Former Jayhawk Bryce Thompson flourishing at Oklahoma State

Bill Self has recruited his fair share of five-star high school players, but not all of them have developed into his best players. In fact, Kansas is known for turning lesser-known prospects into impressive four-year players.

Bryce Thompson was a five-star recruit out of Booker T. Washington high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He won Oklahoma’s Gatorade Player of the Year in consecutive years, eventually committing to the Jayhawks as the No. 21 ranked player in the country.

His time in Lawrence was one to forget. A player who was expected to bring an instant impact, constant injuries were his downfall as a freshman. He posted just 4.1 points in a little more than 17 minutes per game before transferring to fellow Big 12 foe, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, as a sophomore.

Now that he is in an environment where he can receive consistent playing time, Thompson has been a very good player for the Cowboys. He has blossomed into a solid 3-and-D combo guard for an Oklahoma State team that lacks shooters.

His 38.6% three-point clip is the best on the team, and he ranks second in points per game with 11.2. He still has his struggles, shooting 53.2% from the free-throw line. Thompson was not able to experience the feeling of winning a National Championship last season with Kansas, but still contributes plenty for one of the better defensive squads in the country.

The Jayhawks square off against the Cowboys tonight in Stillwater. During their last outing, Thompson torched KU by sinking seven threes and 23 points.

Containing Thompson and his streaky jump shot will be one of the keys to coming out of this road matchup victorious. His Valentine’s Day gift to the Jayhawks could be a poor shooting night.

KU’s 2020-21 season was all over the place, between the COVID-19 pandemic and inconsistent play from everyone. Had Thompson joined the team at a different time, he might have been able to become the potential first-round pick they expected him to be. Still, it seems as though Thompson has found a home in Stillwater, and he has steered his career back on track.