Texas Hoops Article On Tristan Thompson

OldTimer · April 28, 2007

It took a bit longer than he originally hoped, but Tristan Thompson has found himself a Division I home. From the Houston Swoosh AAU program to Angleton High School to Houston Select to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, the 6-foot-5, 195-pound wing saw a whole host of schools drift in and out of his recruitment every step of the way. But only one of those was the right fit for him and all of his needs, and he'll sign with that program to come back home to Texas.

"I've committed to North Texas and I'll be signing tomorrow (Saturday)," Thompson said. "It just felt right. Coach (Johnny) Jones had texted me in the middle of class and said to give him a call after, so I did and I told him that I'd commit to him."

"I'm really excited about my decision," he continued. "My mom and dad will get to see me play and I'll be close to home. And Coach Jones and his staff, they really made me feel like I was wanted and I took that seriously."

The commitment to UNT ends a long process that began prior to Thompson's senior year in high school almost two years ago. But there's no more wait - he's heading to Division I basketball.

"It feels really good," Thompson said. "The reason I took so long was because of all the coaching changes that have gone on. I was getting ready to sign with Wichita State, but then Coach Turgeon left. I also didn't want to go somewhere where I'd be like the 3rd or 4th option. At UNT, I can step in and fill a role at shooting guard."

Thompson had a solid year at Brewster Academy this past season, one in which he surely prepared himself for the rigors of the Sun Belt Conference next season. "I've already added about 15 pounds since I was at Angleton - I was 180 then and I'm 195 now and still growing," Thompson said. "I still need to continue to get stronger and continue working on my defense and getting quicker."