3 Days To Purdue Basketball: P.J. Thompson

With four players wearing numbers in the single-digits there will be a featured player each of the next four days leading up to Friday night's tipoff. That includes a new number zero in recent transfer Jon Octeus.

P.J. Thompson - Fr.

Indianapolis, IN (Brebeuf Prep HS)

5'10", 188 pounds

Point Guard

2014-15 Projection: contributor at point guard

When it looked like Ronnie Johnson would leave the program the Boilers were desperate for a new point guard. That is where Thompson came in. Coach Painter went after Bryant McIntosh, but he committed to Northwestern. Painter then went after Thompson, and after seeing the kid play a few times I don't think we will be disappointed.

Thompson was an all-Marion County selection three times and averaged 24 points per game this past year as he also made the Indiana All-Star team. His dad is former Ball State and Indiana State player LaSalle Thompson and he is a very smart player. The few times I saw him he did an excellent job of directing the offense while picking his spots to score. In one game I saw him lead a comeback over a ranked Lebanon team by taking the entire game over in the second half.

Thompson is a better shooter than our recent point guards, and he showed it by hitting on four triples Friday in the final exhibition. While Jon Octeus may start, Thompson will play plenty and he can be an excellent scoring option if needed. I think he was an under-rated pickup and his basketball IQ will pay off.