Departing Dawg: Is Trey Thompkins bound for NBA glory?
Here's Trey with a dunked-home deuce. (AP photo)
Trey Thompkins will be in the NBA next season, and we need ask: How good a pro can the former Bulldog be?
Short answer: Pretty darn good.
Quick caveat: Providing he gets in shape.
Only once — in his sophomore season — did we get an extended glimpse of how effective Howard Thompkins III can be. He was hurt before games began in 2008-2009 and never played his way into form, hurt again in practice this season past and always seemed to be playing catch-up ball, at least conditioning-wise.
His numbers took a slight dip, and he didn’t ace the eyeball test, either. Only occasionally — against Kentucky in Athens on Jan. 8; against Washington in the only NCAA tournament game of his Georgia career — did he appear as dominant as his preseason SEC player of the year led us to expect. He was good, as opposed to great.
He can, however, be a much better professional. He has an NBA body and NBA skills. He’s 6-foot-10, 245 pounds. So’s Al Horford, although Thompkins wouldn’t appear half as strong. He’ll never be pressed into service as a center: Thompkins is a pure power forward, which isn’t a bad thing to be.
NBAdraft.net projects Thompkins as the 16th overall pick, the highest the site has had him in a while. I’m thinking he could move upward. (The first 14 picks comprise the lottery.) I don’t think he’ll be top 10, but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the top 20. But to become an NBA starter, a double-double guy, he has to get stronger and more forceful.
Speaking of Thompkins back in February, an NBA scout told me: “I’m not sure what he does well.” I can think of several things: He can shoot from distance, score down low and pass from the high post. I think what happened with Thompkins this season is that he didn’t do any of those things often enough to delight scouts, but now that he announced he’s leaving they’ll look harder. There are things there to like.
As for Travis Leslie, the Bulldog who has declared for the draft but has retained the right to remove himself: He’d be better served staying another year at Georgia, although I’m not sure he will. NBAdraft.net projects him as the first pick of Round 2 — in 2012. He’d surely get drafted this year if he leaves, but not so highly as a man of his talent should. Leslie needs another season to prove he’s not just another of those power guards (think Dion Glover) who fizzle so quickly in the pros.
But he probably shouldn’t take my advice. I had Purdue going to the Final Four.
By Mark Bradley
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77 comments Add your comment
The rest of us
April 6th, 2011
9:06 am
Love Trey as a college player, but I don’t see him tough enough to make it in the NBA. He plays way too soft to be able to bang with the boys in the league.
STUDENT ATHLETE
April 6th, 2011
9:06 am
3 years; 3 points a game
The rest of us
April 6th, 2011
9:06 am
1st & 2nd?
just a fan
April 6th, 2011
9:11 am
Trey will do just fine in the NBA he has good touch and good ball handling skills for a big man
Departing Dawg: Is Trey Thompkins bound for NBA glory? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Free NBA Videos
April 6th, 2011
9:11 am
[...] Departing Dawg: Is Trey Thompkins bound for NBA glory?Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)He has an NBA body and NBA skills. He's 6-foot-10, 245 pounds. So's Al Horford, although Thompkins wouldn't appear half as strong. He'll never be pressed into service as a center: Thompkins is a pure power forward, which isn'ta bad thing to be. …Georgia's Trey Thompkins, Travis Leslie to enter NBA draftUSA TodayGeorgia's Thompkins declares for NBA DraftKansas City StarGeorgia's Thompkins declares for the NBA draftSportingNews.comExaminer.com -WKYT -Red and Blackall 210 news articles » [...]
Tucker T
April 6th, 2011
9:14 am
I hope Leslie will stay but the allure of the NBA can be overwelming.
Blindog
April 6th, 2011
9:14 am
I’ve heard that some team mates didn’t like playing with Trey,anyone else heard anything to comfirm this?
Departing Dawg: Is Trey Thompkins bound for NBA glory? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | The Basketball Site
April 6th, 2011
9:18 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Mark Bradley
April 6th, 2011
9:20 am
Kudos, The rest of us.
DawginLex
April 6th, 2011
9:20 am
Thompkins is a potential long time NBA player.
How hard is he willing to work?
Is he injury prone?
If he was in better shape, would the injuries be less frequent?
Must improve his overall game and not get pigeon holed into being a low post player.
Buckeye speaks highly of this young man and his family. If he works hard, there is no reason he can’t be successful.
Travis Leslie won’t get drafted. He will be making a huge mistake if he leaves now.
Road Scholar
April 6th, 2011
9:27 am
It’s surprising that there are only so many 1st and 2nd round oicks to be made, and these underclassmen are declaring in droves, let alone some are hiring agents. No “parachute” exists if they aren’t selected. just look at Ctritterton’s trek in th NBA, if he’s still there! Stay in school; You signed up fpr 4 years. Even more so, your degree will go whereever you go! Also have you seen the non NBA job market?
Mark Bradley
April 6th, 2011
9:29 am
And Javaris Crittenton was indeed a Round 1 draftee.
Departing Dawg: Is Trey Thompkins bound for NBA glory? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Locs Basketball Store
April 6th, 2011
9:32 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
old school
April 6th, 2011
9:33 am
Remember what Charles Barkley said about the NBA. It is a “MAN’S League. He is to soft and not mature enough to play in the league yet. Was not even a consistent player in the SEC, as it seemed like he did not show up in big games. He got some bad advice from people who do not have his best interests in mind going forward.
DawginLex
April 6th, 2011
9:37 am
old school,
did you watch the NCAA game vs UW?
Clark Kellogg doesn’t give out praise without it bing warranted. He was gushing about Thompkins being the best player on the floor and making big shots.
If he does that in the NBA, he will play a long ime.
PMC
April 6th, 2011
9:39 am
He needs to get on the Shane Battier diet.
GTJason
April 6th, 2011
9:40 am
That’s Turrrrrrible to quote Barkley like that. He’d say these 2 guys are knuckleheads for leaving.
No way......
April 6th, 2011
9:55 am
…Jose’…
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 6th, 2011
10:03 am
Looks like the fleabags will be back to their usual sucky self next year in B.B.
You don’t have Paul Phewitt to beat up on anymore.
Fox will be fired within 3 years.
GTBob
April 6th, 2011
10:22 am
Mark, you are right. Trey will have to beef up and play with more aggression. Playing in the NBA is going to be a completely different game then college. The power forwards he will be will be going up against will be bigger, stronger, and more athletic then he is. In the SEC he had the luxury of playing mostly inferior talent. That luxury is gone now. He is probably going to get knocked around for a while.
Paul in RDU
April 6th, 2011
10:25 am
I looked at the mock draft and it doesn’t have any of UNC’s top prospects (Barnes, Henson and Zeller) listed as even being drafted and has Jimmer Fredette as a lottery pick. I can’t take this seriously.
fan
April 6th, 2011
10:26 am
Nice comment Ramble on considering Fox’s contract is getting re-worked, don’t think he’s going anywhere. Plus I wouldn’t hate on Fox, during his first year vs a more talent tech team he came away with the W. Tech sports are about to become mediocre once again, no wait, that’s already happened.
bascogcjs
April 6th, 2011
10:30 am
Trey’s too soft and injury prone.
He has had some kind of leg,foot, or back injury all
during high school and college.
That doesn’t bode well for long lasting nba career.
Clueless @ the AJC
April 6th, 2011
10:30 am
Stupid Mistake. He needs another year of development. Didn’t he hear Charles Barkley the other day?………….the NBA is for Men.
Remarkable
April 6th, 2011
10:35 am
Travis Leslie, see what it will be like to be THE MAN at UGA for a year with the mantle of leadership on your shoulders. You could move up into a lottery pick!
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 6th, 2011
10:36 am
in a word, no
Walker, Texas Ranger
April 6th, 2011
10:38 am
I don’t think the UNC guys will all come out. I think they are being told that maybe 1 would be a lottery pick and the other two would not.
Mark Bradley
April 6th, 2011
10:45 am
Let the record show that Charles Barkley left Auburn after three seasons.
Joycee Banicheck
April 6th, 2011
10:52 am
Got to watch you play your last game at UGA in Charlotte Trey, good luck in the future and thanks for being a DAWG.
GTBob
April 6th, 2011
10:54 am
Paul in RDU, I think they are making assumptions about who is leaving and who isn’t. They have Harrison Barnes as the number 1 pick in 2012 and not drafted in 2011. Obviously, he would be a top 5 pick if he decides to leave this year, so they must be assuming he isn’t leaving.
Mark Bradley
April 6th, 2011
10:56 am
Harrison Barnes would be one of the top three players picked if he leaves. I bet he does.
I Saw It On TV
April 6th, 2011
11:04 am
Great coverage on the Masters by the AJC, you guys are sports personified!
ormewood
April 6th, 2011
11:15 am
Probably 50/50 on whether Harrison Barnes goes or stays. If he and Henson go, that slides Thompkins down a couple of more rungs.
Departing Dawg: Is Trey Thompkins bound for NBA glory? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Basketball Video Zone
April 6th, 2011
11:18 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
I-DOG
April 6th, 2011
11:18 am
I think he will have a spot in the league as a backup for a long time, but I don’t think he will be much of an NBA player. Power forward is the most competitive position in the NBA. There are just a lot of great players that play that spot.
I would project career averages of 15 minutes a game and 5 points and 3 rebounds. Still makes sense to come out as he will probably go in the top 20 and sign a nice contract and have a nice NBA career as a backup. I don’t have anything against him and wish him the best of luck… just my unbiased opinion based on watching him play.
RaleighDawg
April 6th, 2011
11:21 am
Again – nothing to be gained for Travis to stay at UGA. At 6′2″ and limited ball handling skills (remember who Fox used to “break” the press time and time again – Trey, not Travis) his only position in the NBA is as a 2 guard. With Dustin and Gerald – plus Sharrod and Vinnie – returning and Pope (and maybe Ware) coming in, Travis will never play a minute at the 2. He’s better served to go pro now (even if he ends up in Europe or the D-League) and work on his jump shot, ball handling, and defense than he is to hang around in Athens for another year. I say thanks for the three years and best of luck to you T-Bird !
Double Zero Eight
April 6th, 2011
11:22 am
I think he will be another “Cedric Henderson”.
He needs another year at Georgia.
PMC
April 6th, 2011
11:23 am
That’s too bad for the NBA then. Harrison Barnes is an extremely talented player, and he’s also exceptionally raw.
Instead of passing to a better shot when the game was on the line against Kentucky, he barely bricks up a 3 against a smothering double team with 20 seconds left.
I’ll give him however that he could at least crack the starting lineup for the Heels unlike Marvin Williams who surely must have studied PT Barnum when he decided to go to the NBA.
Unfortunately for us…. Billy Knight is a WINGSPAN guy.
Departing Dawg: Is Trey Thompkins bound for NBA glory? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
April 6th, 2011
11:32 am
[...] See the original post here: Departing Dawg: Is Trey Thompkins bound for NBA glory? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Buckeye
April 6th, 2011
11:32 am
Howard ( before I was NBA) will go as far as he wants to. He has the inherent skills. We will see if has the desire.
I hope he is somewhere in the eastern time zone so we can see him from time to time. If goes out west, well, it was nice knowing you. Anyone see Al Farooq Aminu play this year??
I predict a journeyman career at best, or, an injury-riddled 2-3 year career and out of the league.
The good news, I hope, is he will not squander his early money.
schmeckdawg
April 6th, 2011
11:36 am
Mark Bradley
April 6th, 2011
10:56 am
Harrison Barnes would be one of the top three players picked if he leaves. I bet he does.
I BET HE DOESN’T!!!!!!!!!!!!
KBP
April 6th, 2011
11:49 am
I am a Trey Thompkins fan and the only question I have is can he defend NBA power forwards? Bosh, Smith, Boozer, Bass, Garnett, Duncan, Gasol just to name a few.
Mark Bradley
April 6th, 2011
11:56 am
That’s the question regarding Thompkins: Is he quick enough?
Dawglasville
April 6th, 2011
11:58 am
KBP – Smith is power forward? Someone should tell him. He has been playing #2 guard all year long.
Dawglasville
April 6th, 2011
12:01 pm
Where is Buckeye with his scouting report on Howard (before he was Trey)?
Greg
April 6th, 2011
12:02 pm
Eh…probably the success level as Gani Lawal
Me
April 6th, 2011
12:07 pm
Trey blamed his teammates constantly. He was never at fault. He has zero physical toughness. He does not like to mix it up in the post. He’s played 3 years at UGA and never has he gotten on the floor after a loose ball. He is in for a rude awakening in the NBA. But, Mark Fox is part to blame in this. He never stepped in when Trey was busy blaming teammates during a game last year.
Ted M
April 6th, 2011
12:12 pm
I’d be very surprised if Trey is drafted in the 1st round.
Me
April 6th, 2011
12:18 pm
Not to mention, have you noticed his body? Doesn’t exactly know where the weight room is located at UGA. Getting up shots in a gym does not equate to ‘getting better’ and ‘putting in work.’ Trey is lazy, plain and simple.
Paul in RDU
April 6th, 2011
12:28 pm
Chances of UNC’s 3 top players going pro:
Harrison Barnes FR – 80% – he’ll be in top 5
John Henson SO – 50% – he’ll be drafted at the end of the lottery
Tyler Zeller JR – 10% – kid is an academic AA and he needs another year to impress the scouts
Me
April 6th, 2011
12:46 pm
And shall we relive the Wesleyan State Championship game Trey’s senior year? You recall the one where he fell and couldn’t walk off the floor without help but was diving on the dog pile at half court when Tanner Smith won them the game? Its always all about Trey.
MalibuGT
April 6th, 2011
12:48 pm
Mark, curious your view on NC State’s hire as well as seeing Butler, VCU, and Witchita State all retaining their talented coaches. these mid majors are ponying up pretty good $$. I was surprised by NC State’s decision.
ormewood
April 6th, 2011
1:09 pm
NC State job is a challenging one, with top of the top five programs within 30 minutes of their campus. Plus, their fans are pretty brutal.
JackP
April 6th, 2011
1:22 pm
He may be headed for the NBA draft but will he make a team? Maybe. Will he achieve glory? No way Jose. Not going to happen. He will float around the league for 2-3 yrs and then disappear. He will end up broke with little education to fall back on. Sad story but it happens quite often.
bruce mac
April 6th, 2011
1:35 pm
I could care less if Trey makes it big or flitters like most, the NBA is boring beyond belief. As far as UGA next year, I sense we are better off without him. You can’t coach 6′ 10″ but he doesn’t play like it anyway. He is busy shooting threes and directing traffic at the top of the key. We need a leaper like Bama has and life will be good for UGA in 2012. I wish Barnes had one more year.
JB
April 6th, 2011
1:39 pm
Better to try the NBA vs taking a chance in this Obama economy. Nobody is hiring.This prez hasn’t got a clue……………Or does he. May be working just like he wants it. Dependency.
MaxxDawg
April 6th, 2011
2:07 pm
He is a great prospect for the NBA. In addition to shooting, he can also dribble, rebound and block shots.
Me
April 6th, 2011
2:09 pm
MaxxDawg you aren’t very observant are you? Did you not notice Trey attempting to dribble the ball with his left hand vs. Bama in the SEC tournament? The scouting report was ‘he has no left hand.’ So don’t say he can dribble.
Legend of Len Barker
April 6th, 2011
3:09 pm
Thompkins will be drafted, but he won’t make it. He was a standout at Georgia, but guys built like him are a dime a dozen in the NBA. And unlike Thompkins, most of them can actually do more than score over smaller opponents in the paint. He’s not durable enough or strong enough to stand out. Thompkins’s ankles aren’t good enough to last Georgia’s seasons. What’s he going to do with a schedule more than twice as long?
Travis Leslie will have a longer NBA career as while he’s not great at any particular skill, athleticism lets you hang around. Andre Igoudala is a prime example.
BuckheadBill
April 6th, 2011
3:27 pm
I think that one Trey injury was diving for a ball in PRACTICE.
BG
April 6th, 2011
3:28 pm
Trey will make an excellent NBA player.
BigGAdawg
April 6th, 2011
3:29 pm
BTW:
First = A desperate cry for attention and affirmation.
Kudos (not actually an attaboy) is actually from the ancient Sumerian meaning, “You sucky loser.”
Larry
April 6th, 2011
3:48 pm
I think Thompkins will be a bust in the NBA and will disappear on a roster, much like Sheldon Williams from Duke. Travis Leslie has to learn how to play guard and I don’t know if that’s possible.
VillaRicaDawg
April 6th, 2011
3:56 pm
Thompkins and Leslie will be drafted, but will land in the NBDL or overseas. That’s it.
Barry
April 6th, 2011
4:19 pm
Really? Draft this guy? If anyone is dumb enough, they will regret it. He will be playing in some crap euro league in 2 years.
Me
April 6th, 2011
4:44 pm
I’m glad I am not the only one that thinks Thompkins is SOFT. Not one ounce of toughness. But again, I hold Mark Fox just as guilty because he let Trey blame teammates and you can’t have that. STEP UP FOX.
Buckeye
April 6th, 2011
5:23 pm
Me,
I was at that game too. Howard ( before I was NBA) took a really nasty fall on his hip right before the first half ended. The game was more of a microcosm of Tanner Smith’s career than anything else – with Howard then without Howard ( Oak Hill) then with Howard ( first half) then without Howard
(second half). Tanner put the team on his shoulders, he created shots and literally willed the championship victory. I felt bad for Howard ( before I was NBA) but the untimely injury ( and mind you, it happened on the court – he wasn’t faking anything) was a portend of things to come.
RaleighDawg
April 6th, 2011
10:38 pm
Good one Bruce Mac !! Wishing Barnes had another year ROTFL !!!! You are so funny !!
Ben
April 7th, 2011
8:22 am
Mark, have to agree with the guys assessment of “what does he do well”. Trey is a great player but 6′10″ guys who don’t have a great post-game don’t stick around very long unless your name is Dirk or Durant.
He can hit from 3 but not very consistently like you need to in the NBA. I always screamed when he would throw those up and not to mention all times he’d decide to bring the ball up the court himself.
I just never saw him take over enough games like an NBA star should in college. Still, if he’s smart he can have a solid career as a secondary piece on a team, get a couple of contracts, and make millions. No brainer.
sansho1
April 7th, 2011
8:49 am
Thompkins was at the top of the key so often because that’s the offense Fox runs. And it made sense with Price in the low post. Anyway, if he didn’t hit some jumpers Clark Kellogg would have never gotten to say that he was “displaying his full package”.
The Guy is Good...
April 7th, 2011
10:14 am
When I see Trey I think LaMarcus Aldridge. And he’s turned out fine.
KD
April 7th, 2011
10:25 am
All of them should stay for 4 years, that’s what they signed for !!
Larry Drew
April 7th, 2011
10:47 am
Come to the Hawks Trey! We need more worthless 1st round picks!
theight
April 7th, 2011
11:53 am
Thompkins is a great comparison to Antwan Jamison.
AUG2424
April 7th, 2011
12:08 pm
Trey has a good skill set. He would have to play within a triangle offense like the Lakers. I think his lateral quickness is too slow and is not a consistent enough outside shooter for the pro game. Also, he comes across as very soft and doesn’t rebound very well for his size. I think he’ll be in the league for 5 or 6 years but as a role player. Travis Leslie would be better suited to land with a team like Golden State. He needs to be in a very uptempo style offense. His outside shot is suspect and has no left hand dribble. I see Leslie lasting longer in the NBA but not getting drafted higher than Thompkins.
B
April 11th, 2011
4:23 pm
Thompkins has more than shown he has a high level of talent while at UGA. Whether he was in shape or hurt anytime the Bulldogs have done anything he was on the floor.
Now that I see all the comments you are making I see why kids never come to UGA. Wish the kid luck as not many people have this opportunity. He has work to do in order to get drafter and even more work to do to be effective in the NBA.
No one in the NBA is operating off of pure talent a strong work ethic is a must for all players. Let’s get behind our players at times like this.
LakeDawg
April 12th, 2011
7:47 pm
Thompkins needs another year of developement. He’s got to get in shape, as Mark pointed out, so he can move his feet and play defense. He also needs to toughen up a bit. He was great in the first half against UW, but disappeared in the second half until the frantic end. That indicates a lack of mental toughess , also. He would be better served coming back. The NBA often doesn’t give someone a chance to develope. You either prove you belong right away or you sit on the bench. With developement, Thompkins could be an NBA starter, but he might not get that chance.