Thompson to Redshirt

[Da Coach]

Bayo was pretty good as a junior, too. He helped Bradley get to the NIT that year (1997) when Anthony Parker was limited with the foot fracture.
But he was great his senior year. And if he hadn't redshirted, he would have never had that final year when he was 1st team All-MVC and Defensive POY in the Valley. It got him a pro job for a number of years, which I doubt he would have been capable of if he had left after the 1997 season.

[Beninator]

He may have alot of potential but lets not foget how good Bayo was. Consider also how many more points he may have scored in our current system. If AT averages 9 points and 8 rebounds per game and is the defensive player of the year in his senior season can you imagine how good are team will be? I remember when Bayo shut down Robert "Fat Tractor' Traylor and helped us beat Michigan.
Adebayo Akinkunle
1994-98
Chicago native scored 1,033 points in 116 games (8.9 ppg). ... 6-8 forward-center named MVC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior when he was also selected first-team all-MVC and team MVP. ... Was the Braves??™ team captain as a senior. ... Finished second in school history in blocked shots with 154. ... Named to MVC Most Improved Team and all-Defense Team as a junior. ... Grabbed 561 rebounds (4.8 rpg) for his career, leading BU as a junior (6.0) and senior (8.2).

Bayo was a good player for us no doubt and I am not trying to diminish what Bayo did here. I am just basing my statement on my belief that Thompson is a more talented player right from the start... As for current vs past systems, I will respectfully not comment about that comparison.