T.J. Thompson enters his fifth season as an assistant coach at Rutgers in 2025-26 and his seventh season overall with the Scarlet Knights. A First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection and four-year starter at George Washington University under head coach Steve Pikiell, Thompson has quickly developed a reputation as one of college basketball’s rising coaching talents.
Since joining Rutgers, Thompson has cultivated strong relationships with players and has become an integral part of recruiting, player development, and program growth. During the 2024-25 season, Rutgers recorded its highest-scoring offense in 32 years, averaging 76.6 points per game. In 2023-24, the Scarlet Knights maintained one of the nation’s best homecourt advantages, finishing 12-5 at home with sellouts for every game. In 2022-23, Rutgers became the first team in school history to achieve four consecutive winning seasons and reached postseason play for a third straight year.
Thompson played a key role in Rutgers’ return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in consecutive seasons since 1976 during the 2021-22 campaign. He has also established himself as one of Rutgers’ top recruiters, securing the program’s first five-star recruit under Pikiell, wing Gavin Griffiths. Thompson has helped identify talent nationwide, contributing to the recruitment of players including point guard Geo Baker (New Hampshire), forward Antwone Woolfolk (Ohio), and forward Antonio Chol (Buffalo).
Pikiell on Thompson’s hiring:
“We are very excited to welcome T.J. and his wife Ilima to the Rutgers family. 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.”
Thompson began his Rutgers tenure as the Scarlet Knights’ Director of Basketball Administration for two seasons. In that role, he assisted the support staff with day-to-day program operations, including academic support, media relations, player development, film breakdown, player analysis, and oversight of university and community outreach initiatives.
Before Rutgers, Thompson co-founded the D.C. Blue Devils New Hampshire non-profit and AAU program, serving as program director and head coach for six years. He oversaw operations for seven teams, managed coaching staff, led practice and player development sessions, and implemented mentoring and academic tutoring programs to support student-athletes’ off-court success. More than 50 players, including current Rutgers captain Geo Baker, advanced to NCAA programs under his guidance.
A native of Germantown, Maryland, Thompson was a four-year starter and two-time all-conference selection at George Washington. He helped lead the Colonials to their first Atlantic 10 Tournament title as a senior captain in 2004-05, totaling 22 wins—the most since 1997-98—and earning an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. Thompson still holds the GW career record for three-pointers (229) and ranks fifth in assists (484) and eighth in steals (158).
Thompson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2005 before competing professionally in premier European leagues for 10 years. He also participated in the Boston Celtics Las Vegas Summer League squad in 2007.
