The Development of Trevor Thompson

Feb 18, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Trevor Thompson (32) and forward Joey Van Zegeren (2) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Thompson started off the season for the Virginia Tech Hokies as a guy who seemed like a potential candidate to be redshirted but James Johnson saw a lot of potential in him and now Thompson is developing into more than anyone expected this season. Thompson has gone from a guy that was struggling to get crack the rotation for Virginia Tech at the beginning of the season but Thompson is now a regular starter for the Hokies over more experienced big men including C.J. Barksdale and Cadarian Raines.

Early on in the season, Trevor Thompson got off to a good start with 22 points and 16 rebounds combined in the Hokies’ first two wins over West Virginia and Western Carolina after not playing in the loss to USC Upstate. Thompson seemed to have the potential to take a starting on early on in the season but then it seemed like Thompson should have been redshirted by Virginia Tech. After having 22 points in his first two games, Thompson only had 23 points in the remaining 10 games of 2013. However, 8 of those points came against Maryland-Eastern Shore on New Year’s Eve to show that 2014 had the potential to be better for Thompson.

Trevor Thompson started off solidly in 2014 with solid appearances off the bench for the Hokies with 8 points and 7 rebounds in their first two games of 2014 against Syracuse and Boston College. Thompson then would go dormant for the next few games and once again started to look like a player that really should have been redshirted to preserve a year of eligibility. However, Thompson turned it around with one great game that has helped him become a regular starter for the Hokies.

Trevor Thompson only played 18 minutes against Wake Forest but Thompson had 10 points and 12 rebounds in what was the best performance of his freshman season so far based on the quality of play and quality of opponent. Thompson would slowly but steadily start to gain more minutes with multiple strong performances recently including his 8 points and 12 rebounds against Miami, and his 9 points and 9 rebounds today against NC State.

Thompson has become a dynamic big man that could do a lot of things fairly well and is going to be a big part of the future in the frontcourt for the Hokies. Thompson is a very good athlete and that has shown in his ability to attack the basket and get some big blocks for the Hokies. Thompson has become a solid rebounder but he could use a little more consistency over the next few weeks. Thompson has shown some ability to make some mid-range shots and pull defenders somewhat out of the post. The biggest thing Thompson still needs to do is bulk up some to become a more physical big man. Thompson has a huge ceiling still and is going to be a big time player for the Hokies for a few years.