Sources: Thompson’s going pro
Tristan Thompson, who was a relentless offensive rebounder and shot-blocker for the Longhorns last season, will not return to Texas for his sophomore season and instead will make himself eligible for the NBA Draft, a source close to his family said.
The source said he spoke to Thompson this week.
An NBA scout familiar with Thompson’s situation also said the player would leave school.
The NBA allows college until Sunday to submit their names for the draft. The NCAA permits players to remove their names from the draft by May 8 and still retain college eligibility providing they have not signed with an agent.
Thompson said last week, at the Longhorns’ annual awards banquet, that if he did enter the draft, it would be with an agent.
Jordan Hamilton, Texas’ leading scorer, also is deliberating between coming back to Texas or going pro.
Some mock drafts in the Internet indicate that Thompson could be selected in the middle of the first round.
His value was enhanced when higher rated players -
Jared Sullinger of Ohio State,
Perry Jones III of Baylor and
Harrison Barnes of North Carolina - elected to remain in school.
Thompson averaged 13.1 points, ranked second in the Big 12 with 7.8 rebounds a game and first with 2.4 blocked shots. The 6-foot-8 forward’s 3.8 offensive rebounds a game led the league.
He was named a first-team freshman All-American by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
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