Maybe, but this guy is no slouch, and offers a good mix of qualities to the squad DD is building.
1. As an entering freshman on his junior college team, he had to find his way among a group of second year players. Despite coming off the bench, Thompson averaged almost a double-double. By March when his team entered the national junior college tournament, he may have developed into the team's best player. In the tournament his points-rebounds totals were 5-12, 13-10, 11-10, 11-5, 13-15, 23-10, and 16-9. Again, these totals were all achieved as a non-starter.
2. He brings a physical inside presence that the Herd will need in 2015-16. Not only is Thompson an excellent rebounder, but he gets to the free throw line a lot. He shot 8 or more free throws in 10 games last season, including total free throws of 10, 12, 14, and 19 in individual games. That's a lot of blue-collar banging inside. He should be a good complement to the Herd's array of three point shooters.
3. Thompson is a winner. His prep school and junior college teams won 61 times and lost just 11. Both achieved recognition on a national level for their success, and this young man was a significant contributor.
4. He has 3 years of eligibility remaining, not the usual 2 for a junior college player.
5. Thompson chose the Herd at least in part because, as a biology major, it has a medical school! Perhaps the last power forward from Marshall to earn a medical degree was Larry "Doc" Watson in the early 80's, who I believe now serves as the team physician for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. "Doc" not only battled on the hardwood, but he received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from old Marshall U.