University of North Texas Athletics
Thompson Earns Sun Belt Player Of The Week Honors
12/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON, Texas (12/9/08) North Texas guard Tristan Thompson was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week after etching his name into the Mean Green record books in back-to-back career games.
The sophomore averaged 20.5 points per game on 13-of-15 (86.7 percent) shooting in NT’s wins over Sam Houston State and New Mexico State. Thompson started the week by be­coming the first player in recorded North Texas history to have a perfect shooting night (min. five attempts from the field and free throw line) by going 6-of-6 from the floor, 2-of-2 from 3-point and 6-of-6 from the stripe for 20 points.
He followed that performance with 21 points on 7-of-9 (77.8 percent) shooting, including 2-of-2 from deep and a 5-of-6 outing from the line. As a matter of fact, Thompson went on a streak in these two games where he made a combination of 15 straight free throws and field goal attempts.
The award is the first for Thompson and the first for North Texas in this young season. The Mean Green brought home a league-high four Sun Belt Player of the Week awards last year.
Thompson and the Mean Green have shown an ability to get to the free throw line, which is why NT has found itself on the winning side of three 2-point ballgames this year. Only five teams in the nation have more free throw attempts and makes than the Mean Green. Thompson has made more free throws than any other North Texas player, and is tied for the team high in attempts with 40.
North Texas has started the year at 6-2 for a third straight season, and takes a week off before returning to action against Houston Baptist on Monday Dec. 15 at the Super Pit.
