Bloomington, Indiana – Race Thompson became an essential part of Mike Woodson’s Indiana basketball team last season, and it was so much fun that he decided to come back for more.
Thompson, a resident of Plymouth, Minnesota, has been in Indiana for five years already, but is taking advantage of the additional COVID-19 bonus to “reboot” it, he said on social media Thursday night in his announcement to return to Hoosiers.
“I trust Coach Woodson and his plan to develop into the best player I can take to another level,” Thompson said on Thursday night.
The 6-foot-8 Thompson was captain of the team a year ago, and had his best season with the Hoosier. He averaged 11.1 points per game and 7.5 rebounds, also his career best. He’s also become more of a peripheral threat, making 15 three-pointers after making only six in the three years before him.
Thompson started and played in all 35 games last year, playing up front with his close friend Trace Jackson-Davis. They have played together for three years now, and there has been some concern about what they will both do off season. Thompson is the first domino to fall.
Jackson-Davis, the team’s top scorer and striker, announced the NBA draft last week, but has not hired an agent and is keeping college eligibility options open. Only first-round picks get guaranteed contracts, which is not a first-round pick in any of the more common dummy drafts. He’s a second-round pick in some, but many others aren’t recruited at all.
Thompson and Jackson Davis are roommates and best friends. Thompson’s return is in good news for Indiana fans hoping Jackson-Davis will return as well.
Indiana forward Reese Thompson (25) and Indiana forward Miller Cobb (12) defeat Purdue forward Mason Gillis (0) during the second half of a NCAA men’s basketball game, Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Mackie Arena in West Lafayette.
Indiana Rhys Thompson (25) fights emotions during his speech during VIP night activities after the Indiana men’s basketball game against Rutgers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 1, 2022.
Indiana Race Thompson (25) hugs Tracye Jackson-Davis (23) after his speech during the big night activities after the Indiana vs. Rutgers men’s basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 1, 2022.
March 10, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Eli Brooks (55) dribbles the ball while Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) defends in the first half at Ginbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan forward Brandon Jones Jr. rebounds against Indiana forward Reese Thompson during the first half of a major championship game on Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Indianapolis.
March 11, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini, Kofi Cockburn (21) moves to shoot the ball while Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) defends in the first half at Ginbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
March 11, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) catches the ball while Illinois Fighting Guard Eleni Luke Goode (10) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
March 11, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers striker Reese Thompson (25) kicks the ball over Illinois Fighting Guard Eleni Da Monte Williams (20) in the second half at Ginbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
March 11, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana forward Reese Thompson (25) hits the ball while Illinois Fighting striker Eleni Coleman Hawkins (33) and quarterback Kofi Cockburn (21) defend in the second half at Ginbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
March 12, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) regained the ball while Iowa Hawks (0) forward Philip Rebraca defended in the second half against Ginbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
March 14, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Indiana forward Trace Jackson-Davis (23) guard Xavier Johnson (0) forward Race Thompson (25) speaks with the media during training the day before the first four start of the 2022 NCAA Championships at UD Arena. Mandatory credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
March 14, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) hits the ball during training the day before the first four start of the 2022 NCAA Championship at UD Arena. Mandatory credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
March 14, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Race Thompson (25) Indiana Hoosiers forward goes to the basket during training the day before the first four start of the 2022 NCAA Championships at UD Arena. Mandatory credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
March 14, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) hits the ball during training the day before the first four start of the 2022 NCAA Championship at UD Arena. Mandatory credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
March 15, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) looks to move the ball in the first inning against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first four of the 2022 NCAA Championship at UD Arena. Mandatory credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
March 15, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) dunks the ball in the first inning against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first four of the 2022 NCAA Championship at UD Arena. Mandatory credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
March 15, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) hits the ball over Wyoming Cowboys forward Jeremiah Odin (25) in the second half during the first four of the 2022 NCAA Championship at UD Arena. Mandatory credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana’s Reese Thompson (25) makes a rebound during the Indiana vs. Wyoming NCAA First Four game at University of Dayton Arena on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
March 15, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Miller Cobb (12) celebrates with Indiana Hoosiers forward Reese Thompson (25) after defeating the Wyoming Cowboys during the first four of the 2022 NCAA Championship at UD Arena. Mandatory credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
17 March 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) is defended by Saint Mary’s Gaels forward Kyle Bowen (14) and forward Matthias Tass (11) during the first half during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Thompson reclassified him for early registration in Indiana, and delayed his entry into his freshman year. He played in just nine games in 2018-2019, but played in 29 games the following year. He started all 27 games in 2020-21, averaging 9.2 points per game. But the Hoosiers only went 12-15 that year and Archie Miller was fired.
Mike Woodson, a former Indiana senior player from 1976 to 1980, was named head coach and spoke with Thompson on stay, vowing to expand his game. It all paid off, as Thompson was an honorable pick for all of the Big Ten by the media.
Thompson went during the Senior Night festivities in early March, but left the door open for a comeback. The Hoosiers won two games in the Big Ten and earned an invitation to the NCAA Championship, their first in six years.
Indiana beat Wyoming, but then lost to Saint Mary’s in Portland, Oregon.
- Trace Jackson-Davis Announcement for the NBA Draft: Indiana forward Tracee Jackson-Davis enters the 2022 NBA draft so he can work with the NBA teams and get some feedback. He has until June 1 to withdraw, because he hasn’t signed with an agent and can still go back to college. click here
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- Fans Make ‘One Bright Moment’: Another college basketball season is in the books, and congratulations to Kansas on its national title. The annual One Shining Moment video is a classic, and it features the incredible rescue action of Indiana fans Cassidy Cerny and Nathan Paris when a ball is stuck over the backboard. Here is the full “One Shining Moment” video. click here
