Thompson was lights out in the opening round game for Bearstail Basketball. The Minnetonka guard simply wasn’t missing when left in space, and playing alongside a talented point guard he did a great job of finding pockets and creating angles for kick-out passes. Defenders quickly recognized Eli as a shooter, so he did a good job of adjusting and starting to throw in some shots fakes before blowing by closeouts off the dribble. Part of a really dangerous up-and-coming group of guards at Minnetonka.

-8 points

-Runs with Bearstail, not Hoop Habits

-Skilled PG & lead guard

-Impressive handles & shake to beat the D, looked good driving & kicking

-Extra-pass swing assist to Beckham for a triple

-Pick-n-pop assist to Barman for a triple

-Deflect pass w/ outside hand, sharp reactions & anticipation

-O-board lefty tip-in on his own miss

-I like his court vision & passing

-Elevated well for O-boards, scrapped it up with bigger players

-Fouled on a putback, cashed both FT’s, took the lead 20-19 w/ 5:14 1st half

-Rejected the PNR, drove right, hit the 15′ middy

-More impressive passes, zipping the ball into tight windows

-Drive & dish to a cutting Honker

-Contested/altered a shot in transition, took away a great look, hard hustle

-Snagged a long O-board

-Another O-board on a long miss, attacked & scored in the paint over the D, extended the lead up to 6 points

-Drive & kick assist to Beckham for a 3ball

-Great hustle, dove on the floor for a loose ball in a tight game

-Extra pass assist to Beckham for a triple

Elliott Thompson was a standout player for Bears Tail 15U that made a significant impact on the game against Pro Skills Dallas 16U from the very start. Offensively, he excels at making plays by going downhill and countering bumps from opposing defenders into scoring angles. Even without the ball, he’s a reliable spot-up shooter, consistently hitting a good number of three-pointers during my evaluation of his game. Defensively, Elliot plays tight defense, applying pressure on opposing ball handlers full court in the press defense that Bears Tail 15U employed. His defensive pressure resulted in numerous steals.

Thompson is another highly talented guard coming out of the MN loaded ’29 class. Elliott is set to make noise this club season running with Bearstail. Ranked as the #2 CG & a Top-20 prospect overall, Thompson has already proven he can compete at a high level. As a frosh at Minnetonka in the always-competitive Lakes Conference, Thompson started multiple games—an impressive accomplishment that speaks to his ability & trust from the coaching staff. He’s a high-level competitor who impacts the game on both ends, bringing energy, toughness & consistency every time he steps on the floor. Thompson is a super-skilled G who fills multiple buckets w/ his athleticism. He can score it, defend & create, but what really stands out is his feel for the game. He does a great job finding the open man & setting up teammates for quality looks, making him a true playmaker. With his combination of skill, athleticism & competitiveness, Thompson is a name to continue watching closely.