Thompson Now Playing for Sacramento Kings
Scored 12 in Kings Win over Detroit Monday
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA-Rider University graduate Ryan Thompson '10 is playing with the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Summer League.
Playing for the Boston Celtics in Orlando in his professional debut, Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) played 15 minutes off the bench in the 40 minute game and compiled 13 points, making all nine of his foul shots and two of his three field goal attempts. He grabbed one rebound and committed three fouls, as the Celtics lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 87-82 last week.
"It is great to see Ryan getting an opportunity to show teams that he can be an NBA player," said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey, who recruited and coached Ryan. "I am sure he will make the most of it."
Thompson, the only Rider player to rank in the top 10 in career points (1,879-third), career assists (393-sixth) and career rebounds (734-seventh), is now playing with the Sacramento Kings in the Vegas Summer League. In 18 minutes of action he scored 12 points and grabbed a rebound in a 97-68 Kings win over Detroit on Monday, July 12.
In a Celtics win over Charlotte last Wednesday, Thompson compiled 11 points in 20 minutes off the bench, with two rebounds and an assist. Thompson made three of his four field goal attempts, including a three-pointer and all four of his foul shots.
In an 86-85 loss to the Pacers last Thursday, Thompson compiled nine points and five rebounds in 23 minutes of action. Thompson and the Celtics lost to Evan Turner and the Philadelphia 76ers last Tuesday, as Thompson played 18 minutes and scored four points and grabbed two rebounds.
The NBA Summer League is the NBA's yearly summer showcase. All 30 NBA teams, along with a team of NBA D-League All-Stars, compete in games hosted in Orlando and Las Vegas from July 5 - July 18.
Thompson is now playing for his brother Jason's team, the Sacramento Kings, in the games in Vegas.
Jason Thompson, a 2008 Rider graduate and the 12th pick in the 2008 draft, played the last two summers but is not expected to play this summer. In two seasons in the NBA with the Kings Jason has played in 157 games and is averaging 11.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 30 minutes played per game.
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