jcollingsworth
Guest
2015-16 Ohio State Men’s Basketball Player Preview: Trevor Thompson
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Ohio State University is on the brink of a new season for the basketball program that looks to be both a rebuilding year – and exciting – with a host of new names and faces with the tools to deliver Buckeye Nation with tremendous hope.
Superstar D’Angelo Russell is now out West playing for Hollywood. Along with Mr. Russell’s departure the Buckeyes witnessed several other faces disappear as well: Amir Williams, Shannon Scott, Sam Thompson, and Anthony Lee. This presented Head Coach Thad Matta with either a horrific scenario or a positive future. He has chosen the latter. “Well, I think that there’s probably a lot of truth to that…” (Reference to rebuilding) …And I think from the standpoint of, you know, usually when you’re a team that doesn’t have seniors — you have to have a good amount of seniors; we’ve only got one junior, and we’re going to have to rely heavily on our young class. In terms of rebuilding, I think that’s a good thing because that means our program has been at a pretty high level. You’ve got that confidence…”
One of those new faces will be Trevor Thompson, a transfer from Virginia Tech who came to the Buckeyes in April of 2014 – being ruled ineligible for play in the 2014-15 Season.
Trevor Thompson
Position: Center
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 250 lbs.
High School: Ben Davis High School (Indianapolis, IN)
Prep School: St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy
Former College: Virginia Tech
High School Recognitions
Trevor received one letter while attending Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis before heading off to post-graduate studies at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. ESPN and Rivals listed him as a Three-Star recruit. He would also be a member of the U17 Eric Gordon All-Stars.
At Virginia Tech
As a freshman Trevor played 30 games – starting in 10 of them. In his collegiate debut vs. West Virginia he would score 5 points, have 5 rebounds, and block 3 shots. The following also would be highlights of his time with the Hokies while in Blacksburg:
• A double-double against West Carolina: 15 points – 11 rebounds.
• Coming off the bench against VCU he would have 8 rebounds and 4 points.
• In his first start of his career against #2 Syracuse he’d have 4 points and 2 rebounds.
• His 2nd double-double of his career would be 10 points with 12 rebounds against Wake Forest.
• Would deliver 12 rebounds & 8 points in a win over Miami
• Against #6 Duke he’d score 15 points, 6 rebounds, and have 3 steals.
• In the ACC Tournament vs. Miami he’d score 6 points with 5 rebounds.
• He would be an All-ACC Academic.
Strengths
Size. At 7’0” he is a commanding presence for anyone who decides to drive to the hoop. His 250 lbs. adds the presence that can and will add hesitation from the opposition.
Size often does not equate into the other tools required for success as a menacing occupier of the paint. Trevor though possesses something quite special of a big man: motor skills. The exceptionalness that he displays in his reactions, his ability to get up and down the court in a swift manner often shuts down the opponent as he quickly educates them on his ability to score fast and easily.
Trevor is a young and budding star that consistently shows improvement and the desire to excel. Attitude often is the birth of success among the elite and this young man possesses the needed humility to learn and grow.
He already shines in the low post with his back to the rim perfecting the envious Kareem jump hook. The shot is only getting better.
He has the total confidence of the Coaching staff. This should be a wondrous opportunity to relax and play his game.
He comes from a good family and a tremendous upbringing (father Ryan Thompson playing professionally in MLB won a World Series ring while in New York with the Yankees in 2000).
Weaknesses
He can be inconsistent. In his freshmen year with Virginia Tech his irregular playing time only presented the unfavorable results that crept up in some of his final numbers. He needed time on the court to grow.
He has not played competitively since March of 2014.
He is not high on the offensive side of production. His spurts are few and far.
He was not highly recruited out of High School. Often this outlines the analysis figured out elsewhere.
But sometimes a pearl is found in the rough.
Role on the Team
With David Bell considered a project-in-the-making Trevor is the man in the middle. His role will be defense with the added treat of an occasional burst of offensive productivity. He is a game changing center and Thad Matta knew this when he pushed for him to come to Columbus once his decision was made to leave Blacksburg.
He will have that dominating presence that is needed in basketball today. His abilities on the defensive side of the court will grant the Buckeyes opportunities to score and to do so often with the likes of A.J Harris, JaQuan Lyle, Kam Williams, and Keita Bates-Diop.
The Buckeyes, as the whole world has been saying, is in a rebuilding year. But just as Coach Matta has pointed out “…that’s okay. This is good.” There is some fantastic talent on this team. They will be spoilers, and the deliverers of many surprises. Trevor Thompson is in this mix.
Look for a good year from the Big guy. Be prepared to understand why the Buckeyes made him a priority to be a student at The Ohio State University.
Defense is in Columbus and it goes by the name of Trevor Thompson.
The post 2015-16 Ohio State Men’s Basketball Player Preview: Trevor Thompson appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Ohio State University is on the brink of a new season for the basketball program that looks to be both a rebuilding year – and exciting – with a host of new names and faces with the tools to deliver Buckeye Nation with tremendous hope.
Superstar D’Angelo Russell is now out West playing for Hollywood. Along with Mr. Russell’s departure the Buckeyes witnessed several other faces disappear as well: Amir Williams, Shannon Scott, Sam Thompson, and Anthony Lee. This presented Head Coach Thad Matta with either a horrific scenario or a positive future. He has chosen the latter. “Well, I think that there’s probably a lot of truth to that…” (Reference to rebuilding) …And I think from the standpoint of, you know, usually when you’re a team that doesn’t have seniors — you have to have a good amount of seniors; we’ve only got one junior, and we’re going to have to rely heavily on our young class. In terms of rebuilding, I think that’s a good thing because that means our program has been at a pretty high level. You’ve got that confidence…”
One of those new faces will be Trevor Thompson, a transfer from Virginia Tech who came to the Buckeyes in April of 2014 – being ruled ineligible for play in the 2014-15 Season.
Trevor Thompson
Position: Center
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 250 lbs.
High School: Ben Davis High School (Indianapolis, IN)
Prep School: St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy
Former College: Virginia Tech
High School Recognitions
Trevor received one letter while attending Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis before heading off to post-graduate studies at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. ESPN and Rivals listed him as a Three-Star recruit. He would also be a member of the U17 Eric Gordon All-Stars.
At Virginia Tech
As a freshman Trevor played 30 games – starting in 10 of them. In his collegiate debut vs. West Virginia he would score 5 points, have 5 rebounds, and block 3 shots. The following also would be highlights of his time with the Hokies while in Blacksburg:
• A double-double against West Carolina: 15 points – 11 rebounds.
• Coming off the bench against VCU he would have 8 rebounds and 4 points.
• In his first start of his career against #2 Syracuse he’d have 4 points and 2 rebounds.
• His 2nd double-double of his career would be 10 points with 12 rebounds against Wake Forest.
• Would deliver 12 rebounds & 8 points in a win over Miami
• Against #6 Duke he’d score 15 points, 6 rebounds, and have 3 steals.
• In the ACC Tournament vs. Miami he’d score 6 points with 5 rebounds.
• He would be an All-ACC Academic.
Strengths
Size. At 7’0” he is a commanding presence for anyone who decides to drive to the hoop. His 250 lbs. adds the presence that can and will add hesitation from the opposition.
Size often does not equate into the other tools required for success as a menacing occupier of the paint. Trevor though possesses something quite special of a big man: motor skills. The exceptionalness that he displays in his reactions, his ability to get up and down the court in a swift manner often shuts down the opponent as he quickly educates them on his ability to score fast and easily.
Trevor is a young and budding star that consistently shows improvement and the desire to excel. Attitude often is the birth of success among the elite and this young man possesses the needed humility to learn and grow.
He already shines in the low post with his back to the rim perfecting the envious Kareem jump hook. The shot is only getting better.
He has the total confidence of the Coaching staff. This should be a wondrous opportunity to relax and play his game.
He comes from a good family and a tremendous upbringing (father Ryan Thompson playing professionally in MLB won a World Series ring while in New York with the Yankees in 2000).
Weaknesses
He can be inconsistent. In his freshmen year with Virginia Tech his irregular playing time only presented the unfavorable results that crept up in some of his final numbers. He needed time on the court to grow.
He has not played competitively since March of 2014.
He is not high on the offensive side of production. His spurts are few and far.
He was not highly recruited out of High School. Often this outlines the analysis figured out elsewhere.
But sometimes a pearl is found in the rough.
Role on the Team
With David Bell considered a project-in-the-making Trevor is the man in the middle. His role will be defense with the added treat of an occasional burst of offensive productivity. He is a game changing center and Thad Matta knew this when he pushed for him to come to Columbus once his decision was made to leave Blacksburg.
He will have that dominating presence that is needed in basketball today. His abilities on the defensive side of the court will grant the Buckeyes opportunities to score and to do so often with the likes of A.J Harris, JaQuan Lyle, Kam Williams, and Keita Bates-Diop.
The Buckeyes, as the whole world has been saying, is in a rebuilding year. But just as Coach Matta has pointed out “…that’s okay. This is good.” There is some fantastic talent on this team. They will be spoilers, and the deliverers of many surprises. Trevor Thompson is in this mix.
Look for a good year from the Big guy. Be prepared to understand why the Buckeyes made him a priority to be a student at The Ohio State University.
Defense is in Columbus and it goes by the name of Trevor Thompson.
The post 2015-16 Ohio State Men’s Basketball Player Preview: Trevor Thompson appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...