Rising senior forward J.T. Thompson will miss the 2010-11 basketball season
because of a torn ACL in his left knee, according to The Roanoke Times.
Thompson was slated to be Virginia Tech’s sixth man this season. He was the
team’s fourth leading scorer in 2009-10, averaging 7.3 points per game and
pulling down 4.6 boards per contest. He was even more productive in ACC games,
averaging 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds.
Thompson is perhaps Virginia Tech’s most energetic player on the court.
Despite being an undersized 6-6 power forward, he routinely outperforms many of
his bigger opponents.
This is a huge blow to the basketball team, which is also expected to lose
the services of Florida transfer Allan Chaney due to a heart ailment. Though
Chaney has never taken the court for the Hokies, he was an impressive practice
player last season while redshirting, and VT basketball insiders believed he was
as good or better than Jeff Allen. Chaney is expected to miss the entire season.
Losing two post players like Chaney and Thompson place Virginia Tech in a
critical position with regards to post depth. Regular wings such as Terrell Bell
(6-7, 205, Sr.), Manny Atkins (6-7, 200, So.) and Jarell Eddie (6-7, 209, Fr.)
will have to see time at the power forward position this coming season.
Thompson will redshirt this season, and return as a r-senior in 2011-12.
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