Could John Thompson Leave Georgetown For the NBA?

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As wild as that sounds, just keep in mind that Tubby Smith left Kentucky for Minnesota. Different situation, I know, but just file it away somewhere.

That being said, the Washington Times claims that one of the NBA's worst teams, the Charlotte Bobcats, have been making overtures in the general direction of the first coach to get the Hoyas back to the Final Four since 1985.

Sources close to Thompson indicated the coach has been approached by several different NBA franchises in the last year, most recently receiving overtures from the Charlotte Bobcats, who are owned by District native and BET founder Robert Johnson.
Those sources also said yesterday Thompson is not immediately interested in acting on those potential offers. But the Final Four serves as an unofficial convention for coaches and athletic directors. Given plum openings such as the Michigan job, more schools might begin knocking on Thompson's door this weekend.

If you're looking for a hole in the story, here's a big one: there isn't a Georgetown senior on the roster who sees significant playing time. The team's two best players, Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, are juniors. Both would be first-round NBA picks if they were to come out; perhaps even lottery picks. In the backcourt, Jessie Sapp is a sophomore, Jonathan Wallace a junior. Forward DaJuan Summers, who had that electrifying breakaway dunk in the overtime win over North Carolina, is a freshman. And there's some decent help on the way in the form of two Top 50 recruits.

Personally, I'd like to see Thompson stick around for a few more years before considering making the leap. Plus, the Bobcats job is a dead-end gig. Even with what appears to be a Top 5 pick, the Bobcats are a couple years away from competing in the Eastern Conference.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-29-2007 @ 6:16AM

Chris Pelaia said...

JT III is not going anywhere. Hibbert and Green are sticking around too. They will be the pre-season number one and restore the dynasty that is Georgetown Hoyas Basketball. I'm sure JT III will renegotiate is contract from 450K to a million a year.

3-29-2007 @ 2:14PM

coach said...

it's interesting to find out who'e spreading the rumor abt. thompson going to the nba. thompson's agent ? the guy is obviously not ready for the nba. this is nothing but a ploy to renegotiate thompson's contract.
geogetown is not one of the schools in the ncaa known to dole out big money to its coach !

3-29-2007 @ 4:21PM

insomniac said...

Jeff Green is sticking around? Is this confirmed or just wishful thinking? His nba draft status will never be higher than it is right now, so he should make the leap.

3-29-2007 @ 9:02PM

basil said...

JTIII isn't going anywhere, and with the job he has done with the Georgetown program in just 3yrs, he should get alot more than just one million. Green is undoubtedly ready for the NBA, but he should stick around for one more year because if he was the star they say he is, he shouldn't pass up so many shots. Jesse Sapp was the guy who got them back in the game against UNC, he did the things that aren't on paper, and Wallace hit the biggest shot of the game. Hibbert shouldn't even think about it the way he got muscled by Tyler Hansbrough. That showed he isn't strong enough yet. Another year in the John Thompson, Jr. bigman camp and he will be ok...

3-31-2007 @ 4:57AM

MMcmahan said...

Well if he goes, so be it, not great loss for anyone. But remember the grass is not always greenier on the other side.........anyways....Go Bucks....beat the hoyas and send him to the NBA, if they want him.