Thompson Joins Men’s Basketball Program

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - Race Thompson, a 6-8, 220lb., forward from Plymouth, Minnesota, became the fourth member of the Hoosier's 2017 recruiting class when he enrolled at Indiana University earlier this week. He was the No. 71 player in the Class of 2018 but decided to reclassify and earn his High School diploma this summer.

"We are really excited to have Race join us this fall," said IU Coach Archie Miller. "It took a tremendous amount of trust from he and his family to graduate and allow our staff to get to work with him for this year as he gets acclimated to college life."

Thompson graduated from Robbinsdale (Minnesota) High School where he was coached by Greg Miller. Last year, he averaged 19.6 points and 8.9 rebounds and shot 58.5% from the floor and 45.0% from three-point range. He also attempted a school record 101 free throws. He comes from the DI Minnesota AAU program and was coached by Jeremy Miller.

"He will thrive as he trains and gets ahead of the curve a year from now and be ready to contribute," added Miller. "Race is a great fit for Bloomington, IU and Hoosier basketball."

His father, Darrell, was the all-time leading rusher at Minnesota where he played running back from 1986-89 and was later a first round pick of the Green Bay Packers. His mother, the former Stephanie Thompson, played volleyball at Iowa and his sister, Dominique earned All-Big Ten honors at Wisconsin during his time as a member of the Badger volleyball program from 2010-14.

He joins guard Aljami Durham, and forwards Justin Smith and Clifton Moore as scholarship newcomers for the Hoosiers. He is the first Minnesotan to play for IU since Luke Jimenez suited up for the Hoosiers from 1997-00.

Lasko Added As Non-Scholarship Player
IU Head Coach Archie Miller also announced that Ethan Lasko, a 6-2, 171 lb., guard from Hollywood, Florida has joined the team as a non-scholarship invitee. Lasko graduated in 2017 from Katz Yeshiva High School in Florida where he was coached by Bryan White. He played four years of varsity basketball and was a first-team All-County selection who averaged 25.6 points per game as a senior and 26.0 ppg as a junior. He also played for the Florida Vipers AAU program which was coached by Brandon McThay.

Gladstone Joins Staff As Graduate Manager
Miller also announced that Drew Gladstone will join the program as a graduate manager. The Greenwich, Conn., native will pursue a master's degree in Educational Leadership.

He comes to IU after spending the last three years as Head Boys Varsity Coach at St. Luke's School in New Canaan, Conn., from 2014-2017. While at SLS, led team to a 64-12 record, two Fairchester League Championships, two New England Class C Championships and was also named New England Class C Coach of the Year twice. He spent the 2011-12 season as a special assistant at Manhattan College and was part of a program that earned its first post season appearance in six years (CIT). He also Co-Founded High Rise Basketball in 2011, a player development program that runs camps, clinics, training programs, etc. based in Fairfield County, Conn.

He graduated in 2009 from DePaul where he played for Jerry Wainwright before his career ended due to a knee injury. He also played at Cardozo High School in Queens, NY for legendary NYC coach, Ron Naclerio.

Players Mentioned

Aljami Durham

Ethan Lasko

Clifton Moore

Justin Smith

Race Thompson

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