Montgomery to IUPUI

[brewer]

Apparently it's all nice and official.

http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/236442-6892-036.html



IUPUI will receive help from pair of transfers

By Jeff Rabjohns
[email protected]
April 13, 2005

A former Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Star and one of the top junior college scorers in the nation are transferring to IUPUI.

Austin Montgomery, a 2003 All-Star from Perry Meridian High School, is transferring from Bowling Green. James Thompkins, a Ben Davis graduate who was the second-leading scorer in junior college's top division last year, is coming to IUPUI from Lake Land College in Illinois.

Montgomery must sit out the 2005-06 season under NCAA Division I transfer rules. Thompkins is immediately eligible. Both have two years of eligibility remaining.

The spring signing period for college basketball begins today and runs through May 18.

Thompkins, a 6-5, 220-pound shooting guard and small forward, averaged 26.5 points and shot 63.6 percent from the field last year. His stock soared after strong all-star game performances. He picked IUPUI after receiving interest from Louisville, Nebraska, UAB, Southern Miss and Long Beach State.

"Most of all, it's right at home, and that's always good," Thompkins said Tuesday. "They were the first school right out of high school to show me a little bit of love. They showed me they were interested. It's a real good program that's coming up."

Montgomery, 6-4 and 175 pounds, could play either shooting guard or small forward. His playing time at Bowling Green dropped from 14.7 minutes per game as a freshman to 7.1 last season. His scoring average dipped from 4.7 points per game to 1.8.

He said he didn't see himself as the right fit for coach Dan Dakich's half-court motion game.

"I was looking for a school that's more up-tempo, and a head coach and a coaching staff that looks to put up the (3-pointer) 20 to 25 times a game," Montgomery said. "I think that's what I found in IUPUI."

Montgomery scored 1,481 career points at Perry Meridian, and averaged 20.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists as a senior.

The two players join 6-7 Andy Hampton of Shelbyville High School in the recruiting class for the Jaguars, who finished 16-13 last season after back-to-back 20-win seasons.

Angelo Smith, a 6-9 forward from Lawrence North who transferred from Xavier last year, goes on scholarship this year. Those four fill IUPUI's four available scholarships.

College coaches cannot comment on transfers until the school receives a national letter of intent or official transfer papers.

Call Star reporter Jeff Rabjohns at (317) 444-6183.

[Falconboy]

What did I tell ya! It appears as though I had it pegged down to a tee. Montgomery was obviously bored and tired of running our slow down half-court offense that is pretty much anemic at times. I'm not surprised at all. The thing is why did he come here in the first place if he knew at all that this is what DD runs here at BG? Thats what burns me.

[BGDrew]

Best of luck to him!

[Metz]

This is kinda sad because I thougth next year was his year but I wish him the best of luck. I'm hooking him up with an Anderson Animals t-shirt, too to show my appreciation for playing here!

[BGSU33]

I knew it was too good to be true to "imagine" us getting through the off-season without losing more players......I am so sick and tired of this trend, no matter who the players are that are leaving.

[Falconfreak90]

I knew it was too good to be true to "imagine" us getting through the off-season without losing more players......I am so sick and tired of this trend, no matter who the players are that are leaving.

33,
It is VERY frustrating....I wish Austin the best.

Hopefully the revolving door closes for a while.

[Warthog]

I knew it was too good to be true to "imagine" us getting through the off-season without losing more players......I am so sick and tired of this trend, no matter who the players are that are leaving.

33,
It is VERY frustrating....I wish Austin the best.

Hopefully the revolving door closes for a while.

Given that we have four signees for next year already, and could possibly add up to three more, I see the door flying wide open when some guys aren't happy with their playing time. Just my opinion.

[1987alum]

I just love saying eww-eee-poo-eee ...