Wilson's Tristan Thompson will play college hoops close to home

FLORENCE , S.C.

-- Wilson star Tristan Thompson will play NCAA Division I basketball close to home, signing a written offer of athletic aid Wednesday with Coastal Carolina.

Wilson's Tristan Thompson will continue his basketball career at Coastal Carolina University.

Last season's Morning News Boys' Basketball Player of the Year, Thompson averaged 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game.

He was a key to the Tigers reaching the SCHSL Class 4A lower-state semifinals.

Also in 2023-24, Thompson was preseason SCBCA elite and postseason Region 6-4A boys' player of the year.

Thompson said Coastal's personal approach made it easy for him to choose the Chanticleers over schools like Florida International, East Tennessee State and UNC Greensboro.

"It felt like family," Thompson said of Coastal's recruiting effort.

"They treated me like I was already one of theirs from the jump -- all the calls, coming to my house, coming to my practices, coming to my games to watch me play." Thompson was then asked how he could contribute during his freshman year at Coastal.

"I bring a hard-working man, somebody who can contribute to the team in different ways," he said.

First-year Wilson coach Yusuf English agrees.

"He's a hard worker, but he's an amazing playmaker," English said.

"He does score points for us; that's what he does.

But he's also amazing with the ball in his hands to make the right decisions.

He always makes the right play, and that's what Coastal told me they love about him so much.

It's that he always makes the right play.

"If it's the pass, he's going to pass it.

If it's the shot, he'll shoot it.

He's an amazing shot maker," he added.

"It's his versatility and his ability to play the game the right way.

That is going to make him a complete asset at Coastal Carolina." As for his upcoming senior season at Wilson, Thompson said he's ready.

"I will probably have a target on my back," said Thompson, who practiced his signature once on Tuesday night.

"People are probably going to try to face-guard me the whole game, but it should be fine." [email protected] Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sports Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items..

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