Photo by: Rich Graessle
T.J. Thompson Named Director of Basketball Administration
Oct 10 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY – Rutgers men's basketball coach Steve Pikiell has named T.J. Thompson the Scarlet Knights' director of basketball administration. A First Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection and four-year starter at George Washington University under coaches Karl Hobbs and Pikiell, Thompson co-founded the D.C. Blue Devils New Hampshire non-profit and AAU program, where he has been program director and head coach for the past six years.
"We are very excited to welcome T.J. and his wife Ilima to the Rutgers family," said Pikiell. "I was fortunate to coach T.J. for four years. His basketball knowledge, combined with his experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, will be a tremendous asset. He's been through the battles as a player and was instrumental in helping us build up our program at GW. He loves basketball and has a passion for the game. T.J. will fit in seamlessly with our staff, as we add yet another high-character and quality individual to the program."
In his new role, Thompson will be responsible for assisting the men's basketball support staff with day-to-day administration of the program. His responsibilities will include academic support, media relations, individual player support, film breakdown, player analysis and assisting in overseeing the program's University and community outreach endeavors.
Since 2013, Thompson has run the day-to- day business operations of the non-profit DC Blues Devils – NH, working with student-athletes from all backgrounds and providing financial assistance and scholarships for the majority in the program. Thompson implemented mandatory mentoring and academic tutoring programs to assist players with off-the-court responsibilities and to ensure their success at the collegiate level.
Thompson served as head coach for the 15U-17U programs and oversaw operations for all seven teams, while training coaching staff and managing practice and player development sessions. More than 50 co-ed players, including current Rutgers' team captain Geo Baker, furthered their academic and athletic careers at NCAA programs under his tutelage.
A native of Germantown (Md.), Thompson was a four-year starter and two-time all-conference selection at GW. He helped the team to its first Atlantic 10 Conference tournament title as a senior team captain in 2004-05. The Colonials captured 22 wins, their most since 1997-98 and the second most in 50 years, en route to a top 20 ranking and an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. Thompson still holds the GW career record for three pointers with 229, while ranking fifth in assists (484) and eighth in steals (158).
Thompson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2005 before competing professionally in various European premier leagues for 10 years. He was also selected for the Boston Celtics Las Vegas Summer League squad in 2007.
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"We are very excited to welcome T.J. and his wife Ilima to the Rutgers family," said Pikiell. "I was fortunate to coach T.J. for four years. His basketball knowledge, combined with his experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, will be a tremendous asset. He's been through the battles as a player and was instrumental in helping us build up our program at GW. He loves basketball and has a passion for the game. T.J. will fit in seamlessly with our staff, as we add yet another high-character and quality individual to the program."
In his new role, Thompson will be responsible for assisting the men's basketball support staff with day-to-day administration of the program. His responsibilities will include academic support, media relations, individual player support, film breakdown, player analysis and assisting in overseeing the program's University and community outreach endeavors.
Since 2013, Thompson has run the day-to- day business operations of the non-profit DC Blues Devils – NH, working with student-athletes from all backgrounds and providing financial assistance and scholarships for the majority in the program. Thompson implemented mandatory mentoring and academic tutoring programs to assist players with off-the-court responsibilities and to ensure their success at the collegiate level.
Thompson served as head coach for the 15U-17U programs and oversaw operations for all seven teams, while training coaching staff and managing practice and player development sessions. More than 50 co-ed players, including current Rutgers' team captain Geo Baker, furthered their academic and athletic careers at NCAA programs under his tutelage.
A native of Germantown (Md.), Thompson was a four-year starter and two-time all-conference selection at GW. He helped the team to its first Atlantic 10 Conference tournament title as a senior team captain in 2004-05. The Colonials captured 22 wins, their most since 1997-98 and the second most in 50 years, en route to a top 20 ranking and an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. Thompson still holds the GW career record for three pointers with 229, while ranking fifth in assists (484) and eighth in steals (158).
Thompson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2005 before competing professionally in various European premier leagues for 10 years. He was also selected for the Boston Celtics Las Vegas Summer League squad in 2007.
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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