James Thompson IV Honored as MAC Freshman of the Year

CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Mid-American Conference announced today, March 8, that freshman James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist) was named the MAC's Freshman of the Year in a landslide. Thompson earned 33 of a possible 38 first place votes on his way to becoming the first member of the EMU basketball program to earn the award since Lorenzo Neely was named the conference's best freshman back in 1988. In addition, the Baton Rouge, La. native became just the second Eastern Michigan student-athlete to earn the award.

"James has been the most impactful freshman I've coached throughout my career," remarked Eastern Michigan Head Men's Basketball Coach Rob Murphy. "JT's work ethic with continued growth could allow him to become one of the best ever to garb the Green and White."

Thompson has continually proven that he is one of the best freshman, not only in the MAC, but in the country during the 2015-16 campaign. Thompson is currently averaging 14.8 points per game, good for 10th in the league, while leading the conference in rebounds at 10.6 per contest. Overall this season, Thompson has connected on 64.6 percent of his field goal opportunities which is the highest mark in the conference, while his 46 blocks is the third-highest total in the MAC. The 6-foot-10 center has corralled 340 total rebounds this year which is the fifth-most in a single season in EMU history, while his field goal percentage ranks second-best in a single campaign.

In addition, Thompson has recorded 18 double-doubles on the year, which is the best in the conference. His 475 points scored this season is the most by an EMU freshman, breaking his teammate, Raven Lee's, former record of 380 points, which was set two seasons ago. His 18 double-doubles ranks seventh in a career at EMU, while the freshman also tied an NCAA record when he made 26 consecutive field goals earlier this year, which was broken later this season. Thompson was also the first Eagle to be named the All-MAC Second Team since Brandon Bowdry. Bowdry was named to the second team in 2009, 2010 and 2011, while earning All-Freshman honors in 2007-08. He is just the fourth All-Freshman team award winner in EMU history, as well as the first Eagle to be named to both the All-Freshman and All-MAC Second Team in the same season.

The Eagles take on the No. 1 seed in the 2016 Mid-American Conference Men's Basketball Tournament presented by VisitMyrtleBeach.com, the University of Akron in the quarterfinals, Thursday, March 10. The game will tip off the second round as the Green and White will hit the hardwood against the Zips at noon inside the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Quicken Loans Arena, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

MAC Freshman of the Year (First Place Votes)
James Thompson IV, Eastern Michigan, Center (33)
Marshawn Wilson, Northern Illinois, Guard (2)
Josh Williams, Akron, Guard (2)
C.J. Massinburg, Buffalo, Guard (1)

*26 member media panel and 12 head coaches voted on MAC specialty awards

Players Mentioned

Ray Lee

James Thompson IV

Eastern Michigan Athletics