Future KU guard Bryce Thompson scores 27 points at holiday hoops event in Dallas
Bryce Thompson, an elite combo guard out of Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington High School who signed a national letter-of-intent with Kansas on Nov. 12, had a stellar game Saturday at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest at American Airlines Arena in Dallas.
The 6-foot-5, 175-pound Thompson scored 27 points in the Hornets’ 79-72 loss to Christian Brothers College of St. Louis.
“I know people say this all the time, but it’s true … it’s really a weight lifted off of your shoulders,” Thompson told USAToday.com, referring to the aftermath of committing to a college. He chose KU over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and North Carolina.
“Just in practice and training I feel so much more relaxed and calmer,” added Thompson, Rivals.com’s No. 19-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2020..
He averaged 25.3 points a game last summer on the Under Armour Association Circuit while playing for Oklahoma Run PWP.
“I just proved to myself what I could do on one of the biggest stages against some of the best players,” Thompson told USA Today. “I just hold myself with a higher standard when it comes to scoring.”
Just a few hours after returning from Hawaii where KU won the 2019 Maui Invitational, Jayhawk coach Bill Self flew to Dallas to watch Thompson in action Saturday. In that game, future North Carolina guard Caleb Love scored 29 points for the winning CBC squad.
“Thompson didn’t take a backseat to anybody,” stated Brian Snow of 247sports.com. “Thompson was scorching to start the game and ultimately finished with 27 points — 17 of those points came at the very beginning when he hit his first four shots from distance.
“Thompson isn’t as big or as athletic as Love, but he is someone who knows how to play, can really create shots, and also is very good when he gets a clean look. His ability to simply put the ball in the basket from all angles and all spots on the floor can’t be understated. With future head coach Bill Self looking on, Thompson shined, and showed that he will be a major instant impact contributor in Lawrence from day one,” Snow added.
Bossi of Rivals.com called Thompson one of the best players at the Hoopfest.
“What’s so good about Thompson is that he continues to get stronger, more confident off the dribble and play a skill based game and he is most likely going to be around for at least a few years. He’ll bring outside shooting and can help as an additional ball handler an playmaker,” Bossi wrote in an article at Rivals.com.
Thompson said he will report to Lawrence next summer ready for contribute.
“College is the next level for me so preparing for a higher level only helps me in high school. I have big goals and I want to be as prepared as possible for next year,” Thompson said to USA Today’s Jason Jordan. “I’m continuing to work on my ball handling and my jumping and my body, just anything that will put me in a better position to help Kansas, I’m in.”
Bossi, by the way, has called Thompson “a deserving candidate for the McDonald’s All-America game.”
Rosters will be announced this winter.
Thor has Kansas on his list
J.T. Thor, a 6-10, 195-pound senior forward from Norcross (Georgia) High School, who is ranked No. 54 in the recruiting Class of 2020 according to Rivals.com, did not sign with a school during the November signing period.
He told Rivals.com he’s interested in KU, Georgia, Oklahoma State and Kentucky. Rivals.com indicates OSU is the favorite.
“I am trying to make my process go slow and I feel like it is one of the hardest decisions of my life so I am trying to take it slow right now,” Thor said in an interview with Rivals.com. “I am talking to a couple of schools.”
Morris considering KU
KU is recruiting Arterio Morris, a 6-4 sophomore shooting guard from Kimball High School in Dallas, Rivals.com reports.
Morris — he is unranked at this early date — is being recruited by KU, Houston, SMU, Texas Tech and many others.
“He’s an instinctual player who looks to get downhill and force the action as often as possible and as he gets more consistent with his jumper and decisions he’s going to really take off. Guys who apply pressure like he does on both ends of the floor aren’t easy to come by,” wrote Eric Bossi of Rivals.com.
KU has another Texan on its radar in Bryce Griggs, a 6-2 sophomore shooting guard from Fort Bend’s Hightower High. He is ranked No. 43 in the recruiting Class of 2020 by Rivals.com.
Jayhawks pursuing Brown
KU is recruiting Kendall Brown, a 6-7 junior forward from Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. He’s ranked No, 17 in the recruiting Class of 2021 by Rivals.com.
“Brown is a big time athlete, causes problems with his 6-7 size and long arms and is just as good defensively as he is as a slasher and transition finisher,” Bossi wrote. “Bottom line he’s making positive strides after moving from Minnesota and showed why programs like Arkansas, Baylor, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Marquette, Maryland, Nebraska, Texas A&M and Wake Forest among others are recruiting him.”
Dotson player of week
KU sophomore Devon Dotson on Monday was chosen Big 12 player of the week, the conference office announced. Dotson averaged 21.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and had 13 assists and eight steals in KU victories over Chaminade, BYU and Dayton. The Charlotte, North Carolina native had career highs in points (31) and steals (5) in a 90-84 overtime win against Dayton in the Maui title game while playing 45 minutes. Dotson leads the Big 12 in scoring at 19.7 points per game.
