Salesian High Pride coach Bill Mellis has had some great teams and players over the years. Mellis graduated Desmond Simmons and Devon Montgomery from his team last year that went 32-3 and finished with a 54-50 loss to St. Mary's of Berkeley in the NorCal semifinals. According to Mellis, Simmons and Montgomery were four year varsity players for him who had accumulated 104 career victories. For the upcoming year, guard Bryce Thompson will enter the season as the only four year varsity senior with 84 career victories. If the Pride matches two-thirds of last year's win total, Thompson will leave Salesian as the all-time leader in career victories.
At 6-foot-2 and 165 pounds, Thompson considers himself a floor general at the guard spot because he is vocal on the court and keeps his teammates focused but can still score if needed. As the No. 22 ranked player in the NorCalPreps.com 2011 boys basketball rankings, Thompson averaged 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. He has a 38 inch vertical and can squat 250 pounds.
This Pride has been playing basketball since he was nine years old. His favorite move is the "Tim Hardaway" crossover move that can free him up with the shaky defender while his favorite dunk is the two-handed windmill. Thompson compares his game to that of former Kentuck star Rajon Rondo because he does whatever it takes to get the win, which include scoring, getting teammates involved, and winning the hustle plays. Coach Mellis says, "Bryce's strengths are shooting the 3, defense, using his quickness and boxing out. However, I think his best asset is how hard he plays and how he adds to the overall energy of our team. In the most basic of descriptions, he is an energy guy who has a tremendous work ethic."
During this past summer, he has been working to improve all aspects of his game. He played with his Los Angeles based Team Odom club team. He also spent hours working out by himself and with his basketball trainer, Glenn Graham. Thompson, who has a competitive streak in him, hopes that his efforts will help him lead Salesian to a state championship while earning him a scholarship. In addition to him, the Pride will have Dominic Artis, Jabari Bird, Davion Mize, and Freddie Tagaloa to pursue the state title.
When Thompson started playing basketball, he was often positioned as a small forward. He felt that he was out of position and only started playing point guard in high school. Regardless, he has put in the time to be a college level point guard. In addition to being discipline enough to improve his basketball skills, Thompson has the discipline to be a good citizen. Thompson says, "Lots of temptation surrounds me like drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other things that could make me ineligible or even more trouble. But I've been blessed to have good guidance and mindset throughout my life to stay focused on my main goals."
BT (what his teammates call him) is getting ready for big time NCAA basketball after his last year at Salesian. Cal Poly, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, San Diego, and UC Davis have contacted him and he is still open in terms of his favorites.
Thompson wants to play for a program that runs an up tempo game. He prefers the program to be situated in sunnier weather. Academically, Thompson has a 3.20 GPA and 1310 SAT. He wants to attend a program that has solid academics. Thompson's favorite/best subjects are Math, Physics, and Drama while he plans to major in Electrical Engineering.
Thompson comes across as being grounded and mature despite being a star basketball player on the Salesian campus. Coach Mellis says, "He is very likeable and very popular around campus. He has a great way of becoming friends with all different types or groups of students. Also, he is trying to take on more of a leadership role now that he is a senior, both on the basketball team as well as around campus as he has gotten a little more involved with different groups on campus."
If all goes well for Thompson, look for him to become the Salesian all-time basketball victories leader, winning state title, and receiving offers at the NCAA level this upcoming year.
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