Indiana University Athletics
‘Confident’ Race Thompson Continues Growing His Game
10/3/2022 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Relationships matter. Race Thompson understands that, which is why, when it comes down to it, the Indiana senior forward says, he wants to be remembered most of all as "a great teammate, a good friend."
And then, "Someone who would do anything to win a game."
And finally, "All the good stuff. That's really it. That's all I could ask for."
Much has been asked of Thompson during his six Cream 'n Crimson seasons. He's endured injuries, disappointments, a losing season and a coaching change. He's persevered, grown his game from inside banger to versatile force who can bring the ball up the court, pass, hit the occasional three-pointer, serve as an all-around complement to All-America teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis and ...
Help the Hoosiers return to NCAA tourney participation.
Last season, Thompson averaged 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds, 7.9 rebounds in Big Ten games. He added 50 assists and 24 blocks.
Coach Mike Woodson asked a lot in his first season, and Thompson delivered as IU played in and won a NCAA tourney game.
Then there's his three-point shooting. Thompson made just six three-pointers in his first three seasons. Last year, he made 15 and shot 40 percent from long distance in his final 17 games.
Look for more this season as the Hoosiers seek to find consistent offense to match stifling defense and regain their title-winning mojo.
"It's an everyday thing for me," Thompson says about working on his shooting. "I got shots up day in, day out, seven days a week. Definitely coaches want me shooting (three-pointers). Even my teammates push me to shoot them. They say I don't shoot them enough."
The goal is for Thompson to become a dominant inside-and-out threat so he can "stretch the floor a little bit."
"I see that as being a part of my game. It's something that I did before I was even here. It's gotten better almost every year, so it's really just a confidence thing, and I'm feeling real confident right now in it."
Thompson has stayed a Hoosier for so long because of his faith in Woodson, because he believes the Hoosiers can make a title run and that he can elevate his game to NBA-worthy consideration.
"I think the sky's the limit for our team," he says. "We've got a deep team. We have really good freshmen, good returning players. I'm excited for this year."
Excitement includes a strong player-led approach that was lacking in previous seasons.
"Coach Woodson is still here," Thompson says. "He definitely has a presence, but it's a little more player led. The coaches want that because they say player-led teams are the best teams.
"We had time to build a relationship over the past year. It's a little more comfortable knowing the coaching staff, knowing everything that's going on, knowing the plays, knowing what the defense is.
"(The young players) look to the older guys to show them what to do."
Thompson takes his leadership responsibility seriously.
"I've grown as a leader as I've been here, and I've been here for a while. I've been taught by the people who came before me, so I'm trying to pass my knowledge that I learned from them on down on things that worked and things that didn't work so we can build as a team and be the best team we can be."
Thompson sees special things coming from freshman Malik Reneau, junior Jordan Geronimo and sophomore Logan Duncombe, who barely played last season.
"It's going to work," Thompson says. "We have a great coach with Coach Woodson, and all the other coaches. We're great players. We know how to play with each other. We've been playing with each other all summer.
"Me and Trayce know how to play with each, and then Malik has fit right in; Logan has gotten better; Jordan is playing inside and out. We're going to mesh because we're close off the court, and I think that's one of the most important things.
"If you add that relationship, then when you get on the court, you're able to work together and play within each other."
Thompson has seen team-wide improvement.
"Everybody came back stronger, faster, better. It's exciting to see everybody grow and everybody want to take that next step in their game."
That excitement goes public on Friday with Hoosier Hysteria at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Relationships matter. Race Thompson understands that, which is why, when it comes down to it, the Indiana senior forward says, he wants to be remembered most of all as "a great teammate, a good friend."
And then, "Someone who would do anything to win a game."
And finally, "All the good stuff. That's really it. That's all I could ask for."
Much has been asked of Thompson during his six Cream 'n Crimson seasons. He's endured injuries, disappointments, a losing season and a coaching change. He's persevered, grown his game from inside banger to versatile force who can bring the ball up the court, pass, hit the occasional three-pointer, serve as an all-around complement to All-America teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis and ...
Help the Hoosiers return to NCAA tourney participation.
Last season, Thompson averaged 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds, 7.9 rebounds in Big Ten games. He added 50 assists and 24 blocks.
Coach Mike Woodson asked a lot in his first season, and Thompson delivered as IU played in and won a NCAA tourney game.
Then there's his three-point shooting. Thompson made just six three-pointers in his first three seasons. Last year, he made 15 and shot 40 percent from long distance in his final 17 games.
Look for more this season as the Hoosiers seek to find consistent offense to match stifling defense and regain their title-winning mojo.
"It's an everyday thing for me," Thompson says about working on his shooting. "I got shots up day in, day out, seven days a week. Definitely coaches want me shooting (three-pointers). Even my teammates push me to shoot them. They say I don't shoot them enough."
The goal is for Thompson to become a dominant inside-and-out threat so he can "stretch the floor a little bit."
"I see that as being a part of my game. It's something that I did before I was even here. It's gotten better almost every year, so it's really just a confidence thing, and I'm feeling real confident right now in it."
Thompson has stayed a Hoosier for so long because of his faith in Woodson, because he believes the Hoosiers can make a title run and that he can elevate his game to NBA-worthy consideration.
"I think the sky's the limit for our team," he says. "We've got a deep team. We have really good freshmen, good returning players. I'm excited for this year."
Excitement includes a strong player-led approach that was lacking in previous seasons.
"Coach Woodson is still here," Thompson says. "He definitely has a presence, but it's a little more player led. The coaches want that because they say player-led teams are the best teams.
"We had time to build a relationship over the past year. It's a little more comfortable knowing the coaching staff, knowing everything that's going on, knowing the plays, knowing what the defense is.
"(The young players) look to the older guys to show them what to do."
Thompson takes his leadership responsibility seriously.
"I've grown as a leader as I've been here, and I've been here for a while. I've been taught by the people who came before me, so I'm trying to pass my knowledge that I learned from them on down on things that worked and things that didn't work so we can build as a team and be the best team we can be."
Thompson sees special things coming from freshman Malik Reneau, junior Jordan Geronimo and sophomore Logan Duncombe, who barely played last season.
"It's going to work," Thompson says. "We have a great coach with Coach Woodson, and all the other coaches. We're great players. We know how to play with each other. We've been playing with each other all summer.
"Me and Trayce know how to play with each, and then Malik has fit right in; Logan has gotten better; Jordan is playing inside and out. We're going to mesh because we're close off the court, and I think that's one of the most important things.
"If you add that relationship, then when you get on the court, you're able to work together and play within each other."
Thompson has seen team-wide improvement.
"Everybody came back stronger, faster, better. It's exciting to see everybody grow and everybody want to take that next step in their game."
That excitement goes public on Friday with Hoosier Hysteria at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Players Mentioned
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Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
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Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
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