Rutgers Women's Basketball Player Spotlight: Lisa Thompson
When it seemed like the 2023 recruiting class for Rutgers women's basketball was beginning to slow down in April, that's when a blazing-fast blur came into the picture.
That blur? Joliet, Illinois' Lisa Thompson.
Thompson, ranked 60th in the class according to ESPNW's recruiting rankings, originally had committed to nearby DePaul out of Joliet West High School and Example Academy in Illinois. However, later on in the process, the opportunity to join a program with the legacy of Rutgers' became too much to pass up.
"The opportunity to come play here at Rutgers is amazing," Thompson told scarletknights.com. "Rutgers is a women's basketball school. I just wanted to be a part of a school with a strong legacy of women student-athlete success."
Thompson is at her best attacking with her athleticism, whether it's at the rim or the defensive end. She also figures to be a strong part of the Scarlet Knights' transition-heavy offensive attack.
"Lisa is one of the most athletically gifted players in the entire 2023 class," Washington said. She has an impressive vertical jump and really gets after it on the defensive end. She also scores the ball in droves, especially on slashing attacks to the basket. She is definitely going to add lots of spice to our transition attack."
The 2023 McDonald's All-American nominee lit up the scoreboard at both Joliet West and Example Academy. In her first three seasons with the Tigers, Thompson helped lead the team to three conference championships, while also helping Example win the Independent National Championship. She also earned a tryout with the USA Women's U17 World Cup Team for her efforts.
As for her contributions in Piscataway, she will likely have a key depth role in the guard room. Texas A&M transfer Mya Petticord and sophomore Kaylene Smikle will likely be the two starters at each guard spot, but off the bench, Thompson can provide a spark with her athleticism and speed. Defensively, those same skills can help create disruptive plays, as in her junior year at Joliet West she averaged four steals per game.
Her role on offense will also be aided by the fact that there are a couple of openings in the guard room. Abby Streeter ran out of eligibility while Kai Carter opted to spend her final season at Memphis. Carter was often at her strongest at the guard spot by attacking downhill off a screen and pulling up from the midrange or getting closer to the paint. Thompson’s athleticism could allow her to have some of those similar opportunities, especially playing next to a floor general like Petticord or a floor-spacer from the outside like Smikle.
A defensive backcourt of Smikle and Thompson in certain lineups could also wreak havoc, as well, as the former led the team and finished fourth in the conference with 2.2 steals per game.
While it’s always tough to project a true freshman’s role and contributions before the season, Thompson’s infectious energy on and off the court should provide sparks for the Scarlet Knights on offense and defense.