As a senior, I’m glad I get to write this column.
After three-plus long years, my class can take with us fond
memories of a player whose time in Westwood mirrors ours, a player
who is largely responsible for the most enjoyable year of
basketball we have had.
Thursday night, Dijon Thompson wrote a few more lines of his
page in UCLA’s history book with an awe-inspiring 39-point
performance.
That he will even receive much of a mention in that book is
truly surprising for anyone who has been here following his career
from the beginning.
Before this season, I remembered Thompson mostly for two
things.
First, my jealousy while all the freshmen girls in my dorm went
ga-ga over his “gorgeous eyes.”
And second, there was the infamous USC game last season where in
the final seconds, with UCLA down by two, he missed the free throw
he needed to make and made the one he needed to miss.
Thompson’s lasting impression in my mind from that game
was how much he looked like he didn’t want to be the one with
the ball with the game on the line.
He’s always been a fine player ““ good for
double-digits in scoring and a handful of rebounds.
But Thompson played with a calm, low-key demeanor that has
generally rubbed fans the wrong way.
Before this season, a buddy of mine and I were dissecting the
Bruins’ chances, with most of our focus on the impact of
UCLA’s heralded freshmen.
When the topic turned to Thompson, my buddy claimed that he was
the key to the season and that he had to start playing with passion
and become a leader.
I disagreed. I just didn’t think Thompson had that in
him.
I had always thought that fans wanted too much out of Thompson.
He needed to be appreciated more for his consistent output, but was
never going to be the type of strong-willed personality to carry a
team.
He has proved me thoroughly wrong.
His 39 points Thursday marked the fourth time this year Thompson
has tied or set his career-high in scoring.
His season average in rebounds is more than double his career
average.
And his defense has been nothing short of superb, especially
considering he is playing out of position and undersized at power
forward.
Without Thompson, it’s scary to imagine how few wins UCLA
would have this season. In fact, you could make a solid argument
that he is the most valuable player in the Pac-10.
Thursday, he was trading shoves with Ike Diogu down low,
demanding the ball on offense, and yelling out directions to his
teammates.
“My teammates fed off me,” Thompson said.
“They joined me and helped us keep the lead and build on
it.”
As his point total climbed higher and higher, zooming past his
previous career-high of 29, Bruin fans started chanting
Thompson’s name and cheering every time he touched the
ball.
While his fanbase and popularity have skyrocketed this year, I
feel only we seniors can truly appreciate what he is doing.
Thompson has emerged this season a new player, a player that
there was little inkling of the past three seasons.
While the next few classes may come away from Westwood with
stories of the heroics of Jordan Farmar, Arron Afflalo or Josh
Shipp, I’m glad I can come away with memories of a star that
represents my time in Westwood.