Tristan Thompson, one of the top-rated junior basketball prospects in the country who has committed to play for Texas, has been dismissed from the St. Benedict's Prep team for insubordination, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.
Thompson is expected to finish the academic year at the Newark, N.J., school and might play a senior season elsewhere.
"He's been dismissed from the team for conduct detrimental to the team," coach Danny Hurley told The Star-Ledger, adding his opinion that outside influences hurt Thompson.
"He's an intelligent, talented, personable young man who's an honors student who, in my opinion, is being influenced negatively by the grassroots forces in basketball in the United States," Hurley, brother of former Duke star Bobby Hurley, said.
Read into that Hurley, who is known for having a heavy coaching hand and whose previously undefeated team recently lost two consecutive games, thinks Thompson listens too much to his AAU coach.
But don't read anything too much into Thompson's dismissal. Thompson is not regarded as a problem kid and this isn't expected to influence his long-time commitment to Texas, nor that of St. Benedict's sophomore point guard Myck Kabongo, who soon may be even higher rated.
But don't read anything too much into Thompson's dismissal. Thompson is not regarded as a problem kid and this isn't expected to influence his long-time commitment to Texas, nor that of St. Benedict's sophomore point guard Myck Kabongo, who soon may be even higher rated.
Thompson, a 6-9, 215-pound forward, averaged 19.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game this season. He is a consensus Top Five recruit.
--Mike Jones
--Mike Jones
Comments