Trey Thompson's Journey: A Year of Growth and Preparation
In the world of college basketball, sometimes the path to the court takes a few unexpected turns. For Iowa freshman Trey Thompson, this season has been all about preparation and patience.
Initially, Thompson was set to join Iowa's 2026 freshman class. However, in a strategic move by head coach Ben McCollum, Thompson reclassified to 2025 to bolster McCollum's first Hawkeye class. Despite high expectations, Thompson has yet to make his debut on the court.
Coach McCollum shared, “We expected him to play this year and contribute significantly. But he wasn’t quite ready defensively, and we didn’t want to waste his eligibility.”
Instead of playing, Thompson has been focusing on building strength and observing from the sidelines. Far from being discouraged, he’s embraced his front-row seat.
“I have the best seat in the house,” Thompson remarked. “I’m right there, seeing Coach Mac in action and watching my best friends play.”
In practice, Thompson has faced challenges from teammates like Alvaro Folgueiras and has had to defend against Bennett Stirtz and Kael Combs. A month-long illness also played a role in the decision to redshirt this season.
Despite these hurdles, Thompson remains optimistic, understanding the importance of playing the long game for a significant role next season.
“He’s developed good habits and continues to do so,” McCollum noted. “When he officially starts his freshman year, he’ll make a real impact.”
Thompson’s illness led to a weight loss of about 10 pounds, but he has been diligently working on his physical transformation. Starting college at around 215 pounds, he aimed to reach 230 and has now surpassed that, weighing in at 233 pounds.
While the pace of Big Ten basketball hasn’t felt drastically different from his AAU days, Thompson acknowledges the increased physicality, emphasizing the need to enhance his defensive skills and muscle mass.
This exposure to college basketball has been invaluable for Thompson. “Getting pushed every day in practice is so beneficial,” he shared. “I’m improving daily with the best assistant coaches, who push and correct me, and we even have some fun along the way.”
Coach McCollum remains confident in Thompson’s potential. Although fans will have to wait a bit longer to see him in action at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the anticipation is building.
“Most kids, given his recruitment level, would struggle with this situation,” McCollum said. “He might not fully understand it yet, but he trusts our process.”
Iowa fans can look forward to seeing Thompson’s growth and contributions in the seasons to come, as he prepares to make his mark on the court.