Thompson ready to soar

 David Steutel photo

Brandon Thompson certainly fits the mold of today's player -- powerful, sleek, athletic and able to play multiple roles on the floor.

Entering his junior season at Christian Brothers High in Sacramento with a year as a basketball starter behind him, the 6-foot-4 Thompson is looking forward to a breakout season and leading his Falcon teammates to greater success.

He finished up in November playing football as a wide receiver and safety and time participating in track will come in the spring. For the present, it's all roundball.

Asked to name his best skills, Thompson offered "attacking the hoop and my improved mid-range jumpshot." Conversely, what he's working on is "getting stronger with my left hand."

As for a sport preference, he said, "I enjoy the sport I am playing at the time but I've been playing basketball since I was three or four years old."

Thompson believes basketball will be his college sport and early feedback indicates he'll be positioned at the two and three spots.

Also an original Team Sage member for Coach Wornel Simpson, Thompson impressed with his play this past spring and summer. Columbia recently initiated contact.

Here's Simpson: "Brandon is obviously intelligent and a hard worker.  He's also very personable, well-spoken and any university would be well-represented not only by his athletic talent on the field, but by the way he conducts himself as a professional off the court. Brandon's ability to blend in to any team concept, play multiple positions and tirelessly work toward improving and winning has endeared him to his teammates. He is a quick study with a calm demeanor and is a coach's dream."

Despite his playing three varsity sports in high school, Thompson maintains a 3.5 grade point average and wants to major in kinesiology.

"I see myself working as a trainer for a high school, college or pro team."

His best moment on the court to date? "Probably dunking the first time. It was a scrimmage game at school and I came in on the basket so I thought I might as well dunk it."

Thompson cited many as basketball influences but first and foremost, he's all in as a LeBron man. Something about powerful and athletic.