Prospect Spotlight: Keon Thompson (2021)

<h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Keon Thompson – 6'1” | G | Indiana Game | Merrillville High School</strong></span></h2> <p>Keon Thompson is a prospect that is primed for a breakout sophomore season with the Merrillville Pirates. After a strong freshman campaign where he broke into the starting lineup on an 18-8 team that lost in the second round of sectionals, Thompson continued to grow and develop with the Indiana Game program on the Adidas Gauntlet this summer.</p> <p>“I'm trying to develop a jump shot and really work on my body to get in better shape. I feel like I am better going to the basket but I am trying to work on my jump shot so I can have an all-around game.”</p> <p>Keon gets to the basket at will in the half court. The strength of his game is creating for himself and others by breaking down his defender off the bounce. Thompson uses his strength and overall quickness to get to his spots whenever he wants.</p> <p>Thompson plays with great pace whenever he is on the floor. He is the fastest player on the court with and without the ball in his hands. When he pulls down defensive rebounds, the opposition better have rotated a few bodies back on defense or he will be at the basket in seconds. Keon elevates extremely well around the basket and has continuously shown that he can score above the rim in traffic.</p> <p>With his solid skill set and scoring ability around the basket, Keon has set himself up to be the lead guard for Merrillville the next three seasons. They are off to a 4-2 record early this season and he has put together a few strong performances to announce his presence to the entire state.</p> <p>Keon is ready for his moment and wants his play to start doing the talking for him this season. The team is primed for another solid year where they could make a run at a sectional title depending on when they would face Valparaiso.</p> <p>“I have to learn to talk more on the court seeing that most of the time I'm a point guard. I have to keep my foot on the gas and keep the pressure on our offense.” With his ability to get in the lane at will, coaches are starting to gap the driving lanes when he gets the ball in his hands. Keon is putting focus on improving his jump shot to bring his defenders out and make them respect his scoring ability at all three levels.</p> <p>Keon is one of the best athletes at the guard position in all of Indiana and the sophomore is ready to take his abilites to the next level. He has incredibly quick feet and a quick first step that will allow him to be an elite defender on top of his improving offense abilities. “I want to become a more aggressive defender. I have a trainer that's working on my foot work and my side-to-side movements - also want to play the passing lanes more.”</p> <p>Recognition of areas for improvement is one thing, developing them is the next step. “I always watch film of other teams. I'm just getting started with understanding who I'll guard and who will guard me.” Through film, Keon will be able to recognize the in-game opportunities to take advantage of certain situations against certain opponents.</p> <p>As he continues to develop on the offensive end, put more pressure on the opposing guards on the defensive end, and step into a leadership role as the point guard, Keon Thompson will be on a lot of radars by the end of the season. “I'm focusing on creating space, my jump shot, and my dribbling.”</p> <p>“I'll do whatever it takes to get to the next level. I'm the type of person who's willing to compete and give in any way for my team.”</p> <p>Keep Keon Thompson on the radar for the 2018-2019 season as he looks to take a sound Merrillville program to the next level come the postseason next spring.</p> <h4><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Highlight Video via InTheGymHoops</em></span></h4> <p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fWyjmlrvUrc" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>