Syracuse commit Taurean Thompson discusses why he picked the Orange
By Mike Waters | mwaters@syracuse.com
Syracuse, N.Y. — Taurean Thompson struggled with his college decision.
Thompson, a 6-foot-10 forward out of Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., was the last player ranked in the Class of 2016's top 100 to pick a school.
Thompson had offers from the likes of Xavier, Connecticut and Georgetown, but eventually whittled the list down to Syracuse, Seton Hall and Michigan State.
"I had a bunch of great schools to choose from,'' Thompson said in a telephone interview Saturday night. "I was weighing my options. It was a tough decision.''
He discussed his options with his mother, Sherese Piper, his grandfather and other family members. But a week ago, in a quiet moment by himself, Thompson came to a decision.
"I sat down and thought it out,'' Thompson said. "I thought about what I liked and what I didn't like until I got comfortable.''
Thompson felt most comfortable with Syracuse.
"I felt comfortable with the school,'' he said. "I was familiar with everybody. I felt it was the place for me to be.''
His mind made up, Thompson called Syracuse assistant coach Adrian Autry.
"I called him and told him I was coming,'' Thompson said. "He was excited. He was yelling.''
Thompson gives Syracuse its third Top 100 player in the 2016 class. He joins Syracuse's two other incoming freshmen -- Tyus Battle, a 6-foot-6 guard from St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen, N.J.; and Matthew Moyer, a 6-8 forward from South Kent (Conn.) Prep. Thompson, a New York City native, spent his senior year at Brewster Academy after attending St. Anthony's in Jersey City, N.J., during his first three years of high school.
Thompson had been on Syracuse's radar for the past year. Thompson visited the SU campus multiple times.
"I think my first visit was in the fall,'' Thompson said. "They've always been around. They've been loyal to me.''
Thompson's most recent visit to Syracuse came in early May. That same weekend several recruits in the 2017 class also made the trip to the SU campus. The group included Jordan Tucker, Hamidou Diallo and Quade Green. Moyer and Colorado State grad transfer John Gillon, who eventually picked Syracuse, were also on campus that weekend.
"I had a good time,'' Thompson said. "We spent the whole day together. We hung out and played some pickup ball.''
Thompson said the relationship he developed with Autry was a key factor in his decision.
"He's hilarious,'' Thompson said. "He's a real funny guy. I enjoyed talking to him. But he's serious about my development. He put his heart into me coming to the school.''
Thompson said it made an impression when SU coach Jim Boeheim came to Brewster and attended his games.
Thompson said he plans to attend Syracuse's second summer session, which will allow him to ahead academically and also start training at the Melo Center.
"I'm excited,'' he said. "I can't wait to get started.''
Even though his was a difficult decision, Thompson said he's comfortable with his choice.
"Once I knew that I felt right about it, that was it,'' he said. "No regrets.''
By Mike Waters | mwaters@syracuse.com Syracuse, N.Y. — Taurean Thompson struggled with his college decision.
Thompson, a 6-foot-10 forward out of Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., was the last player ranked in the Class of 2016's top 100 to pick a school.
Thompson had offers from the likes of Xavier, Connecticut and Georgetown, but eventually whittled the list down to Syracuse, Seton Hall and Michigan State.
"I had a bunch of great schools to choose from,'' Thompson said in a telephone interview Saturday night. "I was weighing my options. It was a tough decision.''
He discussed his options with his mother, Sherese Piper, his grandfather and other family members. But a week ago, in a quiet moment by himself, Thompson came to a decision.
"I sat down and thought it out,'' Thompson said. "I thought about what I liked and what I didn't like until I got comfortable.''
Thompson felt most comfortable with Syracuse.
"I felt comfortable with the school,'' he said. "I was familiar with everybody. I felt it was the place for me to be.''
His mind made up, Thompson called Syracuse assistant coach Adrian Autry.
"I called him and told him I was coming,'' Thompson said. "He was excited. He was yelling.''
Thompson gives Syracuse its third Top 100 player in the 2016 class. He joins Syracuse's two other incoming freshmen -- Tyus Battle, a 6-foot-6 guard from St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen, N.J.; and Matthew Moyer, a 6-8 forward from South Kent (Conn.) Prep. Thompson, a New York City native, spent his senior year at Brewster Academy after attending St. Anthony's in Jersey City, N.J., during his first three years of high school.
Thompson had been on Syracuse's radar for the past year. Thompson visited the SU campus multiple times.
"I think my first visit was in the fall,'' Thompson said. "They've always been around. They've been loyal to me.''
Thompson's most recent visit to Syracuse came in early May. That same weekend several recruits in the 2017 class also made the trip to the SU campus. The group included Jordan Tucker, Hamidou Diallo and Quade Green. Moyer and Colorado State grad transfer John Gillon, who eventually picked Syracuse, were also on campus that weekend.
"I had a good time,'' Thompson said. "We spent the whole day together. We hung out and played some pickup ball.''
Thompson said the relationship he developed with Autry was a key factor in his decision.
"He's hilarious,'' Thompson said. "He's a real funny guy. I enjoyed talking to him. But he's serious about my development. He put his heart into me coming to the school.''
Thompson said it made an impression when SU coach Jim Boeheim came to Brewster and attended his games.
Thompson said he plans to attend Syracuse's second summer session, which will allow him to ahead academically and also start training at the Melo Center.
"I'm excited,'' he said. "I can't wait to get started.''
Even though his was a difficult decision, Thompson said he's comfortable with his choice.
"Once I knew that I felt right about it, that was it,'' he said. "No regrets.''
