https://setonhall.rivals.com/publishing/contents/1915181/edit
Not sure if the link will work so here's an older article I wrote.
Times do change perspectives.....
Taurean Thompson
6-10
225 lbs
Power forward/Center
Sophomore
ESPN Rating 82
4 Star
75th top 100
At Syracuse
Stats:
17.9 MPG
FG% .546
3 Pt% .188
FT% .645
PPG 9.2
First disappointment for Seton Hall then excitement.
During the summer of 2016 word leaked that ESPN 4 star player and consensus top 100 recruit Taurean Thompson had narrowed his college choices to two. Syracuse University and Seton Hall. To the dismay of all Pirate fans Thompson decided to play for Jim Boeheim and made his announcement July 1 of that year.
Seton Hall was devastated. They believed they were the favorite to sign the 6-10 big man with loads of potential and had spent countless time in that pursuit. It didn't take long to understand why. The raw but talented PF/C averaged nearly 10 PPG shooting 54.6% from the field in only 18 MPG in upstate New York his freshman season.
Still, despite those numbers there were whispers that Thompson wasn't happy at Syracuse and that lead to issues with his coach and teammates. Whispers that were confirmed the following summer when the mercurial NJ resident asked for a release from Syracuse to transfer back to his home state and play for Seton Hall.
This news as expected was met with anger by Boeheim who quietly behind the scenes made it difficult for his former player to transfers to the Hall. White noise so to speak as the Syracuse coach could do little more than delay the transfers and just before the school year of 2017 Thompson became a Pirate attending classes to make it official.
It took 12 months more than expected but Thompson with the help of past SHU coach Shaheen Holloway was now allowed to practice with the team, but because he transferred from one D1 team to another he had to sit out a season.
Would that become an issue with word leaking from Syracuse that Thompson caused problems in the locker room and was a bad teammate? Pirate fans were understandably apprehensive but their fears were for naught as the big man conducted himself in a model way, both on the court and just as importantly in the classroom during his sit out year.
Bottom Line
With the conclusion of the 2018 season Thompson is now eligible to play for the Pirates and it's anticipated that he'll replace honorable mention All American Angel Delgado in the Hall's starting lineup.
Thompson coming out of high school was considered a developing big man with loads of ability who was raw on offense and needed work on defense. His top 100 ranking was based more on potential than results.
Thompson possesses a tall lanky big frame that is ideal for a 4 man. He has a strong face up mid range game and will need work but has the ability to stretch his range to the arc.
Thompson needs work on his mental approach as he is still learning the game and has to understand the nuances inherent in playing at a high level. That comes with PT and experience and his sit out year is expected to help in that regard.
Taurean also has to work on his D, a weakness that was hidden to a degree in the middle of the famed Syracuse zone. A weakness that will become more apparent if not corrected playing for Kevin Willard who prefers M/M defense.
The bottom line is that Seton Hall has a talented big who can take the ball outside the paint and score. He also has the ability to face up and take his man off the dribble. What he lacks at the moment is a quality back to the basket game, something his predecessor at the Hall perfected, often commanding double teams.
On the other end of the court Thompson has good weakside/help shot blocking ability but must work on his M/M D.
Its been a long journey for the big man to show Pirate fans what he can do, and the journey is still not complete as we are nearly 7 months away from the start of the 2018/19 season. But the wait should be worth it if Taurean Thompson can in some way follow in the footsteps of the man he is replacing, Angel Delgado.
Not sure if the link will work so here's an older article I wrote.
Times do change perspectives.....
Taurean Thompson
6-10
225 lbs
Power forward/Center
Sophomore
ESPN Rating 82
4 Star
75th top 100
At Syracuse
Stats:
17.9 MPG
FG% .546
3 Pt% .188
FT% .645
PPG 9.2
First disappointment for Seton Hall then excitement.
During the summer of 2016 word leaked that ESPN 4 star player and consensus top 100 recruit Taurean Thompson had narrowed his college choices to two. Syracuse University and Seton Hall. To the dismay of all Pirate fans Thompson decided to play for Jim Boeheim and made his announcement July 1 of that year.
Seton Hall was devastated. They believed they were the favorite to sign the 6-10 big man with loads of potential and had spent countless time in that pursuit. It didn't take long to understand why. The raw but talented PF/C averaged nearly 10 PPG shooting 54.6% from the field in only 18 MPG in upstate New York his freshman season.
Still, despite those numbers there were whispers that Thompson wasn't happy at Syracuse and that lead to issues with his coach and teammates. Whispers that were confirmed the following summer when the mercurial NJ resident asked for a release from Syracuse to transfer back to his home state and play for Seton Hall.
This news as expected was met with anger by Boeheim who quietly behind the scenes made it difficult for his former player to transfers to the Hall. White noise so to speak as the Syracuse coach could do little more than delay the transfers and just before the school year of 2017 Thompson became a Pirate attending classes to make it official.
It took 12 months more than expected but Thompson with the help of past SHU coach Shaheen Holloway was now allowed to practice with the team, but because he transferred from one D1 team to another he had to sit out a season.
Would that become an issue with word leaking from Syracuse that Thompson caused problems in the locker room and was a bad teammate? Pirate fans were understandably apprehensive but their fears were for naught as the big man conducted himself in a model way, both on the court and just as importantly in the classroom during his sit out year.
Bottom Line
With the conclusion of the 2018 season Thompson is now eligible to play for the Pirates and it's anticipated that he'll replace honorable mention All American Angel Delgado in the Hall's starting lineup.
Thompson coming out of high school was considered a developing big man with loads of ability who was raw on offense and needed work on defense. His top 100 ranking was based more on potential than results.
Thompson possesses a tall lanky big frame that is ideal for a 4 man. He has a strong face up mid range game and will need work but has the ability to stretch his range to the arc.
Thompson needs work on his mental approach as he is still learning the game and has to understand the nuances inherent in playing at a high level. That comes with PT and experience and his sit out year is expected to help in that regard.
Taurean also has to work on his D, a weakness that was hidden to a degree in the middle of the famed Syracuse zone. A weakness that will become more apparent if not corrected playing for Kevin Willard who prefers M/M defense.
The bottom line is that Seton Hall has a talented big who can take the ball outside the paint and score. He also has the ability to face up and take his man off the dribble. What he lacks at the moment is a quality back to the basket game, something his predecessor at the Hall perfected, often commanding double teams.
On the other end of the court Thompson has good weakside/help shot blocking ability but must work on his M/M D.
Its been a long journey for the big man to show Pirate fans what he can do, and the journey is still not complete as we are nearly 7 months away from the start of the 2018/19 season. But the wait should be worth it if Taurean Thompson can in some way follow in the footsteps of the man he is replacing, Angel Delgado.
