It has now finally come to an end in a long, winding recruiting bonanza for gifted 6-foot-3 senior combo-guard Sammy Barnes-Thompkins. After first verbally committing to St. John's University this spring, and then deciding to re-open his college recruitment after a coaching change, Thompkins has found a new home for himself and it is another big one - this time in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Thompkins took an official recruiting visit to Saint Mary's College this past weekend, one of the nation's premier programs for producing quality guards, and while it looked as though Thompkins was headed to play for head coach Randy Bennett, Thompkins changed his mind after taking another official recruiting visit to Boston College during the middle of this week.
Thompkins would schedule the visit after leaving Saint Mary's over the weekend. He would then arrive on the Boston College campus on Tuesday and enjoyed the visit enough to give the school's coaching staff a signed national letter of intent.
Thompkins advised us that he was tired of the recruiting process and really wanted to get it all over.
"I wanted to make my decision, so I could start focusing on school," said Thompkins. "I really liked the program and I really saw how I fit in there."
Thompkins had recently planned to visit Kansas State, USC and Nevada., but then had a change of plans and took an official recruiting visit to Saint Mary's College over the weekend.
Congratulations to Sammy and his family on this amazing accomplishment, and good luck to him in his future after overcoming some serious hurdles in his senior season. Our staff here at Arizona Preps wishes him the best.
Thompkins is a full NCAA academic qualifier.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Already possessing a college-ready body, Thompkins’ physical size, strength and shooting stroke are glaring attributes for him as a guard prospect. He is capable of playing both guard positions on the floor, which makes him a versatile prospect and valuable to his team. A big-time scorer, Thompkins proved last spring and summer that he can also run a team effectively, and rises to the level of his competition. A good ball handler that does not waist dribbles and makes quick decisions with the basketball. A good passer with good court vision, although he can still improve in this area of his game. A potential lock-down defender at the next level. Among the better guard prospects in the West.
