ibruce1 Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Michigan Eyeing Illinois C Bret Thompson By Andre Barthwell GoBlueWolverine.com Posted Dec 18, 2006 The Wolverines have identified yet another 2008 target from the state of Illinois. This time it's 6-11 big man Bret Thompson. GoBlueWolverine had the chance to speak with the young man about where his recruitment stands at this point, his favorite, and more. Michigan has begun to show you interest. How is that going? “Well it is early right now. I have had a chance to talk with assistant coach Mike Jackson and he came down to a game. Coach Jackson seems to be a nice gentleman. When we text each other he wants to know how my family is doing.†What would it take for you to become more interested in Michigan? “I need to be offered a scholarship. That would tell me that they believe in me and would know that I am an asset to them.†What other schools are recruiting you? “Purdue, Notre Dame, LSU, MSU, Southern Illinois, St. Louis Northwestern, and Bradley. St. Louis, LSU and Southern Illinois have offered scholarships.†Most of these teams are in the Midwest. How does LSU fit in? “I have family down there that I am close to in Baton Rouge so that is why I am interested in them.†Is distance a factor in you decision? “Yes it is. I am very close with my mom so I would like to be close where she could see me play.†Does it matter if you go to one of the bigger programs? “No, I am looking for a program that suits me and my needs. I don’t want to go to a big program if I am not going to be appreciated.†What type of program are you looking for? “Academics are very important. I would like to go to a school that has a good medical program and a good computer science program. Athletically I would like a coach that works with big guys and a team I can play in the post and on the perimeter with. I would prefer a team that utilizes their big men, not the run and gun… but something like the motion offense. I want the type of team that has a good family atmosphere and team chemistry.†Is there a player whose game you would compare yours to? “Dirk Nowitski. I can dish, shoot the three, drive and play on the perimeter. My stats for this year are 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks per game.†Do you have a leader at this time? “Yes. I would say St. Louis and Coach Brad Soderberg right now. I am impressed with the way he has recruited me. The way he is driven to come and recruit me. He has been very straightforward and honest with my recruitment. That is how I want to be recruited.†-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go Blue Wolverine also had the chance to see what Bret’s mom Cheryl had to say about recruiting. How has recruiting been going for your son? “It has been quite interesting… the caliber of schools that are recruiting my son. My heart feels very good for him he has been a gifted player since he was young. He has worked his butt off to get here and I am pleased with that.†What type of college are you looking at for your son to attend? “A school that will take care of him. I want him to go somewhere that the campus life is nice. I want a coach that will look after him. Someone where if he gets in trouble academically, they will be there to help him. I want to know how much do they look after there players. I am looking for a coach that is familiar with big guys. Is it the caliber of school with good academics that will help him get his degree? I just want what is the best for my son.†Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 I love it. Thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billikenfan05 Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Sounds good "I was on fire, I was hotter than a pistol" Jason McElwaine If theres no SLU basketball in heaven I'm not going!!!!!! Official Billikens.com Sponsor of Chris Sloan and Billiken Volleyball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorB Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 that is a very encouraging article, especially 2 hours before one of our biggest games in the past 2 or 3 years! thanks for posting it. I hope the negative posters will read it carefully, and see that this is obviously a smart, solid athlete with a strong family and academic background. His comments about our coach's honestly and recruiting style speaks volumes to me. I hope he decides to come here, because I believe we at SLU can provide all of those things. I think we have everything he is looking for. Everyday on my way to work, I see first the new medical science building (almost complete), then the new stadium! My gut tells me we will be getting some terrific new recruits real, real soon. How about a verbal, big guy?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SShoe Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 he sounds like he'd be a great fit for us and vice versa. if he's looking for a good med. program, then he could certainly do worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Also Receiving Votes Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 wow...great news! I hope we bag us a Wolverine! Just like Napoleon Dynamite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slufanskip Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 He sounds like he is a smart kid and has his priorities straight. It seems he would be a good fit. He compares his game to Dirk and us with a foriegn big man can't hurt. Official Billikens.com sponsor of H Waldman Official Sponser of the Stemmler and Ahearn could and would have helped club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billiken_roy Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 in case some of you have never been to the heart of the shawnee national forest in southern illinois where vienna illinois is located, this is not a hop skip and a jump to go watch brett play. second, isnt brett one of the five in the rumored meeting on campus with the four juniors and the one soph (griffey) that coach soderberg had in to tell them they could be difference makers if they came together? i am pretty sure he was one of the five. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tseugnekillib Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Bret played with the St. Louis Eagles along with Kramer, Brandenburg, Suggs, etc. He's carries good strength already. Nice player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorB Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Bump -- probably many folks missed this great story last night. Go Bills -- what a win! I think most folks in the building were like me -- we thought the tip-in would NOT count, until the refs called it otherwise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kappy96 Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Encouraging to say the least and I hope he's true to his word, but $20 says a Kelvin Sampson type swoops in and steals him at the last minute by promising he will be "appreciated" and get plenty of PT. Maybe I am soured by years of dissapointment and mediorcrity, but until I start to see us out-recruit big time schools CONSISTANTLY I am holding my breath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorB Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 hopefully you do not need to hold it much longer. If we get him as opposed to LSU, who also wants him, it is a major coup. has anyone seen this guy play? scouting reports?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3star_recruit Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 His game is remarkably similar to Ian's -- similar athleticism, inside-outside threat with solid post moves. I imagine Thompson has noticed the same thing himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 I don't know the recruiting rules very well so this question could be pretty dumb, but has anyone heard if there were any recruits at the game last night? or if any could possibly be at the UNC game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billiken_roy Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 earl commented november billiken club meeting on how much he likes thompson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 There were recuits at the game last night and there will be plenty in the house on Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Brett's game is similar to Ian's but he has better range than Ian and Ian is more athletic than Brett. SLU is the perfect situation for Brett. He would be relatively close to his family and he could get a great education. He fits into SLU's system perfectly, he is a smart post player who can run the team from the block. I honestly think SLU is most definitely the frontrunner for him and I think SLU has an excellent chance at getting an early verbal from him, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 "Ian is more athletic than Brett." That concerns me, even when i think of "kind-of" athletic, i don't think of Ian. I hope that he can improve his athleticism and his other abilities make up for the lack of athleticism (much like ian). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Thanks OJ. I hope they are treated to a good show, not an A&M stinker. Even an entertaining loss would leave a favorable impression i would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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