FAYETTEVILLE — This is the 11th of a 12-part series reviewing the 2016-17 season for each of Arkansas’ scholarship players.
TREY THOMPSON
Position: Forward/Center
Class: Junior
Height: 6-9
Weight: 265
Stats: 2.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.6 steals, 0.6 turnovers
63 FG%, 65.5 FT%, 14 MPG, 0 starts
Per 40 stats: 6.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.3 blocks, 1.8 steals
SEC stats: 2.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.8 steals, 0.5 turnovers
66.7 FG%, 64.7 FT%, 15 MPG, 0 starts
Offensive rating: 126.2
Defensive rating: 98.5
Net rating: 27.7
Best month: February, 3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.9 topg, 0.5 bpg, 66.7 FG%
Worst month: November, 2.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 apg, 0.8 topg, 0.4 bpg, 0.4 spg, 50 FG%
STRENGTHS
— Did not put up gaudy numbers, but made a very obvious impact on the game. Arkansas was generally very good when he was on the court, evidenced by his team-best plus-27.7 net rating, an absurd number for someone who played regular rotation minutes all season. The offense hummed when he was on the court, averaging a boisterous 126.2 points per 100 possessions, a number that would easily rank first in the nation if it was for a team. He also posted a team-best 98.5 defensive rating, serving as an underrated anchor on that end of the court.
— A very intelligent basketball player who raises the game of others around him as a result.
— Easily the best passer on the team. Averaged a team-high 4.5 assists per 40 minutes and had 10 games with 3 or more assists, all of which came from Dec. 22 on. Played his best basketball in February during a string of 4 straight games with 3 or more assists, including a career-high 6 in a win against Texas A&M. A great feel for the game. Could whip crosscourt lasers to shooters that most bigs wouldn’t even see, let alone consider, loft pinpoint high-low passes when paired with Moses Kingsley and was a master at hitting guards cutting backdoor against overplaying defenders. His presence on the court encouraged offensive flow and meaningful movement. When he had the ball above the break, the lane was open for cutters, something Arkansas' guards knew and took full advantage of, whirring around with vigor in the hopes of getting an easy bucket, a hope that was often rewarded by a Thompson dime.
— Very efficient player who never took bad shots. Soft touch allowed him to shoot 63 percent from the floor, his second straight year above the 60 percent line. Could stand to be more selfish.
— Made major strides at the line, going from a 51.6 percent foul shooter as a sophomore to 65.5 this season.
— Excellent screener, by far the best on the team. Makes solid contact and uses his wide frame to serve as a roadblock for defenders. Invites contact rather than trying to slip the screen or setting a weak, short one in order to get a jump on rolling to the rim, like some of his teammates had a habit of doing.
— A good rim protector, both positionally and as a shot blocker. Opponents shot just 24.3 percent around the rim with him in the vicinity and able to contest, putting him in the mid-90s percentile-wise in the nation. He understood rotations and was rarely out of position, which allowed him to challenge shots. He was also a solid shot blocker despite not being the most athletic big, averaging 2.3 blocks per 40. Had 12 multi-block games. Kingsley is an elite rim protector, but Thompson’s presence kept the second unit from cratering, at least from a post defense standpoint, when Kingsley rested.
— An excellent one-on-one post defender who ranked in the 94th percentile. Used his bulk to push players off the block and prevent them from establishing or working for deep post position. He did a good job contesting shots without fouling, sending players to the line on just 3.7 percent of post-ups. Opposing bigs shot just 25.9 percent and averaged a measly 0.556 points per possession on post-ups with him guarding them.
WEAKNESSES
— Not an offensive threat. Wasn’t a factor as a shooter and rarely operated with his back to the basket. But both areas are mitigated by the value he brings as a passer.
— Often turned down open mid-range looks. Finished 4 of 11 on jumpers, including 4 of 9 from 17 feet to the arc. Not a bad percentage, but his lack of attempts meant defenses didn’t respect his shot. Cocks the ball over his head in a long, slow release that is solid at times but also lends itself to a wide range of results, including some bad misses.
— Only finished 6 post-up possessions all season, scoring on 3. Not likely to ever be a big part of his game, which is fine given his passing chops.
— His size and lack of lateral quickness prevents him from switching onto guards, a versatility Anderson prefers his bigs to have. Better at dropping back and attempting to wall off the paint against ball screens.
— Conditioning could improve. Had a tendency to reach and foul when tired. Averaged 6.3 fouls per 40, just short of being the highest number on the team (Dustin Thomas, 6.3).
LOOKING AHEAD
All signs point to highly touted incoming freshman Daniel Gafford being an instant impact player from day one thanks to his athleticism, rebounding ability and shot-blocking skills. But Thompson is a great security blanket to have and will definitely play a big role as a senior. His basketball IQ and impact on the game make him an extremely valuable rotation player.
Thompson played in the shadows of Moses Kingsley and Bobby Portis his first 3 years. Gafford is expected to come in and be a starter from the word go, but a senior Thompson may have the biggest role of his career, handling duties at the 5 with Gafford and likely even playing alongside him some.
Part 1: Adrio Bailey
Part 2: Jaylen Barford
Part 3: Anton Beard
Part 4: Arlando Cook
Part 5: Dusty Hannahs
Part 6: Brachen Hazen
Part 7: C.J. Jones
Part 8: Moses Kingsley
Part 9: Daryl Macon
Part 10: Dustin Thomas