- 2010-2011 Season Highlights
Personal Statement
My name is Ralph James (RJ) Thompson III. I am a 6'3, 190 pound point guard who is currently attending Northern State University at the University Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I graduated in 2009 from Britton-Hecla High School in Britton, South Dakota. My high school basketball accomplishments include four years of varsity experience, two years of starting experience, two years team captain, and second team all-conference my senior year. The summer before my senior year I played on a traveling team known as "Native Sons", and competed in tournaments over the summer in various places including Wahpeton, North Dakota and Rockford, Illinois. During my senior year I was recruited by Presentation College and the University of Sioux Falls. I instead decided to attend Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, where I walked on to the men's basketball team. Although excited for the opportunity to play, I was overwhelmed with everything that goes along with being a freshman in college and I ended up quitting the program at the very beginning of the season, thinking college basketball was not for me. This was a tough time for me. I was discouraged and thought my basketball career was over. I then moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where I began taking general classes in hoping to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. My whole purpose of attending this university was to figure out my future. However, after taking classes this year and much self-searching, I realized that I was in the prime position to take my future anywhere I would have liked. People always say you should pick a career that makes you happy, and when I sat down to think about it, my most memorable times in life were on a basketball court or in the locker room with my team. There's not a better feeling than being the motivator of a team, and working together for one goal. That is when I realized I wanted to go to school to be a teacher and basketball coach. Since that time, I have made up my mind that I really was destined to play at the college level, and wanted to give it another try. Even though I passed up a great opportunity at Lindenwood University, I believe the entire experience has been good for me. I have learned from my mistakes. I now have more motivation than I ever have had in my life. I have been working out and in the best shape of my life. As a true point guard, this is what I can offer any team regardless of the situation. I was a two-year captain and can provide leadership to any basketball team. As a point guard I believe it is my responsibility to be a leader on and off the floor. I am a team player who does not worry about how many points I score, rather if I can help my team succeed. I also have a very diverse background, which I believe works to my advantage. My mother is from a small town in South Dakota, while my father is from inner-city St. Louis, Missouri. This diverse background helps me relate to all different types of people and environments. As far as location of a school, I am willing to expand my horizons outside of the Midwest. I am very interested in the west coast. As far as what type of school I am interested in, I would say a bigger school is more to my liking but not a necessity. Really, the most important factor for me is competitiveness. I am not looking for a school that "needs" a point guard. I am looking for a school that regardless of age/and or experience everyone has a chance to compete. I not focused on if there is an opportunity to play early at a school but rather if the coach and team is all about winning. I believe that all I need is one opportunity from one team and I will let my competitiveness and hard work do the rest. I am willing to play at any level of college basketball. No matter what the level, from day one my goal will be to be the team's starting point guard, and do whatever is necessary to win a championship. Please consider me as a prospect for your basketball team.
