'15 LA SG Christion Thompson (URI Signed LOI)

Ram Stampede!!! · Unread post by **Ram Stampede!!!** » 10 years ago

Christion Thompson - SG
Hometown: Geismar, LA
School: Madison Prep
AAU/Travel: Louisiana Dynasty / NIKE Team Louisiana

HT: 6’4”
WT: 195

Future150: 3-star
Rivals: 3-star
247: NR
Scout: 3-star

OFFERS:
Rhode Island – Verbal 9/20
Houston
Louisiana Tech
Middle Tennessee
Mississippi State
Rice
Richmond
Troy
UAB

INTEREST:
Auburn
Creighton
Texas A&M
West Virginia
Western Kentucky

Not sure anyone noticed this today with all the craziness surrounding the Silva recruitment.

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/christion-thompson

Ram Stampede!!! · Unread post by **Ram Stampede!!!** » 10 years ago

Ram Stampede!!! · Unread post by **Ram Stampede!!!** » 10 years ago

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 10 years ago

Perhaps he's a Poyser back-up plan?

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

https://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecrui ... son-163961

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p= ... id=7729166

http://future150.com/hs/basketball-prof ... on-sg-2015

http://247sports.com/Player/Christion-Thompson-68274

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 10 years ago

21pts/10rebs/3asts as a JR...

http://www.louisianabasketballreport.co ... id=1281854

Haven't been able to find any video in a quick search, would love to see the jumper - the article mentions that he's a strong outside shooter, which we could certainly use more of.

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

"Creighton, Richmond, Troy, UAB, Rhode Island and Mississippi State have been recruiting me the hardest." Thompson said.

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

2. SG Christion Thompson, Louisiana Dynasty/Nike Team Louisiana

Sometimes a change of scenery can make a big difference. Did Thompson suddenly become a different and markedly better player when he transferred this offseason from Dutchtown to Madison Prep? No, but the increased exposure he’s gotten from playing on two big-time summer teams – and practicing alongside the next guy on this list – have elevated his stock coming into his senior season. Thompson (6-4, 185) went off at the Battle of the South tournament in Jackson, Miss., earlier this summer, guiding Louisiana Dynasty to the title. Shortly after that point he switched over to Nike Team Louisiana of Baton Rouge, playing alongside the likes of Chad Lott. A three-star prospect, Thompson has collected offers from Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Richmond, UAB and Houston. He also reports interest from Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Clemson and Western Kentucky.

http://louisianastate.scout.com/story/1 ... s-for-2015

Ram Stampede!!! · Unread post by **Ram Stampede!!!** » 10 years ago

Hmmm, interesting. Let's see how his visit goes this weekend.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

2 recruits visiting. Great!
Wonder what happened to Cylla?
He cancelled his visit, and I haven't read it
was rescheduled.

reckless jake · Unread post by **reckless jake** » 10 years ago

I figure it's the same collective staff that recognized the skill & talent in Aflakpui, Enoch, Poyser and Silva early on so they know talent when they see it. That's an important first step. So maybe we're ahead of the curve on these two kids who are visiting this weekend as well. They both seem to have a big upside from what I've read.

Ram Stampede!!! · Unread post by **Ram Stampede!!!** » 10 years ago

Taking advantage of a nice day in RI. I'd say he enjoyed his trip to the beach!

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

Cliffwalk?

CT Rhody · Unread post by **CT Rhody** » 10 years ago

Wonder where this kid is in his decision process?

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

CT Rhody wrote:Wonder where this kid is in his decision process?

This was his first official visit, so it seems it's pretty early in the process.

Andrew · Unread post by **Andrew** » 10 years ago

He verballed to us; a welcome surprise.

CT Rhody · Unread post by **CT Rhody** » 10 years ago

Great news!!! Let's keep the momentum up, now we need another inside player.

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

Glad to see they got a shooter, but we need a replacement for Gilvydas.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

So, I assume that Poyser is out?

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

I like Corey Evans' opinion of him...

Corey Evans ‏@coreyevans_10 · now
With Christion Thompson, URI might have found a HM sleeper! Big time potential in wing from the Bayou State. Kid can go

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

OK, we got our shooter.
Nice surprise.
On to a big man! Accept no suibstitutes.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

RoadyJay · Unread post by **RoadyJay** » 10 years ago

Great job, Jimmy Carr!!

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Wow! It's already in Projo.
Will wonders never cease!

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Wow! It's already in Projo.
Will wonders never cease!

I almost had a heart attack when I saw it, maybe someone else wrote it under his name

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

Welcome, Christion!

As for other targets, some are targeting a spring decision. At that time, the staff is more likely to know for sure about any extra spots opening up.

CT Rhody · Unread post by **CT Rhody** » 10 years ago

It can't hurt to lock in 3 recruits in the fall and continue to chase other top players into the spring since rumors are another 1-2 spots might open up.

CT Rhody · Unread post by **CT Rhody** » 10 years ago

Poyser should still be heavily recruited since he could be a real building block for this team. Playing a three guard linup there is still room for another elite guard.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ss ... _chri.html

"The coaching staff treated me like I was one of their's already," Thompson said. "The players really showed a lot of love and I love the plan the coaching staff has for me."

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

Good get. Haven't even had a chance to make the profile yet. It's coming, hopefully tomorrow. Welcome to the Rhody family Christion!

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

He must have been really blown away by URI because this article came out only 7 weeks ago. I think it's been posted already, but he talks about his recruitment plans. http://www.louisianabasketballreport.co ... id=1281854

Ramrod · Unread post by **Ramrod** » 10 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:So, I assume that Poyser is out?

Not so sure. Poyser is a definite PG. Thompson seems like a pure, off the ball SG who can shoot, rebound, and hopefully defend. With TJ graduating this year, Minnis the next, (and maybe EC the year after that), couldn't hurt to have another natural PG alongside Garrett given that injuries can happen.

I agree that a forward/center would be the best use of that last scholly to replace Gil, but I'm still going to be pumped if we are able to land Poyser. Seems like the Rams' top 5 or 6 big man targets have committed elsewhere, I'd be disappointed if we settled on plan F or G just to have a big body. Without much on-court success to speak of yet, Hurley's strength in recruiting has definitely been bringing in top notch guards so far. It might take some more notoriety for this program to attract the Silva's, Enoch's, Falzon's, and Reuters of the world. Who knows, maybe we get Aflak anyway.

On another note, kind of surprised by the quick commitment after his first official visit. Especially given this quote in the article posted by sf2010 above (written in July):

"Thompson told us that he has no timetable to make his decision but he plans on making a couple unofficial visits during the season but will save his five officials for a later time. He doesn't have a top 5 just yet because he expects to get more exposure during the season at his new school Madison Prep Academy alongside Brandon Sampson. He also wants to get back in school and sit with his family before making any decisions."

Nice job sealing the deal over the weekend if that's the way he was feeling only a few months ago.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

From this point on, there's a certain level of maintenance involved in a commit like this, but he says he's all in.

http://www.louisianabasketballreport.co ... id=1268541

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

Some thoughts from Chris DiSano-

http://www.coxhub.com/articles/louisian ... ce=twitter

Ram Stampede!!! · Unread post by **Ram Stampede!!!** » 10 years ago

Go Rhody!!

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Good job by Chris, as always.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

What does that Jim Carr guy do anyway?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Up until this, not that much, as far as recruiting goes.
Most of the guys who have come here on visits were
Cox's or Murray's recruits.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

Koch's article on the commitment. Rhody is lucky to have him and DiSano writing and talking about the program.

http://www.independentri.com/sports/art ... bc084.html

A young man who listens to and trusts his mama- I love him already

Thompson tweeted out a pair of pictures during his time in Rhode Island this weekend, both from Newport’s Cliff Walk. One of them showed Thompson arm-in-arm with his mother, Nedria, and the relationship URI’s staff built with her went a long way toward helping Thompson to commit.
“She’s a person who trusts in her gut,” Thompson said. “She thought the school was a good fit for me. The coaches understood she was a big part of my recruitment and where I would go to college.”
“They must have struck a chord with his mother as well,” Denison said. “She loved them.”

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

Newport on a gorgeous Saturday could not have hurt the cause.
Hurley and staff will make sure this commitment stays solid.

Rhodyhooopz · Unread post by **Rhodyhooopz** » 10 years ago

good job Rhody!!!!!

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 10 years ago

Great get - I'm sure this will turn into something where everyone else will start to know this kid's name over the winter.

Lets go get aflak!

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

Reading about Christion and his family and reading his quotes about committing, seems like a great cultural fit for the program Dan is building here. Articulate and thoughtful kid, good family, and seems like a basketball fit with huge upside.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Yes, I don't see any negatives here.
He's already a 3 star with untapped potential. No film, but everything I've read
points to a complete player, who has the physical goods to
only get better. We needed a real shooter.
Luckily, the fall signing will happen before his season begins.
If Hurley and company could have kept EC in the pack, while he was under
great pressure to change his mind, they should be able to
keep Thompson in the fold.

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

This time last year URI had 0 commits (other than Watson being enrolled). To get two early commits is huge. Let's the staff go after only high-quality bigs. And if they want, they can wait until late to see if anyone shakes loose.

Ram Stampede!!! · Unread post by **Ram Stampede!!!** » 10 years ago

I like the connection via Rhody defeating LSU last season. What a great win that was and it looks to have really paid off!

Ramrod · Unread post by **Ramrod** » 10 years ago

Ram Stampede!!! wrote:I like the connection via Rhody defeating LSU last season. What a great win that was and it looks to have really paid off!

Exactly! Shows how on-court wins lead to recruitment wins. A great year this year will really help us in 2016 and also with whatever remaining scholarships are left for 2015. The program has plenty of talent and depth that we don't need to settle on mediocre talent going forward. The remaining scholarships should be treated like gold. Only recruit players who are going to make the team better, not sit at the end of then bench. You never know what late cycle recruitment will look like with mid-season transfers or decommits that reopen their recruitment. It's probably always a good policy to leave a scholarship open in order to be able to chase those guys.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 10 years ago

Ram Stampede!!! wrote:I like the connection via Rhody defeating LSU last season. What a great win that was and it looks to have really paid off!

Nice identification of a prospect, then recruiting Thompson by Jim Carr. Another example of how this Coaching staff successfully recruits players. Good to see the loyalty developed with the player and with his family.
Agree that the LSU win is certainly something that URI's Coaches can point to. Also good scheduling on our part with the home and home with Southern Mississippi. Baton Rouge is only 150 miles from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. URI plays Southern Mississippi on Saturday December 6th so I would expect Thompson, family and friends to take a visit for that contest

Nice to see two players already verbaled and not even October yet - when was the last time that happened at URI?

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 10 years ago

Absolutely thrilled with this commitment. How many recruiting profiles have we seen that say "ball-handling and athleticism are a plus, outside shot needs work?" So happy to be bringing in a strong outside shooter, who at 6'4" also brings good size. Very excited to see what Christion does in his upcoming season, and hopefully we'll get some good nightlight videos coming up

Would be through the moon now if we were to get Poyser. Or Aflak. Or some yet-to-be-named big. Rhody hoops is looking good.

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 10 years ago

I'm seeing CT as the successor to EC.......this could be EC's last year with us......

I would still like to see Poyser come to Kingston......

I need to see if Iffy and Watson can fill that 4-5 spot before I fret about another post player...

I still would like a big wing player like 6-7 or so with a shot from 3 point land.....