BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Race Thompson became a key piece of Indiana’s basketball team under Mike Woodson last season, and it was so much fun that he’s decided to come back for more.
Thompson, a Plymouth, Minn., native, has been at Indiana for five years already, but he’s taking advantage of the bonus COVID-19 year to ”run it back,” as he said on social media Thursday night in announcing his return to the Hoosiers.
“I trust Coach Woodson and his plan for me to develop into the best player I can be to take my game to another level,” Thompson said Thursday night.
The 6-foot-8 Thompson was a team captain a year ago, and had his best season as a Hoosier. He averaged a career-high 11.1 points per game and 7.5 rebounds, also a career best. He also became a bit more of a perimeter threat, making 15 three-pointers after making only six total in his previous three years.
Thompson started and played in all 35 games last year, playing up front with close friend Trayce Jackson-Davis. They’ve played together three years now, and there was some concern about what both of them would do this offseason. Thompson is the first domain to fail.
Jackson-Davis, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, declared for the NBA Draft last week, but he did not hire an agent and is keeping his college eligibility options open. Only first-round picks get guaranteed contracts, and he isn’t a first-round pick in any of the most popular mock drafts. He’s a second-round pick in some, but many others don’t have him getting drafted at all.
Thompson and Jackson-Davis are roommates and best of friends. Thompson’s return in good news for Indiana fans hoping that Jackson-Davis will return as well.
Indiana forward Race Thompson (25) and Indiana forward Miller Kopp (12) box out Purdue forward Mason Gillis (0) during the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game, Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette.
Indiana’s Race Thompson (25) fights the emotions during his address during senior night activities after the Indiana versus Rutgers men’s basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 1, 2022.
Indiana’s Race Thompson (25) hugs Tracye Jackson-Davis (23) after his address during senior night activities after the Indiana versus Rutgers men’s basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 1, 2022.
Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Eli Brooks (55) dribbles the ball while Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan forward Brandon Johns Jr. rebounds against Indiana forwards Race Thompson during the first half of the Big Ten tournament game on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Indianapolis.
Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) moves to shoot the ball while Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) catches the ball while Illinois Fighting Illini guard Luke Goode (10) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) shoots the ball over Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) shoots the ball while Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) and center Kofi Cockburn (21) defend in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) rebounds the ball while Iowa Hawkeyes forward Filip Rebraca (0) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2022; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) guard Xavier Johnson (0) forward Race Thompson (25) speak with the media during practice the day before the start of the First Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2022; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) shoots the ball during practice the day before the start of the First Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2022; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) goes to the basket during practice the day before the start of the First Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2022; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) shoots the ball during practice the day before the start of the First Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2022; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) looks to move the ball in the first half against the Wyoming Cowboys during the First Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2022; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) dunks the ball in the first half against the Wyoming Cowboys during the First Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2022; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) shoots the ball over Wyoming Cowboys forward Jeremiah Oden (25) in the second half during the First Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana’s Race Thompson (25) grabs a rebound during the Indiana versus Wyoming NCAA First Four tournament game at University of Dayton Arena on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
Mar 15, 2022; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Miller Kopp (12) celebrates with Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) after defeating Wyoming Cowboys during the First Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2022; Portland, OR, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Race Thompson (25) is defended by Saint Mary’s Gaels forward Kyle Bowen (14) and forward Matthias Tass (11) during the first half during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Thompson reclassified to enroll early at Indiana, and redshirted his first year. He played in only nine games in 2018-19, but then played in 29 games the following year. He started all 27 games in 2020-21, and averaged 9.2 points per game. But the Hoosiers went just 12-15 that year and Archie Miller was fired.
Mike Woodson, a former Indiana great player from 1976-80, was hired as the head coach and talked Thompson into staying, vowing to expand his game. It all paid off, as Thompson was an honorable mention in the all-Big Ten selection by the media.
Thompson went through Senior Night ceremonies in early March, but left the door open for a return. The Hoosiers won two games in the Big Ten Tournament and earned an invitation to the NCAA Tournament, their first in six years.
Indiana beat Wyoming, but then lost to Saint Mary’s in Portland, Ore.
- TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS DECLARES FOR NBA DRAFT: Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is entering the 2022 NBA Draft so he can work out for NBA teams and get some feedback. He has until June 1 to withdraw, because he is not signing with an agent and could still return to college. CLICK HERE
- BEHIND INDIANA’S NIL DEALS: Fourteen Hoosier student athletes were tapped to represent Hoosiers For Good, a new non-profit organization that partners student athletes with charitable organizations across Indiana as part of an NIL deal. Hoosiers For Good executive director Tyler Harris explains how the organization chose these future community leaders to spread awareness for their respective charities. CLICK HERE
- CHEERLEADERS MAKE ‘ONE SHINING MOMENT’: Another college basketball season is in the books, and congratulations to Kansas for its national title. The annual ”One Shining Moment” video is a classic, and it also features that great rescue move by Indiana cheerleaders Cassidy Cerny and Nathan Paris when a ball got stuck above the backboard. Here is the full ”One Shining Moment” video. CLICK HERE
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