Rider Basketball

After committing to Arkansas last week, St. John's transfer Nurideen Lindsey changed his mind and decided to transfer to Rider University, according to a tweet by Jon Rothstein.

Lindsey's tweet from last Friday read, "I decided to further my basketball and college career at the University Of Arkansas." But multiple sources have confirmed that he will enroll at Rider on Monday, January 23.

A native of Philadelphia, Lindsey will get to play close to home in Lawrenceville, NJ, just a few minutes from the border with Pennsylvania.

The highly touted recruit played his freshman season at Redlands Community College in Oklahoma.

This season, he averaged 11.8 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game and 2.9 assists per game in nine games with the Red Storm. That included a near triple-double against UMBC (15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists).

With a waiver from the NCAA, he will be eligible for two full years with the Broncs.

The addition of Lindsey could be a lifesaver for Rider coach Tommy Dempsey, who might end up on the hot seat due to Rider's mediocre 6-13 record. The Broncs, who are set to return three starters, could once again compete for the MAAC crown with Lindsey at the point.

Junior Jonathon Thompson has been a solid replacement for Justin Robinson as the point guard, with 4.6 assists per game. But at 6'4" and with his three-point shooting ability, he could be much more valuable as a shooting guard, and could back up Lindsey as the second-string point guard.

If Lindsey gets that waiver, Rider basketball could once again be a dominant program in the MAAC next season.

Ryan Thompson of Rider came into this season with high expectations for himself and for his team.  After his junior year, he had a list of awards to his name: First Team All-MET, First Team All-MAAC, NABC First Team All-District 1, Mid-Major All-American by collegeinsider.com, MAAC All-Tournament team, and was the Preseason Player of the Year in the MAAC.  People were curious what the 6-6 wing would do for an encore.  He started his senior season off with a bang. 

"The highlight of my college career was beating Mississippi State this year in our opener," Thompson told us via an e-mail interview.  In that game, Ryan played 39 minutes and had 16 points including 2 key three pointers in the second half when Mississippi State was trying to make a run.  Despite some inconsistency this season, Thompson didn’t disappoint the Rider fans, averaging 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists as a senior and being named again to the All-MAAC First Team.  Now that his career at Rider has finished, he has his eye on the NBA.

Thompson brings a lot to the table as a draft prospect.  There has been a lot of hard work that has gone into his game, including taking part in the LeBron James and Paul Pierce skills academies where he went up against some great players.

"It was a great experience having the chance to go up against the top guys, I got to play against Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Christopher, Manny Harris, and a bunch of other great players," he said of his time at the academies.  Going into his junior year, the Broncs had him play more point guard, but against certain lineups, he would still be playing off the ball.  Thompson believes he can do either at the next level and has heard teams feel he can too.

"The feedback I have been getting is that I would have to play the point or a combo guard," he said. "I think I would be able to play either of those positions."

Knowing that he’ll have to play both guard positions at the next level Ryan is focused on getting better.  He says he is currently working out with a trainer in New York, and his college coach at school.  While training, he’ll no doubt work on all his fundamentals, but when asked what he brought to the table for an NBA team he mentioned things that can’t be taught, like length and athleticism.

"I am a tall guard that can play the point and shoot the ball well," he said. He compares his game to Courtney Lee, which is a great comparison.  Both have good size and play the combo guard and came from lesser known schools.

Ryan is still going through the agent selection process and says he wants an agent that "can help [him] out to get where [he] wants to be and have a great relationship with." One advantage he has in selecting an agent, and the entire pre-draft process, is that his older brother Jason Thompson of the Sacramento Kings went through it just two years ago.

"He has given me a lot of insight and advice but [told me] mainly to not try and do too much and just play my game and show everyone what I can do to help their team," he said. Ryan will have a great opportunity to put his game on display in front of NBA and international decision makers at Portsmouth which is something he seemed excited for.  If Ryan can impress at workouts and Portsmouth he may hear his name called, which is really all he wants.  "I just hope that everything works out and I get drafted and have my dream come true."

*If you've liked what you read please come to: The Rookie Wall

In the eyes of the college basketball world, a 14-point opening night upset of the No. 19 Mississippi State Bulldogs transformed the Rider Broncs into a team that could legitimately threaten Siena's pursuit of a MAAC three-peat. 

Five games later, the Broncs post a 3-3 record with embarrassing blowout losses at Virginia and No. 5 Kentucky, and, as a result, the win in Mississippi has been titled as a fluke by many.

It's very likely that Rider won't match up against another top 25 team this year—unless, of course, Siena cracks the poll or the Broncs upset the Saints in the MAAC tournament—so the Broncs might not earn a chance to prove doubters wrong. However, I'm not quitting on Rider and you shouldn't either.

Ryan Thompson is the most consummate player in the MAAC. He scores, he shoots for high percentages from all over the floor—his 43.8 percent field-goal percentage is a result of a 1-10 shooting night at Kentucky but will rise to its 2008-09 level—he distributes, and he rebounds. Capable of playing three positions, his versatility is a nightmare for opposing coaches. 

Although the graduation of sharp-shooting Harris Mansell detracts from Rider's perimeter game, the immense development of junior Mike Ringgold and sophomore Novar Gadson improve the Broncs' overall attack. Rider has a balanced inside game between Ringgold and Gadson, who can also play the perimeter and slash to the hoop. 

Justin Robinson hasn't been the best point guard, but he has averaged 12.2 points per game and has added to Rider's offensive potency. Ask Siena coach Fran McCaffery about the point guard from London, and he'll tell you about the offensive numbers he can post.

In comparison to Siena, Rider lacks depth. However, the Saints out-manned the Broncs last year but fell in a last-second thriller at Alumni Gymnasium.

The duo of Ringgold and Gadson could potentially lead the Broncs past Niagara, who lacks an inside presence. 

Rider is a tough team and, although the chances are slim because of conference competition, it has the pieces to bring a MAAC championship back to Lawrenceville, NJ. Don't let this early rough stretch make you sleep on the Broncs.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

Tonight, at 7 PM, the Rider Broncs will battle the Virginia Cavaliers in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

Rider caught the nation's attention when they upset Mississippi State, ranked 19th in the country, in the season opener for both teams. Although Mississippi State was without Renardo Sidney and John Riek, Rider still was able to control the rest of a good Mississippi State team for the whole game.

Rider then went on to defeat Lehigh by 16 points in their next game, leading them to a 2-0 start to their season.

The Virginia Cavaliers defeated Longwood by 13 in their season opener, and then lost at South Florida. They are 1-1 going into tonight's game.

Tonight, Rider will have the edge on Virginia. They have averaged 39 rebounds a game, out-rebounding their opponent by four rebounds a game. Virginia has averaged 30 rebounds a game, also out-rebounding their opponent by four.

Despite outrebounding their opponents by the same amount, Rider will have the edge in rebounding. They have more players who have the ability to grab a lot of boards.

Virginia has only one player averaging more than four rebounds a game, while Rider has three players with more than five.

Rider will put a lot of defensive pressure on Virginia. They have averaged over seven steals a game. Virginia does not have extraordinary ball control, and Rider will be able to get some early steals and score off the fast break before Virginia will figure out a way to get by the pressure.

Lastly, Rider's ability to score is simply better than Virginia's.

Rider has a 3% edge to field goal shooting.

The main shooting number is Rider's ability to score from beyond the arc. They are shooting an outstanding 57.8% from three point range. 

Lastly, Rider has a balanced scoring attack. They have four scorers averaging in double digits, with Novar Gadson leading the way with 20.5. Patrick Mansell and Jhamar Youngblood are also averaging 7.5 and 6.5 respectively.

Virginia will put up a good fight and stay close the whole way, but Rider's ability to score will allow them to stay in control the whole game and move to 3-0.

With two games to be played tomorrow, the MAAC has already exceeded expectations this weekend, posting a 6-3 record. Of the nine games, five are more signifcant than the rest.

1) Of course, Rider's 14-point upset of No. 19 Mississippi State is the most impressive. The Bulldogs might have been without Renardo Sidney and John Riek, but the odds of the Broncs exiting the Humphrey Coliseum as victors were still low.

With the win, coach Tommy Dempsey has people thinking that his blasphemous pick—he tabbed Rider over Siena as the No. 1 MAAC team—isn't so implausible.

Also, it looks like Ryan Thompson has an improved supporting cast this year—Mike Ringgold and Novar Gadson each dropped 21 points.

2) A loss is a loss and relinquishing a late seven-point lead is embarrassing. However, Niagara outmatched Auburn the entire game despite losing Tyrone Lewis to an injury in the first half.

Lacking a true big man, the Purple Eagles out-rebounded the Tigers, 38-37. They out-hustled the Tigers and out-shot them.

The loss doesn't bolster the Purple Eagles' resume, but they managed to keep the game close without Lewis. With their leading scorer and strongest defender in the game, Niagara would have flown back to New York 1-0.

3) Again, a loss is a loss. But, Saint Peter's was three seconds away from defeating a Seton Hall team that is supposed to advance a few rungs on the ladder of the Big East.

Unfortunately, Eugene Harvey connected on a prayer and the Peacocks, who were picked to finish sixth in the MAAC, could not pull off the upset.

Saint Peter's out-rebounded a bigger Seton Hall squad by six and showed that the MAAC will be a deep league this year.

4) One might say that Iona's victory over Boston University is meaningless. However, the Gaels were picked to finish ninth in the MAAC while the Terriers were the No. 1 selection in the America East.

Like the St. Peter's game, this win proves the depth of the MAAC—even the bottom of the conference can beat legitimate teams.

5) Marist's seven-point loss to Rutgers this afternoon had the same meaning as the St. Peter's effort and the Iona win.

Yes, Rutgers will finish near the bottom of the Big East once again, but, nonetheless, they are a Big East team and they have Mike Rosario. Marist was picked tenth in the MAAC—points for the league's depth.

Photo from gobroncs.com

This afternoon, Manhattan played its final home game of the 2008-09 season. The Jaspers hosted the Rider Broncs who, heading into the game, stood a game-and-a-half ahead of the Jaspers in third place of the MAAC. 

Because it was the final home game, the Jaspers honored seniors Devon Austin and Herve Banogle prior to the tip. 

Austin, the last Bobby Gonzalez recruit, played four seasons at Manhattan, but he is currently sidelined with a back injury. 

Banogle transferred to Manhattan after spending two seasons at a junior college. In his time in Riverdale, Banogle has matured from a fouling and traveling machine into a potential threat down low, though he still travels...a lot. 

After the seniors were honored, the game began. The teams exchanged leads throughout the first half and Manhattan led 35-29 at the break.

Patrick Bouli hit one of his three treys early in the second half to give the Jaspers their biggest lead, 40-31, but Rider climbed back and tied the score at 41. 

The Jaspers scored the next six points and appeared to be pulling away, but the Broncs came back again and took a 52-49 lead. The score remained close and Bouli broke a 68-68 tie with his third and final three-pointer of the game with 50 ticks left. 

Rider couldn't cash in on second, third, and fourth opportunities on the other end, and Darryl Crawford's two foul shots with four seconds left iced the game.

The Jaspers were victorious on senior day, 73-68. 

How Manhattan won:

1. Andrew Gabriel has to be commended for his strong play. He drew five of Rider's first six fouls and scored eight points, including a fast break throw-down that gave Manhattan a 45-41 lead and pumped up the crowd. 
2. The offense was more fluid. Jaspers were setting picks, moving around, and taking high-percentage shots—they shot 47 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent from deep. Ever since being routed by Iona in the Garden, the Jaspers have cut down on shooting three-pointers. Instead of taking treys every other time down the floor, the Jaspers only fire on open-looks.
3. Darryl Crawford scored 26 points on 7-for-14 field-goal shooting. Crawford was also 9-of-11 from the foul line and 3-of-3 from long range. 
4. Laurence Jolicoeur is playing with loads of confidence. After starting the season on the bench, Joli emerged for 10 points in a 19 point victory at Marist which started the Jaspers current hot streak. Manhattan has won four of its last five games and Joli has been in double-figures in each one. Today, he was five-for-seve from the floor and scored 11 points. 
5. Chris Smith came up big with 11 rebounds. The sophomore, whose brother was far from spectacular in last night's dunk contest, also scored six straight points on a Manhattan run that kept Rider close at hand in the second half.

Despite the departure of Jason Thompson, the MAAC has a load of talent. I found twenty players who have the potential to earn All-MAAC honors, and made an attempt to narrow the field down to fifteen. 

Every player on the First Team has a chance of winning MAAC Player of the Year, but Kenny Hasbrouck, Edwin Ubiles, and Ryan Thompson are the favorites. 

**Note that these are not the official All-MAAC teams, but they are based on my opinions.**

Preseason First Team All-MAAC

Kenny Hasbrouck (Siena Senior Guard) 

Always an offensive threat, Hasbrouck is also stellar on the defensive end. He led the league in steals last season with 2.26 per game. Hasbrouck's steals, 16.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, and 39 percent three point percentage were essential to Siena's success last year, and should be equally important this season. 

Edwin Ubiles (Siena Junior Guard-Forward)

Like Hasbrouck, Ubiles can get things done on both ends of the court. His 2007-08 17 ppg average is the best among returning players, and his field goal percentage of 53 percent ranks seventh.

The junior can score from up close, mid-range, and deep—he shot 42 percent from beyond the arc last season. Ubiles averaged 4.4 rpg and 1.2 steals per game. Although neither ranks him near the top of the MAAC, he has a proclivity of coming up with a big board or steal in the clutch. Ubiles also averaged 1 block per game. 

Tyrone Lewis (Niagara Junior Guard)

An impressive sophomore campaign landed Lewis on the First Team. Lewis didn't shoot for high percentages, but he averaged 16.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 2 apg. He was second, to Hasbrouck, in steals per game with two. Now the leader of the Niagara squad, Lewis will work with point guard Anthony Nelson to propel the offense. 

Ryan Thompson (Rider Junior Guard-Forward)

Brother of Jason Thompson, Ryan has assumed the role that his brother possessed last season. The younger Thompson ranks in the top 10 in all offensive categories, and appears on numerous top 10 defensive lists. He averaged 15 ppg, 6.2 rpg, and 3.4 apg.

He shot an astounding 53.7 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. Thompson’s 1.7 steals per game is fourth best among returning players. Standing at 6'6," Thompson is versatile. He runs the floor well, can shoot, drive, dish, board, and steal. 

Alex Franklin (Siena Junior Forward)

Yet another Saint named to the First Team, Franklin is a dominant force down low. He is only 6'5", but his 7.8 rpg in 2007-08 is the best among returning players. Franklin also averaged 15.1 ppg, 1.6 steals per game, and nearly a block per game. His field goal percentage of 53.8 percent is fourth among returning players.

Franklin's nine double-doubles played a big role in Siena's 2007-08 season, which concluded in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Preseason Second Team All-MAAC

Antoine Pearson (Manhattan Junior Guard)

Pearson is the Jaspers' Most Valuable Player. He led the team in scoring, assists, and minutes per game.  His averages of 12.2 ppg and 2.3 apg, along with his proven clutch play, land him on the Second Team. The junior’s free throw percentage dropped 75 percent, after he connected on 81 percent of his foul shots as a freshman, but he hit his free throws when they mattered most.

His clutch three-point shooting won close games for the Jaspers. After shooting 29 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, Pearson connected on 41 percent of his treys as a sophomore. Pearson is very valuable; and, if he looks to score more this year, he could find himself on the All-MAAC First Team. 

Jonathan Han (Fairfield Senior Guard)

For two years, Han has been the focus of opposing defenses. He is very quick, with and without the ball. Han's three-point percentage of 44.7 percent tied him for first in the MAAC with Rider's Harris Mansell.

The Brooklyn-native dealt a league-best 6.2 assists per game, and was among the top five thefts with 1.7 steals per contest. Han is very experienced as a point guard, and looks to lead the Stags to the top of the MAAC. 

Harris Mansell (Rider Senior Guard)

Mansell is as pure of a shooter as there is in the MAAC. He shared the best three-point percentage with Han, and hit 2.35 treys per game. He averaged 13.7 ppg in 2007-08, but will get more scoring opportunities because Jason Thompson is currently in the NBA. 

Gary Springer (Iona Senior Forward-Center)

A fierce force in the paint, Springer has always been aggressive. Last year, he was faced with leading an Iona team that only won two games in 2006-07. Springer scored 10.9 ppg, and grabbed 7.7 rpg last season. His one block per game placed him among the top 10 shot-blockers in the MAAC. As a senior, Springer intends to pilot the Gaels back to the NCAA Tournament. 

Marquis Sullivan (Loyola-Md Senior Guard) 

One of the only experienced players on a Loyola team that lost three of its top five scorers, Sullivan will be the go-to-guy in 2008-09. Just a few percentage points behind Han, Mansell, and Thompson, Sullivan is the fourth best three-point shooter in the MAAC. He connected on 43.7 percent of his three-point attempts.

His scoring average of 12.2 ppg can only go up without Gerald Brown, Michael Tuck, and Omari Isreal. Sullivan shot 45 percent from the field and 85 percent from the charity stripe. 

Preseason Third Team All-MAAC

Devon Austin (Manhattan Senior Guard-Forward) 

Austin did not live up to his expectations during his sophomore and junior seasons because he didn't feel confident with his offensive ability. The 6'6" senior has always been capable of averaging 16 or 17 points per game, but only averaged 11.6 ppg last season.

He is a skilled three-point shooter, and connected on 35 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Austin hit 79 percent of his foul shots, but needs to get to the charity stripe more often. 

Frank Turner (Canisius Junior Guard) 

Turner has next to no support, and will attempt to lead the Golden Griffins. The guard appeared to have potential as a freshman, when he shot 46 percent from the field and 40 percent from three, but his numbers precipitated during his sophomore season.

As a sophomore, he only connected on 26 percent of his threes and 40 percent of his field goals. Nonetheless, Turner is deserving of this honor. He dished out 4.6 assists per game, and picked up 1.4 steals per game. 

Benson Egemonye (Niagara Senior Center) 

Without Charron Fisher, Egemonye will need to be more aggressive on the glass. His 6.6 rebounds per game in 2007-08 is the fourth best among returning players, and his 1.5 blocks per game is second.

The Nigerian led the MAAC with a 62.6 percent from the field. Egemonye will have more scoring opportunities, as well as rebounding opportunities, and should have an impressive season for the Purple Eagles. 

David Devezin (Marist Junior Guard) 

During an offseason in which Marist lost all of its key players, Devezin was unofficially crowned as team leader. He averaged 9.7 ppg and 4.3 apg as a sophomore, but is now the team's icon. Although Marist does not appear to be too strong, Devezin is in for a big season. 

Wesley Jenkins (St. Peter's Guard)

As a freshman on an atrocious team, Jenkins averaged 13 ppg, and connected on 42 percent of his three-pointers. The young guard was also near the top of the MAAC in steals, as he averaged 1.5 per game. The future looks promising for Jenkins because he is still the Peacocks' main scorer. 

Preseason Honorable Mentions

Brett Harvey (Loyola-Md. Junior Guard)

Chris Smith (Manhattan Sophomore Guard)

Nick Leon (St. Peter's Sophomore Guard)

Anthony Nelson (Niagara Sophomore Guard)

Brian Rudolph (Loyola-Md. Sophomore Guard)

Tomas Vazquez-Simmons (Canisius Sophomore Forward)

Luis Flores, who played his college basketball at Manhattan College, was the last Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference player to play a regular season NBA game.

On March 1, 2005, Flores scored three points in four minutes of action in his final NBA game. The former Jasper played 15 games with the Golden State Warriors, but his last game was his first and final with the Denver Nuggets. 

After struggling to make it back into the NBA, Flores went overseas. Word had it that the guard, who led Manhattan past David Lee's Florida Gators and nearly past Chris Paul's Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the 2004 NCAA tournament, returned to the states to tryout for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Unfortunately, the Timberwolves did not have space for Flores on their preseason roster.

Had Flores chosen to try out for the New Orleans Hornets, he would have gone up against Jared Jordan for one of the final preseason spots. 

Jordan graduated from Marist College after leading the nation with 8.8 assists per game in the 2006-07 season, and was the 45th pick of the 2007 draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. Jordan wound up on the New York Knicks preseason roster, but got cut before the season started. 

After a year in Europe, Jordan is back in America. This time, he is playing for the Hornets preseason team. Unlike last year's Knicks, the Hornets only have one backup point guard on contract. Jordan is the only unsigned point guard on the Hornets preseason team.

Jordan's college numbers and style are most comparable to Jason Kidd's when he played for the New Jersey Nets in their glory days. He is very quick with the ball, and has great court vision. In his senior year, Jordan averaged 17.2 points and 5.9 boards per game to go along with his nation-leading assist average.

Obviously, he is not Kidd—otherwise, he would have been signed last year. However, the point guard, who led his Red Foxes to a regular-season MAAC title in his senior year, can certainly play at the NBA level. 

All Jordan has to do in the preseason is what he did best in college, sharing the ball with his teammates, and he will be signed by the Hornets. 

If the Hornets like what they see from Jordan, he will meet up with his Facebook friend, Jason Thompson, when the Hornets play the Sacramento Kings on November 19. 

Jordan and Thompson first opposed each other on December 3, 2004. Thompson, then a 6'8" freshman, hit a game-clinching free throw as his Rider University Broncs upended Jordan and the Red Foxes 76-75.

Not surprisingly, Jordan had a double-double with 10 points and 10 dimes.

Thompson scored nine and pulled down six boards. 

Thompson grew to a menacing 6'11" after his freshman year, and averaged 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in his sophomore year. 

Despite growing, Thompson continued to run the floor well as a big man, and kept his mid-range and occasional three-point shooting ability. 

In his junior year, Thompson averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest. Nevada star Nick Fazekas and 2007-08 Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant were the only other collegiate players to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. 

Thompson averaged 20.4 points and the nation's second best 12 rebounds per game last year, as he led his Broncs to a regular season MAAC title. Unfortunately for Thompson, Siena ousted the Broncs in the MAAC championship game. 

Although Thompson was disappointed about not reaching the NCAA tournament, he only had to wait three-and-a half months until he became the first lottery pick to come out of the MAAC since Rik Smits went second in the 1988 draft. 

Unlike Flores or Jordan, Thompson had the prerogative as a lottery pick to sign a contract after being drafted. Thompson is guaranteed to make $1,893,840 this season.

Brad Miller and Spencer Hawes are ahead of Thompson on the Kings depth chart, but the former Bronc should be able to surpass Hawes over time. 

It is unlikely that Thompson and Jordan will both start on November 19, let alone be in the game at the same time, but it will be the first time two MAAC players oppose one another in the NBA in a very long time. 

MAAC success at the professional level is extremely rare, so Thompson and Jordan will try to show America the talent that can come out of their collegiate conference. 

After seeing Jason Thompson live three times, and multiple times on T.V., I have conlcuded that he will not be like most other NBA prospects who have played in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Thompson is 6'11", can play down low with his back to the basket, rebound, handle the ball, run the floor, knock down jumpers, and even hit an occasional three pointer. He is truly an all around player.

When was the last time that the MAAC saw such a versatile 6'11" center?

The answer: never. 

Thompson's ability to handle the ball, and run the floor is comparable to the likes of Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley. Let's not go crazy, Durant played in the Big 12 and Beasley plays in the Big 12.

No. Let's go crazy.

Last year Jason Thompson was the only player, other than Durant, in the NCAA to score 20 points and grab 10 rebounds a game. This year Thompson outplayed Beasley when Rider met Kansas State in November. Thompson went for 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Beasley scored 13 points, grabbed 10 boards, and did not have a block. 

Sure Thompson has two inches on both Durant and Beasley, but Durant was the number two pick in the NBA draft. Beasley should be at least that. I am not making the case that Thompson should be the number one pick. I am saying that he should be getting more recognition, and that he will not wash out like other MAAC NBA draftees.

Most people who don't know the histories of MAAC schools would not recognize names like Steve Burtt, Mike Morrison, Larry Fogle, Luis Flores, and Jared Jordan.

The only NBA studs that have been produced by MAAC teams are Calvin Murphy (Niagara), Jeff Ruland (Iona), Richie Guerin (Iona), and Rik Smits (Marist).

All the washouts from the MAAC have been guards. Ruland and Smits were big men who put up similar numbers in college to those of Thompson. In his four years at Iona, Ruland averaged 20.8 points and 12 boards per game. Smits scored 18.2 points and pulled down 7.6 rebounds in four seasons at Marist.

In almost four years at Rider, Thompson is averaging 16.2 points and 9.1 rebounds. His worst season was his freshman season when he only averaged 9.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Don't forget, he was only 6'8" in the beginning of his career at Rider. Jason is averaging 18.9 points and 9.8 rebounds from his sophomore season until the present. 

Thompson will be valuable to an NBA team who needs a big man, and he will stick around the league for years due to his all around game. 

In thirty years, people will remember the name Jason Thompson.