceville for some time. Jason Thompson '08 can play basketball at any level.
In his NBA debut with the Sacramento Kings, Thompson came in off the bench and compiled 18 points, making seven of 10 shots from the field and all four of his foul shots, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked a shot in 22 minutes of action, as the Kings came back and made a game of a 98-96 loss at Minnesota.
The 2007-08 Rider Athlete of the Year, Thompson became the Kings' first player to post a double-double in his NBA debut since Jerry Lucas tallied 23 points and 17 rebounds in 1963.
“I have goals for myself,” Thompson wrote in his blog, “to come off the bench and get minutes and hopefully become a starter as the season progresses. I'd like to be in the running for Rookie of the Year, too. In terms of team goals, I want to do whatever it takes to help my team make the Playoffs. I've always set goals for myself throughout high school and college. That's the type of player I've always been.”
After the game, former UCLA star Kevin Love, who was the fifth player picked in the 2008 draft (seven spots ahead of Thompson) and is now with Minnesota, said he was surprised at how good Jason is.
"I didn't realize how good he was until I saw him in person," Love told the Sacramento Bee newspaper. "I saw (Thompson) at the (Orlando, Fla.) pre-draft (camp in May), saw him at the rookie transition program (in early September in Rye Brook, N.Y.) where you got to shoot around and play a little bit on those baskets. He's got the size, got the athleticism, got big hands ? soft hands ? to catch the ball. He can also step out and shoot it as well. I like his game a lot. He was a surprise pick in the lottery, but I think he was a good choice for Sac."
Love showing some love for Jason, something else that has been common place in Lawrenceville for years. And Thompson showed some love in return in his blog.
“I just want to give a shout-out to a couple special people in my life ? my mother and father. Also to my brother and Coach Dempsey ? good luck this year at Rider University! They should have a good young team.” Thompson wrote. “And I just want to throw a final shout-out to the fans -- all the people that have supported me and are excited to see how I produce. I'm out to show that going to a small school has nothing to do with how successful I can be. I've been proving that to myself all my life.”
Jason began proving that right after he was drafted and went to training camp. “I will say that training camp was way different than college with all the bumps and bruises and two-a-days,” Thompson wrote. “In college preseason, we might have two weeks and only one practice for only three hours. In the NBA, we're practicing for maybe six or seven hours. It's a little different when it's your job and you're getting paid to do it. In college, you have class and other distractions you have to worry about. It was a great experience just to play with some of the guys and against some of the talent that I'll be seeing today and throughout the season. I also worked out in Vegas with a couple stars in the game. Coming out here to Sacramento before training camp, learning the offense, playing with my new teammates and just becoming comfortable in a bigger court against stronger players has helped me in this transition, too.”
Jason's homecoming is November 3, when the Philadelphia 76ers host Sacramento. “The first four are going to be on the road,” Thompson wrote. “The last one against the 76ers is going to be pretty big for me. It's going to be a hometown thriller so I have a little pressure. I have a couple sections saved for a lot of people that game -- college, high school, middle school, family, friends and the neighborhood. I'm just real excited about that and the opportunity to finally play in the NBA.”
When the hometown fans see Thompson in his Kings uniform they'll be happy to see that he is still the same down to earth, level-headed Jason. “Some people say that when you get to this level, you become a big-timer,” Thompson wrote. “Or maybe you don't express love for the fans. Even though I've made it to the NBA, I'm still the same person I've always been. I love meeting new people and I love doing what I'm doing. I hope when people read this blog, they understand that I keep it real. I'll let people know whatever they want to know... as long as it's appropriate.”
It's appropriate that the world of professional basketball is learning about the Jason Thompson that we all know and love.
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