Sacramento Kings 2008 Draft Pick – Jason Thompson
Jason Thompson, a senior out of Rider University, was selected by the Sacramento Kings last night with the 12th overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft. Projected to go later in the first round, Thompson’s stock rose to the point where he was taken as a lottery pick by the Kings.
Geoff Petrie, the Kings’ president of basketball operations, on selecting Thompson with the No. 12 pick…
We had considered a small at 12, but as the draft went on, we felt the best place to go was to go big. He was the number one pick at 12 for us if we were going to go big. He is a 20 (point) and 12 (rebound) guy and there was only one other guy like that, and that was (Michael) Beasley. He gives us another young forward that I think will compliment the rest of the people we have such as Spencer (Hawes).
When we first met him he was 6’2’’ in high school or maybe even junior high and was playing point guard. He said ‘but I have these big feet’ so when he got to college he was around 6’4” and then grew to 6’10”. Again, when you see him make plays he really runs well and is really comfortable when he makes plays with the ball. I think that some of that is because he got an early start playing a position that was more of a size for his body at that time.
It is such a gradual process as you work through all of the different players that work into all of the other information and reports you have on people. At some point you have to make a choice. I think we made a good one.
He is a more mature kid and his game is more developed. It is part of our process of trying to rebuild our front line, plus we have other areas we need to work on too, but we can’t do that with just one player, unless Magic Johnson just so happened to be there at number 12, but he wasn’t.
Kudos to the Kings for taking Jason at No. 12…and for their web site staff for putting the following splash page up just minutes after the team made the selection (click image to enlarge):
Tandem With The Random 
I am a Rider grad and have seen Jason Thompson play many times in his 4 years there. He is an excellent all-around play who moves extremely well for a man his size. He is fluid and runs the floor almost like a guard (he started out as one when he was much shorter). He has a nice touch and can shoot the 3 from time to time.
He is a great leaper and rebounder. Also a great shot blocker.
He has a knack for timing his blocks just right.
You will be amazed at how good a ball handler he is for his size.
Sacramento fans will be pleasantly surprised with Jason. I believe he will be a solid pro for many years.
Good pick!!!
This guy has been my sleeper since the beggining of his Sr. year. I thought the Nets would have been a good spot to land as far as team and position, or a good late 1st to early 2ndbut he did not last that long. That was great scouting by the The Kings!! I liken him to a youn Vin Baker or Cliff Robinson.