Thompson to Redshirt

[Dubl R 1]

PJStar.com reporting Anthony Thompson will redshirt his freshman season.

[BradleyBrave]

Best news I heard all day. This guy is our most talented big already (I don't consider Egolf a true 'big'), and will be a star in this league when he matures physically. He will be worth the wait.

http://www.pjstar.com/php/index.php?/news/peoria_bradley_freshman_thompson_will_redshirt/

I especially liked AT's comments in the article. It seems like he 'gets it' as far as what's best for him AND the program in the long run. Kind of reminds me when Bayo was a freshman and needed the redshirt year. Both were so talented you knew that once they matured, they would be a force in the league. I think AT has a Bayo-like future for the Braves.

[Grassman]

This is Great news! Although he has looked better than I thought he would, the extra year will REALLY help this young man get Bigger-Stronger, and Faster!
Now let's hope the other Bigs learn how to play D, rotate, box out, and for Gods sake get aggressive. Go after the Ball, like its made of gold.

[BradleyBrave]

BUBraves.com article on Thompson -

http://www.bubraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=25965&SPID=1498&DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=1306155

Again, this is a great long-term decision for AT and the Bradley program.

[Big Mike]

WOW.....AT seems to see the big picture and as long as he is OK with red/shirting I'm all for it! I see AT as a big talent down the road for the Braves and surely want to keep him around.......this is good news!

[ser_solace]

Cool. With the glut that we have at the center position, I'm glad we will be able to take this year to develop him even more, adding some strength and weight and further improving his already fine basketball skills.

[bravesonly]

Maybe he can move into the weight room and out of those cramped dorm rooms next semester? This can be looked at as a huge signing for next year's incoming recruiting class as well, joining Roberts and McCain which is a pretty solid class to say the least. It really says a lot about the kid if he can truly understand all of this at such a young age. This team is in great shape in all aspects of basketball and life...GO BRAVES

[BUBraves2006]

I think this is a good move going forward, but my only hesitation is if we really do have enough inside or not. Austin has shown nothing, Egolf isn't really a guy who's gonna pound the boards and Singh never can stay healthy. Now of course, if Austin really ends up being as good as advertised and Sam does stay healthy, then we're in GREAT shape.

So I think this is a good move too, but I'm not completely convinced yet.

As for AT's attitude, that's awesome. We need more young men like that in the program!

[houstonbrave]

I think this is a great development for both AT and the braves. It takes a lot of maturity to take the long term view. I really don't think this will hurt us much this year. I agree we are a bit unproven on rebounding but I don't see AT helping us in this area this year. He is just too thin at this point. I really think he would have been pushed around in the Valley (as I have said before Falker would have shoved him into the third row).

I am convinced AT will be a GREAT player before he is done on the hilltop. We saw (actually you saw-I just heard Dave describe it) a tiny glimpse of what he could become against St. Ambrose.

[houstonbrave]

In the bubraves.com article they mention Sam Singh, Ruff, Danny Adams, and Heemskerk as recent players who redshirted. Have we erased Saihou Jassey from our memory ? Didn't he redshirt one year ?

[TheHeemyMonster]

I think this is a good move going forward, but my only hesitation is if we really do have enough inside or not. Austin has shown nothing, Egolf isn't really a guy who's gonna pound the boards and Singh never can stay healthy. Now of course, if Austin really ends up being as good as advertised and Sam does stay healthy, then we're in GREAT shape.

So I think this is a good move too, but I'm not completely convinced yet.

As for AT's attitude, that's awesome. We need more young men like that in the program!

i think its a great move considering I dont think AT can give the braves any more then the combination of Egolf Collins Austin Singh and of course Salley

[dogsrus]

I concur with everyone...good move and GREAT attitude by AT. He'll be better and so will BU for this no brainer.

[MacabreMob]

In the bubraves.com article they mention Sam Singh, Ruff, Danny Adams, and Heemskerk as recent players who redshirted. Have we erased Saihou Jassey from our memory ? Didn't he redshirt one year ?

He did, but I think the significant part of the quote from the online article is:

"... although a quartet of Bradley players recently have taken advantage of an additional year on the Hilltop."

I loved AT's postgame interview after the St Ambrose game.

I can't wait to see him over the next 4 yrs after this one along with the 2 new recruits already mentioned... and add to it 3 years with Egolf and Maniscalco.

It is building....

[thefish7]

Plus if there's an injury can't you just withdraw the redshirt and let him play?

[audacious_aficionado]

i really like this move because there's no way he'll get any playing time this year. we have a few big guys who will play in front of him. even if we can only really use three out of the four (salley, collins, singh, and austin) that's good enough in my opinion. i see a lot of potential in AT when he bulks up. he's got good hands and some definitive post moves. add on twenty more pounds and he's a starter.... add on thirty-forty more pounds and he's an all-conference player. i am sure his fifth year will be worth taking a seat this year. great move by JL and great attitude and patience by AT. i love it!