Anthony Thompson

[50's PONY]

Anthony Thompson Staring At A Pair
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Dave Telep
ScoutHoops.com Sep 21, 2006

This is the time of year where places like Bradley sneak in and nab those under the radar guys. While we aren’t saying Anthony Thompson is next Patrick O’Bryant but he at least resembles him physically. Thompson is down to a pair and the Braves are one of them.

Anthony Thompson, a 6-foot-10 center out of Houston (Tex.) Klein Forest, is down to Bradley and SMU.
The 185-pounder recently took an official visit – his first – to Bradley. “They got involved because Coach Les watched me a couple of times and liked the way I play,” Thompson said. “They say I fit their program and they wanted a big man who can run. Plus, they have a need for big guys because they lost Patrick O’Bryant.”

Lost O’Bryant? More like he got promoted to the big leagues and now there are some enormous shoes to fill.

SMU and Matt Doherty provide the competition. “I went on an unofficial there and they’re coming for a home visit (Thursday),” Thompson said.

At this stage in the ballgame, Bradley is the frontrunner. “I saw their campus and I really liked it. It’s not too big and too small. The classroom size is small and I can get more attention from my teachers. I like the coaches and the players.”

Despite being down to a pair of schools, Thompson’s situation could get a tad dicier. “I don’t know if I’m going to sign early but I know I’ll commit.” Trust us when we tell you that those are some scary words for the Braves and Mustangs to hear. The loose translation of prospect speak in that area means: I’m coming provided some of the big boys don’t offer me.

“I might (sign) but something else might pop open,” Thompson said “It’s a possibility that I sign in the November period.”

[The XtC]

We've been slowly getting into a better position with this kid because bigger schools that showed some interest have been filling up their classes, and dont have a scholarship for him. I'm a little surprised that Bradley is his leader right now, but we seem to be in a good position.

[SMUltimedia]

He needs to get on campus and see not only the small class sizes, but the... caliber of the other students in those classes.

[RGV Pony]

Anyone been to Peoria? C'mon.

[BringBackThePonies03]

I am excited about the potential for Thompson to pick SMU... He is a very talented player, and he should look at the type of players that we are bringing in, we are bringing in talented players who want to win and not to mention we have a coach in Matt Doherty who is very very good. Thompson should realize that if he picks SMU he could play right away and that we are now a postseason caliber team.

GO PONIES!!!

[jtstang]

Thompson should realize that if he picks SMU he could play right away and that we are now a postseason caliber team.

So let me get this straight. We are now, as of today, one player away from being a "postseason caliber team" and this guy is it. Is that what you are saying?

[Stallion]

ahhh NO. We are so far behind schools like Memphis, UH, and UTEP its not funny. This is going to take a long long time to turn around. Anthony Thompson is a similar long term project just like Bamba-but both have some upside potential. Go look at the scouting report on Thompson-nice skills but physically weak-code words for "project"

[goponies1]

Bamba Fall is a project for SMU????? 7'1 and can run and block shots...his offense was coming despite being injured most of the year. He's a project that anyone in the Big 12 would like to have. Most of the ACC schools would love to have him. He is the best big man to come on SMU's campus since Koncak and probably more advanced at the same stage. With normal development, he has a legit chance of being a 1st round draft pick. Doherty is a good coach that understands developing big men as well. Look for a rapid development in Bamba's footwork and post moves as he gets individual attention from Doherty.

If he were 240 coming out of HS he would have never signed with SMU. He would have been at a Duke/UNC level! It is SMU's job to surround him with a strength program and meal opportunities that will help him with weight and strength. Hopefully with the new AD there is a commitment to a training table etc. He has to do the rest.

Ask Larry Eustacy, Willis Wilson, Doc Sadler etc. if Bamba is a project. Bet Calapari would like to have him! We best be happy he made his grades.

[Grider]

meal opportunities

JT! hangin slider here......

[Stallion]

I never said he wouldn't contribute- I said he was a nice recruit for SMU who was a long term project. The context of the argument was that if SMU wanted to compete with the strong guard necleus on hand, SMU should have recruited a mature inside JUCO transfer instead of the other kids like Epps and Matt Williams. I said he was a long term project and that SMU fans shouldn't expect him to be able to help SMU compete on the level of post season calber team. The kid is 7-1 and scored two buckets a game, shot 40% from the field -and got pushed around by the top players in the league many of which had a field day at his expense. He is a long term project who simply uses his height right now to block shots and make a few dunks every game. When he learns how to play his position he'll no longer be a project. I forgot was I right that SMU needed a more mature JUCO inside last year to compete for post-season play? I thought we finished 4-10 in conference.

[mrydel]

Anyone that saw the Rice center manhandle Bamba knows there is work to be done with that kid. He could/should turn out great but he needs more than just meat on his bones, he needs some serious coaching and hopefully Coach D can do that.

[jtstang]

meal opportunities

JT! hangin slider here......

I know. It's just that since the entire episode will inevitably be swept under the rug and not shown publicly for the sting operation it really was, I've lost the majority of my enthusiasm for the entire topic. Now, when that nasty NCAA report comes out, showing nothing but the minorest of minor violations (if any), then perhaps we can talk about the joys of burgers and Cheer again.

[MustangIcon]

Thompson should realize that if he picks SMU he could play right away and that we are now a postseason caliber team.

So let me get this straight. We are now, as of today, one player away from being a "postseason caliber team" and this guy is it. Is that what you are saying?

We are nowhere near to being a post-season team. Our roster this upcoming season is less talented than last year's team, which finished 4-10 in CUSA. I think we will finish a little better in conference than we did last season but even finishing .500 in CUSA will be a stretch for this team.

ahhh NO. We are so far behind schools like Memphis, UH, and UTEP its not funny.

You could not be more accurate. Memphis is clearly the cream of the crop in CUSA (although they did lose key players from last season), and Utep/UH are not far behind. I will look for the article but just this past week UH signed 2 JUCO big men, one 6'9 and one 6'11, to go with the 6'11 transfer from Seaton Hall that they got this summer as well.

[MustangIcon]

link to UH's 2 new big men commits

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 85649.html

[mustangnation]

Thompson committed to Bradley per rivals