Trey Thompkins, Georgia put their best feet forward in SEC
There was nothing Auburn could do to stop Trey Thompkins (and his magic feet) in Georgia's SEC tournament opener. (Curtis Compton)
Should Trey Thompkins decide to hold a basketball camp one day, he will teach the youth of America all about his keys to success. The jump shot. The rebound. The pass. The drive. The pedicure.
The pedicure?
“He gets them a lot,” said Dustin Ware, his Georgia teammate. “I started noticing and I was like, ‘Trey, what’s up with your feet?’ Normally his toes are all shiny and stuff. He takes care of his feet.”
The problem is that for most of this season, Thompkins’ feet have not taken care of him. The junior was projected to be the SEC’s player of the year, but he has spent too many hours with his feet in ice buckets. He suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason. Then he was kicked in the shin.
Then came the ingrown toenail, the apparent result of a sudden lack of pampering. No kidding.
“I never had one of those before,” he said. “I think it came from not going to get pedicures any more. It might be a sign to start going again.”
Thompkins might be the first basketball player in history to reject a shoe deal in favor of something more in the open-toed variety.
Fortunately, his ankle, shin and tootsies appear to be back to full strength. When the Bulldogs opened play in the SEC tournament Thursday, we saw the Thompkins we expected this year. We saw a difference-maker. We saw the kind of player that can lift Georgia deep into this week’s SEC tournament and possibly make them a significant threat in the NCAA tournament.
Thompkins scored 22 points, sank three of five three-point attempts –he was 17-for-66 coming into the game — and pulled down 10 rebounds, a one-man Auburn-wrecking crew. He was allowed to rest his feet for the final six minutes of the Bulldogs’ 69-51 blowout at the Georgia Dome.
Both Thompkins and his team have struggled with consistency this season. But it’s noteworthy that the player says this is the healthiest he has felt all season, something coaching Mark Fox noticed in practice earlier this week.
“Tuesday was probably the first time in practice I thought, ‘Wow, he’s looking healthy,’” Fox said afterward. “I think he has some confidence because he felt better.”
Let’s start with the feet because, come on, how often do we get to talk about a basketball player and his pedicures?
“My mom always told me it might help the way I feel on the court,” Thompkins said. “It actually did. Then once I stopped, it hurt me.”
How long has he been getting them?
“Oh, years,” he said.
Does he get his toes painted too?
“No.”
Would you tell me if you did?
“No.”
Why did he stop?
“No clue. I kept putting it off. It turned into two months. Then that [ingrown nail] came.”
He had it surgically removed last week. He was questionable for the Alabama game last Saturday but played with extra padding in his shoe, scoring 15 points in a loss. But his magic toes were back against Auburn.
Ware said he had a pedicure once just to try it, but commented: “I’m just not a feet guy. I don’t like people touching my feet.”
I’ll try to remember that.
Seriously, if Thompkins continues to play like this, he can frost his hair and light candles and incense in the pregame. He has taken some criticism this season for his play. But a sore ankle, shin or toe is not conducive to moving or shooting great on a basketball court.
Ware again: “Just knowing him, he’s mad because even when he’s out there he can’t be him. When he’s playing as well as he did today, it’s big.”
The Dogs won in a blowout even though they shot only 41 percent. But they often had open shots because Auburn had to focus its defense on Thompkins (not that it helped).
Thompkins said he has done more “soaking and icing than I’ve ever done in my life” this season.
“Hopefully in other people’s eyes I’ve done my job,” he said. “I’ve done the best that I can and that’s all I can do.”
And now, his secret is out.
By Jeff Schultz
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82 comments Add your comment
Stevo
March 10th, 2011
5:38 pm
Wow! I’ve heard of men getting them. Just good grooming. Let’s GATA tomorrow! I wanna rub it in all the Bama fans’ faces at school!
JSS
March 10th, 2011
5:42 pm
My late brother who ran a 9.4 100 yards back in 1962 swore by taking care of one’s feet better than a woman…
Don’t forget to play inside out young Thompkins. You’ll be alright…
merbertmoover
March 10th, 2011
5:48 pm
3rd? please…..
bjohndawg
March 10th, 2011
5:51 pm
9.4 ..huh.
I once ran a 9.4 40yd dash.
Will the Dawgs make a run in the tourneys? I think they will.
One think for sure, if Richt or Fox get word of NCAA violations by players or coaches…they will self report. Unlike some other coaches. And no lying and crying either.
Headley Lamar
March 10th, 2011
5:52 pm
Beat Bama !!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
March 10th, 2011
5:55 pm
After bunion removal on both feet I can honestly say if your feet hurt, you hurt.
Best thing I ever did, wish Chipper would consider.
JSS
March 10th, 2011
5:55 pm
If he would have stayed away from drinking he would have been shoe-in for Tokyo… But just goes to show you, seize the day… And take care of you feet!
JSS
March 10th, 2011
5:57 pm
Enter your comments here
Worm
March 10th, 2011
5:57 pm
Good to see you feeling better big guy..We appreciate your talents and the way you represent the Dawgs!
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
5:58 pm
Does he let the lil fish eat the crud off his feet too? My feet are too ticklish to have somebody doing all that stuff to them. WOW. If it works I guess he should keep doing it. It really worked today. Trey came out Big today.
JSS
March 10th, 2011
6:06 pm
Most States outlawed that fish thing, but I say all in!
But Thompkins feet are as essential as good hands. He should take care of them!
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman !
March 10th, 2011
6:11 pm
oh so metrosexual with pedicure and manicures in dawgie land. Like Mr. Tarkenton said UGa is in Big Big trouble.
When Pigs Fly
March 10th, 2011
6:17 pm
When UGA becomes relevant in football and basketball.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
6:17 pm
JSS I didn’t know that was outlawed. I just saw something on TV about it one time. That is just too much for me to even consider. Some of the Beauty things guys are doing now are too much unless you are a model or Actor.
I understand the feet thing from JROTC, ROTC, and Working on my feet too. Can you imagine the ABUSE Shaq’s feet take with that HUGE body of his jumping up and down?
What time is the next game? I think the next ACC tip is at 7.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
6:19 pm
Michigan St 45 Iowa 48 with 12:30 left to play. Man this is a low scoring game.
JSS
March 10th, 2011
6:21 pm
@ Floundering…
Dude didn’t say go get a Brazilian… Taking care of his future money makers… And you see what happened when he went all cave man… Long as he ain’t getting any comp pedis at the Athens Kroger! Soak clip away! I bet the NCAA will be Athens soon trying to get to bottom of his feet!
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
6:25 pm
The only males in Athens getting a Brazilian are RUSS the temporary mascot and Damon Evans. LOL.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
6:26 pm
You see how that worked out for both of them.
Daffy Duck
March 10th, 2011
6:28 pm
That last quote makes him sound like he’s going pro. I hope not. But if he does, good luck to him.
JSS
March 10th, 2011
6:29 pm
Leave Russ out of it! Player is still alive, can’t say that for the other three! Well Damon, just SMDH!
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
6:31 pm
what is “SMDH” I have seen that but I don’t know what it stands for.
JSS
March 10th, 2011
6:32 pm
Shaking my #$%& head…
Jeff Schultz
March 10th, 2011
6:33 pm
Merbertmoover — Bronze.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
6:33 pm
RUSS is a real GAMER for damn sure. I don’t think he has any Boys to lick either, but he Represents like he does. LOL. Have they decided on the new Uga IX? Has Sonny made a choice that will be big enough by kick off?
Jeff Schultz
March 10th, 2011
6:35 pm
Daffy Duck — I think it’s a safe bet Thompkins is gone. Right now he projects to go in the early to mid 20s but a strong tournament could improve that.
Palm City Dawg
March 10th, 2011
6:35 pm
Dawgs were awesome today, but I am still very nervous during the game until we hit the 2 minute mark with a 20 point lead. However, I love Mark Fox and this team.
Jeff Schultz
March 10th, 2011
6:38 pm
5150 — You should bookmark: Urbandictionary.com. It will answer all of your acronym questions.
JSS
March 10th, 2011
6:40 pm
Just give old Russ a bag of ice and portable AC unit and he’s set! Know when you have a keeper!
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
6:43 pm
Thanks JEFF SCHULTZ.
cattle dawg
March 10th, 2011
6:43 pm
What time is game tomorrow and is it on tv? A good pedicurist will also massage your feet and calves.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
6:45 pm
Are you staying and Blogging Live for the other games? Are you heading home and going to open a live Blog to discuss the games. I am watching the ACC and SEC.
I guess you will just let the dawgs come to the Tech blog for the night and enjoy some time at home? Well thanks for the live blog today.
JSS
March 10th, 2011
6:46 pm
“A good pedicurist will also massage your feet and calves.”
Sounds like Kobe Beef!
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
6:46 pm
Cattle
Same as today 1 pm. again.
Joe
March 10th, 2011
6:51 pm
UGA beat another losing team.
Big deal.
dawgie
March 10th, 2011
6:58 pm
69GEORGIA – AUBURN 51 AUBURN LOSES AGAIN, NO UPSET THIS TIME.
2 n 10
March 10th, 2011
7:05 pm
It was great to beat Auburns a$$ twice this year.Dont Hate Joe,get a life.
2 n 10
March 10th, 2011
7:06 pm
Here U dawgie..
Gravy Train
March 10th, 2011
7:24 pm
NBA players get pedicures too. I remember Shaq used to credit them in his LA days. Rodman got ‘em, I think Jordan even had a few. As for me, my feet are too dang ugly to unleash on anyone.
cattle dawg
March 10th, 2011
7:32 pm
Thanks 5150
cattle dawg
March 10th, 2011
7:33 pm
To get that kobe beef you got to keep em young and tender, cant let them move around much.
Beast from the East
March 10th, 2011
7:37 pm
Congrats on the win, Dawgs!
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
7:38 pm
That is why you put shackles on a Lazyboy and put the TV on Lifetime when you start get that Beef ready. She want get too bored that way.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
7:39 pm
Another ATTACK of the SENSES with a TV screen full of Orange.
pj
March 10th, 2011
7:40 pm
lets hope we don’t beat bama in a miraculous 2nd half comeback – otherwise our hedges are toast.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
7:42 pm
Tubby smith and Minnesota went out today. Glad Tubby didn’t want to come to TECH and I don’t know anybody that wanted him either.
Terry Funk
March 10th, 2011
7:45 pm
I’m too fat to cut my toe nails and too cheap for a pedicure…but I’ve never missed a cild support payment..and my 14yr old daughter loves cutting my toe nails…her mother was the same way….
I love the dawgs tomorrow…but I think we’re in even if we lose..we won’t..I work downtown and I love the old folks wearing UK sweatshirts and jackets walking around…it must be March…
GO DAWGS!!!
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
7:47 pm
The Vols and the Razorbacks! Is this the Cheaters game? Pelphery, Arkansas coach played, at Kentucky right?
Terry Funk
March 10th, 2011
7:48 pm
If the Razorbacks win is UT still a lock..??
BamaNYC
March 10th, 2011
7:51 pm
That won’t be Auburn your Dawgs are playing tomorrow. Don’t count on Thompkins “resting his feet” for the final six minutes against Bama. Won’t happen.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
7:52 pm
Well if people were walking around downtown in Bama and Florida gear, then it would the Dec. and the SEC Championship game.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
7:55 pm
That last play in the UCONN play by Walker was crazy.
J Clay
March 10th, 2011
7:59 pm
Comment about the pedicure at Athens Kroger was too funny…Have not laughed so hard in a while with all these comments…I just hope he is not getting a pedicure at the Happy Spa on Gaines School Road – the one with the dark, fogged up windows….because if so the NCAA will be down investigating “extra” benefits….
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
8:08 pm
J Clay usually when you hear about a Dawg and a paid for “Release”. We think of Bonding out of jail. LOL
cattle dawg
March 10th, 2011
8:30 pm
My luck is so good that I went to an asian spa one time and it was actually legit, they asked me to leave.
5150 UOAD
March 10th, 2011
9:18 pm
Cattle
That sucks. Money to spend and they send you down the road.
OldTimer
March 10th, 2011
9:46 pm
The dawgs don’t have the balls to take this trophy.
They know how to talk though.
St. Clarkston
March 10th, 2011
9:50 pm
Hope the Dawgs struggle to a lot more 20+ win seasons under Fox.
Hairy Dawg
March 10th, 2011
11:29 pm
Trey better not let Rex Ryan anywhere near those feet.
Scott
March 11th, 2011
12:18 am
Bama will get smoked friday, tourney lined up perfect in bracket for dawns, win tomm and in ncaa
BobDawg
March 11th, 2011
12:24 am
@BamaNYC…. This won’t be like it was in Tuscaloosa when we couldn’t find a 3 pt shot… Press all you want but we will run away tomorrow… Bye, Bye Tide…..
TampaDAWG
March 11th, 2011
1:02 am
I am actually very anxious for this game. Everyone forgets that Bama was unbeaten at home this year. So lets see how they look on a neutral court. Hopefully, the DAWGS won’t be a tired from playing yesterday. If both teams play their best UGA should win, but Bama is very good at making other teams look sloppy. Should be a good interesting. Go DAWGS!
Dirty Dawg
March 11th, 2011
2:51 am
Gotta say you had to be nervous about that AU game. I mean it looked like the BBall Gods might just be lining up to pull the rug out from under Coach Fox and these kids at the last minute…we lost to Alabama when a victory would have assured a NCAA Tourney slot…we draw an Auburn team that was, according to their coach and others, playing their best ball of the season…the ‘pickers’ were saying that we had to win, at least, this first game in order to make the next Tourney…and we are assigned a 1PM starting time when so many Georgia fans were doing something else…and yet they looked as good as they have at any time this season – regardless of how poorly they shot the ball.
I was pleasantly surprised as the game wore on where usually I’m cussin’ their lackadaisical approach to bringing the ball down against an opponent’s pressure – but they got it done…and for the first time in a long time I don’t think I ever hollered – ‘take care of the damn ball’ – cause they did. I may be too much of a pessimist and the game against Alabama may be entirely different, but I’m looking forward to it and if they play as they did against AU, we’ll be playing this weekend – and next weekend as well, and not in the NIT.
As for the two starting times, 1 PM games on both Thursday and Friday, what’s up with that? Are they intentionally trying to see to it that we have as few fans there as possible? I mean, for all the other teams, their fans have made a commitment to take off from work, make a holiday of it and are gonna be here anyway…while we’re here doing what we do and hoping to get to a game or two before it’s over. Just wondering. You know, maybe they figure that Georgia fans will just be headed to the game and won’t be frittering away time at the FanFest thing, so they just get us out of the way as soon as they can…
gary
March 11th, 2011
3:37 am
The dogs looked good ,and again praying they return ,meaning all the Jrs. and the NCAA’S would be there again and a great chance to deep on a NCAA run.adding the incoming recruits Coach Fox ability to coach and look out,JUST HOPE WE GET MARSHALL AND STAN ROME ADDED ALONG WITH CALDWELL AND THE TWO 7FT CENTER BEING RECRUITED TO BLOCK SHOTS AND REBOUNDS THIS TEAM WILL BE AWESOME,but let’s continue to make noise this year.
Ted Striker
March 11th, 2011
3:45 am
I ain’t afraid to admit I’ve had them. I used to go with a gf of mine. Was awesome.
Greensboro
March 11th, 2011
6:03 am
Yesterday I saw a comment on ESPN that Colorado was a lock to get in and UGA had to beat Bama to get in yet they said UGA’s significant wins were against Kentucky, Tenn. and UAB with no significant losses. Well, they left off Colorado! Am I missing something here or has someone blown a logic gasket?
» SEC: Georgia-Bama could be NCAA play-in game John Clay’s Sidelines
March 11th, 2011
6:09 am
[...] Georgia puts its best foot forward, writes Jeff Schultz of the AJC. [...]
Tech Sucks
March 11th, 2011
6:32 am
He can do whatever he wants to his feet, playing like that. He’s a freaking beast. Yet of course the AJC’s big Sports Page Picture and article are about Paul Hewitt and Tech losing once again, like they do in every sport.
Joe
March 11th, 2011
7:37 am
Won another game against a terrible team with a losing record.
Snore.
UGA is 3-9 against teams with a 50 or better rpi.
Buckeye
March 11th, 2011
7:56 am
Nice headline, Schultzie. Clever.
Congrats to Howard ( before I was Trey but was getting my pedicures) and Co. Great game and glad you are on the mend.
You’ve got a great Mom…she was always nice to me at the Wolves games.
Good luck today and through the weekend.
Question is do they charge like triple given the size of your feet??
(Anyone that wants to make a Tressel comment can take it to the football blogs)
Southern DisComfort
March 11th, 2011
8:01 am
Georgia Tech put there best feet backwards in the ACC.
Joey
March 11th, 2011
8:28 am
Joe: “UGA beat another losing team. Big deal.”
Hey, moron, I would venture a guess that every single team in the polls also played “losing teams” this season, also.
N.GA.DAWG
March 11th, 2011
8:42 am
I agree with the colorado thing. If they are that good then that had to be a good win. I have a feeling Bama is NIT bound after today. GO DAWGS!!
Upstate Dawg
March 11th, 2011
9:03 am
Great all-around play yesterday–even with shooting only 41% from the floor. I don’t think the team was taxed much more than a tough scrimmage yesterday. We should still be fresh today. Should we get past ‘Bama then tomorrow would be when I would be concerned about fatigue. Sic ‘em Dawgs!!!
TideFanInAtl
March 11th, 2011
9:05 am
Enter your comments here
gdawginkalamazoo
March 11th, 2011
9:35 am
First off, prayers to the people of Japan and the Pacific Rim countries that are having to deal with the earthquake and the aftermath. Seeing that type of devastation is just horrible.
I hope the dawgs come out and play hard and all 40 minutes. If they do that they can beat just about anybody.
Go Dawgs!
gdawginkalamazoo
March 11th, 2011
9:38 am
Buckeye, not to get off on football but do you think you guys are going to have to forfeit the season last year playing 5 ineligible players ALL season long?
Kenny Powers #55
March 11th, 2011
10:20 am
Now that Auburn is F…..g out and back home planting trees and grinding stumps, it’s time to send greyshirt U home too.
Buckeye
March 11th, 2011
11:01 am
gdawginkalamazoo.
Yep, gave my predictions yesterday.
2010 – vacated
Sugar Bowl – vacated
Tatt 5 – no reduction but no additional
Loss of Bowls – 2 years
Scholarships – none lost. Not a recruiting issue
Tressel – resigns soon than later
Next Coach – not Urban Myer
In the meantime, tune into ESPN at Noon and watch the Bucks for a while before we listen to all the pedi comments on the SEC telecast!
Georgia Tech could decide Paul Hewitt's future over weekend | Jeff Schultz
March 11th, 2011
11:54 am
[...] – Trey Thompkins, Georgia put their best feet forward in SEC [...]
Sonny Jackson
March 11th, 2011
12:53 pm
Hey Jeff, thanks for that urbandictionary link… been laughing all morning.
Legs were gone
March 11th, 2011
3:33 pm
Our legs simply gave out. Oh well. Now we wait.
That UT game and the Notre Dame game and the Temple game and the Xavier game and one or two more within the SEC all loom large now. Just two wins in this group and we would make the Dance. If we don’t ………….. we can only blame ourselves.
Go Dogs.
DAWG GONE FAN
March 15th, 2011
12:52 pm
Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie need one more year of maturity and playing experience before
hitting he pros…they will be just that much better and have the experience of being well coached by
a very capable young Mark Fox…lucky them to have a choice!