University of Georgia Athletics
Thompkins, Ware Sign With Bulldogs
November 15, 2007 | Men's Basketball
ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia basketball coach Dennis Felton on Wednesday announced the signing of a pair of highly-rated prospects to national letters-of-intent to attend Georgia and play next year for the Bulldogs: Howard Thompkins, a forward from Lithonia, Ga., and Dustin Ware, a guard from Powder Springs, Ga.
Thompkins, at 6-8 and 220 pounds, is currently a senior at the Wesleyan School in Norcross, Ga. Online recruiting services Scout.com and Rivals.com currently rate him as the No. 7 and No. 10 power forward prospect in the country, respectively.
“Howard is one of the very best power forwards in the country, and he fills one of our needs perfectly in that he can score from anywhere on the floor, including 3-point range,” Felton said. “His ability to face up and shoot the 3’ and handle the ball will add a needed dimension to our frontcourt. It will make us a more explosive team offensively.”
Thompkins played his junior year at national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. He averaged 15.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, shooting 67 percent from the field, in leading the Warriors to a 40-1 record and a Top Five national ranking.
Ware, a 6-foot, 155-pound point guard, is in his senior year at North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw. He averaged 17.2 points and 7.3 assists per game in leading his team to the Class AAA championship of the Georgia Independent School Association last year. He was a ninth-grader when NCCS also won the GISA state title.
Ware is the 34th-best point guard prospect in the nation, according to Rivals.com.
“Dustin represents the definition of a pure point guard,” Felton said. “He’s quick and impossible to keep out of the paint. He is a pass-first distributor who creates scoring opportunities and makes his teammates better. Just as important, Dustin possesses outstanding leadership qualities that are critical to a team.”
Thompkins and Ware are Georgia’s first two signees of the early national signing period, which began today and ends next Wednesday, Nov. 21. “We are just thrilled to add Howard and Dustin to our family, and I can’t say enough good things about them,” Felton said. “I expect both of them to make outstanding impacts within our program.”
Thompkins, at 6-8 and 220 pounds, is currently a senior at the Wesleyan School in Norcross, Ga. Online recruiting services Scout.com and Rivals.com currently rate him as the No. 7 and No. 10 power forward prospect in the country, respectively.
“Howard is one of the very best power forwards in the country, and he fills one of our needs perfectly in that he can score from anywhere on the floor, including 3-point range,” Felton said. “His ability to face up and shoot the 3’ and handle the ball will add a needed dimension to our frontcourt. It will make us a more explosive team offensively.”
Thompkins played his junior year at national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. He averaged 15.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, shooting 67 percent from the field, in leading the Warriors to a 40-1 record and a Top Five national ranking.
Ware, a 6-foot, 155-pound point guard, is in his senior year at North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw. He averaged 17.2 points and 7.3 assists per game in leading his team to the Class AAA championship of the Georgia Independent School Association last year. He was a ninth-grader when NCCS also won the GISA state title.
Ware is the 34th-best point guard prospect in the nation, according to Rivals.com.
“Dustin represents the definition of a pure point guard,” Felton said. “He’s quick and impossible to keep out of the paint. He is a pass-first distributor who creates scoring opportunities and makes his teammates better. Just as important, Dustin possesses outstanding leadership qualities that are critical to a team.”
Thompkins and Ware are Georgia’s first two signees of the early national signing period, which began today and ends next Wednesday, Nov. 21. “We are just thrilled to add Howard and Dustin to our family, and I can’t say enough good things about them,” Felton said. “I expect both of them to make outstanding impacts within our program.”
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