NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Jeff Capel announced today the signing of junior college forward Nick Thompson to a national letter of intent.
Thompson, a 6-9, 210-pound sophomore who attends the College of Eastern Utah, helped his team to a third-place finish at this year's national junior college tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. It was the school's best finish in 45 years.
Thompson averaged 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists (ranked second on team) in 23.6 minutes per contest for the 27-10 Golden Eagles. He shot .556 from the field, .388 from 3-point range (19-for-49) and .688 from the free throw line.
"I'm really excited about Nick," said Capel. "He's a guy we got in on late and had a chance to see at the national juco tournament. He's a very skilled 4-man who can shoot the basketball, put it on the floor and pass it. He's long and he's a good athlete. I love his motor. He's a real high-energy guy, a guy we're fortunate to get here in the late signing period.
"He's going to have to put on a little bit of weight. He understands that when he gets here in June he'll have to work. That's the main thing with him -- he's not afraid of work, he's not afraid to be a part of something. He really wants to do that. I love that he really wanted to be at the University of Oklahoma."
As a freshman in 2008-09, Thompson averaged 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 15.5 minutes a game for 25-7 CEU. He shot .533 from the field and .692 from the foul line.
Thompson, who spent some of his childhood in Oklahoma, is from Clinton, Utah, and attended Clearfield High School.
Thompson joins high school seniors Cameron Clark, Tyler Neal and T.J. Taylor as members of OU's 2010 recruiting class. Clark, a 6-6 wing from Sherman, Texas, is rated No. 30 nationally by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Neal is a 6-7 forward from Putnam City West High School in Oklahoma City who is the reigning state player of the year. Taylor, a 6-3 combo guard from Denison, Texas, is rated No. 78 nationally by ESPN.com and No. 91 by Scout.com.
