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What the Standford Cardinals are getting in 4-star small forward Jaylen Thompson

KJ Smithby:KJ Smith•09/23/21•

K30SMITH

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Jaylen Thompson / Player submitted photo

Jaylen Thompson, a 6 foot 7, 180-pound senior small forward out of Southern California Academy in Alameda, California, committed to Stanford earlier this month. Here is a look at what the Cardinal are getting from the talented Thompson.

Shooting From Range

Jaylen Thompson has significant potential in his game, primarily because of his shooting ability. His high shooting percentage from deep creates space on the floor, allowing driving opportunities for teammates. Thompson shoots over the defenders with ease since he is 6-7. He will also pump-fake, put the ball on the floor, and shoot the mid-range jumper if he gets overplayed. 

Big Man Wingspan

Thompson’s wingspan is over 7 feet long, which is the most noticeable trait at first glance on the court. He uses his long arms to break up passes, block shots, and force ball handlers into turnovers on the defensive side. On offense, he uses his incredible length to shoot over defenders, get hook shots up in the lane, and attack the boards. 

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Offensive Glass Cleaner

When Thompson is down in the post, he uses his size and wingspan to generate second-chance opportunities. His slim frame is slippery navigating traffic to collect offensive rebounds. Do not underestimate Thompson’s strength though, as he is still able to battle through contact to finish at the rim. Thompson also has a knack for drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line.

Thompson NBA comparison

 OG Anunoby was unranked out of high school but is now the starting small forward for the Toronto Raptors. Jaylen Thompson is a diamond in the rough and a great find for the Stanford Cardinal. His game is similar to that of Anunoby because of their shooting ability, offensive IQ, and aggressiveness at the rim. Anunoby, an almost 38% 3-point shooter, uses his ability to stretch the defense to get towards the edge or get the ball to open teammates. He crashes the boards with a purpose when a shot goes up, using his length to get around defenders just like Thompson.