Dijon Thompson

10/11/00: "It's now official for 6'7 Dijon Thompson from Redondo Beach (Redondo Union) CA. As predicted earlier today, he picked UCLA over Arizona and, as a result, UCLA's recruiting class moves into the #1 spot nationally on our list of the Top 20 Recruiting Classes" - HoopScoop

9/9: "he told us that he's now down to three schools. The three finalists are UCLA, Arizona and UConn. Thompson had previously been considering USC, but the Trojan staff called him recently to say that they have filled their 4 scholarships. Dijon has in-home visits scheduled next week with each of the schools on his list. He has taken several unofficial trips to UCLA. When we asked if he would be taking official trips to Arizona and UConn, Dijon said, "I'll definitely take one to Arizona. I'm not sure yet about UConn." - Pacwest Hoops

8/21: "tells Pac-West Hoops that he's narrowed his list to four schools. The four schools still under consideration are UCLA, USC, UConn and Arizona. Thompson says he has in-home visits scheduled with UConn (9-10) and Arizona (9-13). He said that he's already spoken with the staffs of USC and UCLA several times, along with taking unofficial visits to each campus. He has an official visit scheduled with Arizona for Sept. 15th. Thompson declined to name a leader, saying that all four schools are pretty much even at this point. He says he will definitely sign in the fall." - PacWest Hoops

8/4: "After careful reflection, I'd pick Dijon as the best player at (the Elite 8 tourney). In fact, right now I'd say Dijon is the best "wing" (2 guard or 3 forward) in the west. Coaches from Arizona, North Carolina and UCLA made themselves highly visible at all of Dijon's games. The Kentucky coaches were at the tourney and might be recruiting Dijon, I just don't know. While playing on a team which lacked height and J shooters, Dijon was the special focus of defenses all weekend and often found himself against double-teams and box and ones. Against finalists Slam N Jam I, Dijon got checked for about 5-6 minutes; in the other 20 minutes he played he got 24 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals (these are my stats, not the official stats, which I distrust, as they were kept by 6 different people depending on what game was being played). The game before, Dijon got 23 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. At 6-7, he has the ball knowledge and handle of a point guard, he can see over defenses, he can penetrate easily or just bomb in the NBA range 3. Josh Childress might be the better shooter, but Dijon does everything else better and is a terrific shooter in his own right. Dijon's improvement over the last 2 years bears an uncanny resemblance to that of Paul Pierce and the two players are very similar in their styles (I assume Kansas is also recruiting Dijon); so far, Dijon has played more of a supporting role on his h.s. team, but this year he should really stand out and shine. A great player. Period. With great grades. Despite all of the "national" attention, USC cannot be counted out of the hunt for Dijon. Most people I talked to seemed to think Dijon will wind up at UCLA." - PacWest Hoops

8/2: "Thompson's AAU coach told Clint Jackson that the UNC staff has been in attendance to watch all of Thompson's games the past two weeks" - UNCbasketball.com

8/1: "the UNC staff was scheduled to (make an) appearance this past weekend to watch Thompson at the Elite Eight X2 Tournament on the Cal campus. Prep Stars writes of Thompson's performance - "He sparkled again for Belmont Shore in a tough loss versus Slam N Jam. Thompson finished with a game-high 24 points, using slashing moves to the basket and nailing several picture-perfect three-point jumpers. Recently, North Carolina and Georgia have entered the picture for Dijon. The Tar Heels and Bulldogs have ground to make up to catch leaders UCLA, Southern Cal, Arizona and Michigan." - PrepStars & UNCBasketball.com

7/26: "a 6'6 SG-WF from Redondo Union High is getting an abundance of interest from UCLA, USC, Arizona, UConn, Syracuse and North Carolina. Thompson can play all three perimeter positions for his high school team and is making a splash this summer for his steady play, good ball-handling, court vision and accurate three point stroke. Thompson is emerging as a possible candidate for the HMH All-American Team that will be announced in August." - High Major Hoops

7/18: "Dijon Thompson, 6-6 SR SG, Redondo Beach (Calif.) Redondo Union, said he has five main schools he's currently considering: USC, UCLA, Arizona, Connecticut and Kansas. Arizona, he said, is a recent addition since they've been showing him quite a bit of interest as of late. He said he has no current leader. When asked if he'd like to play with anyone in college, though, he did say that he'd enjoy playing with sometime-AAU teammates, Errick and Derrick Craven. (The Cravens have already verballed to UCLA) "It'd be fun to play with them. We play really well together," he said. Thompson said that the most impressive player he's faced this year was Kelvin Torbert, the 6-3 SR SG from Flint (Mich.) Northwestern." - PacWest Hoops

7/17: "Arizona's Lute Olson was in the house for a game involving CA WF/WG Dijon Thompson. UCLA's Steve Lavin was also in attendance." - Rivals100hoops

7/11: listed as the Best SF at the Nike Camp, ahead of Jawad (#3)and Jordan Cornette from St Xavier. "Legit 3 pt shooter" - Fastbreak

7/5: two of Dijon's AAU teamamates, the Craven's twins, just verballed to Univ of SoCal. - Mike Ryan

6/11: "Will be playing in the 3rd Annual South OC Roundball Extravaganza in late June 2000." - SocalHoops

6/9: "When we put Dijon Thompson into our top 30 Junior Rankings early in the Spring, we caught a little heat. But Thompson's stock has been rising and now is considered a top 20 prospect by some. The athletic 6'6" wing forward from Redondo Beach, CA has long arms, terrific body control and as we mentioned he's a terrific athlete. He's also an improving outside shooter who can also put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket. Thompson told us his current list of schools includes UCLA, Syracuse, Kansas, Kentucky USC and Connecticut. He told us that he's always had a strong interest in Syracuse "I've liked them {Syracuse} for a while. They get a lot of players from here {Southern California} and they all seem to do well at Cuse." said Thompson who currently ranks 30th in our Junior rankings. Thompson has already taken an unofficial visit to UCLA and says that the Bruins are very high on his list "I like UCLA a lot, my mom wants me to go their." Thompson said while UCLA is high on his list, they are not his leader. As a matter of fact we got the impression that Syracuse was his favorite school but we still think UCLA will be very tough to beat for Dijon's services. - The Recruiting Beat

5/00: One of only 13 players classified as 'High Major Prospects' (along wtih Curry, Torbert, JaQuan hart, others) for the Spiece Run 'n Slam All Star Classic - Mr Hoops (Indiana)

5/23: "Dijon Thompson, a 6-7 swingman at Redondo and one of the 10 best juniors in California, is being recruited by Henry Bibby (USC), his UCLA counterpart Steve Lavin, John Calipari (Memphis), assistants Max Good (UNLV) and John Welch (Fresno State) and Jim Nielsen (the coach at Redondo Union High). All these coaches were speakers at the Redondo/Fullcourt Press coaches clinic Sunday in Redondo Beach. Thompson spent a couple of hours Saturday touring the UCLA campus with his mother. - Burlison, OC Register

5/3: "Illinois Select had nipped the winner of the fifth (and final) pool, Belmont Shore Basketball Club from California, 60-58 in the quarterfinals. Belmont Shore's chances were hurt a great deal when star 6-6 junior swingman Dijon Thompson of Redondo Beach (Calif.) Redondo Union went home after the opening night in order to attend his senior prom." - Brick O.

4/29/00: "Also impressing us were 6'6 Jr Dijon Thompson from Redondo Beach (Redondo Union) CA, who can is versatile enough to play all three perimeter positions..." - HoopScoop (2000 Show-Me Shootout notes)

3/27: Selected second team, all Conference in Div 2AA as a junior.

3/19: "Dijon was by far the best talent on the floor today. At 6-6 he ran the point for most of the 2nd half and has guard like skills. He reminds me a lot of Gilbert Arenas (of Arizona), but a better ballhandler. He likes to slash to the basket off the dribble and showed today he can get by his defender off the dribble whenever he feels like it. He did most of his damage in the paint, either on lay-ups or short jumpers. He only took 1 three point shot,which he hit, so I can't really comment on his range. He also had probably close to 10 steals. He was always around the ball and has really quick hands. If he keeps playing this summer like he did today he will have some big-time offers. I like him better than Josh Childress at this point in their respected careers. Josh has a sweet jumper, but Dijon can do so many things for you on either side of the floor. Someone who I really want to get some more looks at as the summer and spring goes on." - USCHoops (Rockfish Spring League notes)

Spring 2000: "Best 2 guard in California." - Full Court Press

12/27/99: Named the 63rd best player in the country by Full Court Press magazine

Has visited Southern Cal, unofficially.