Western Kentucky to add ex-Blackman, Vols player Darius Thompson

Mike Organ Tom Kreager
The Tennessean

 

Virginia guard Darius Thompson (51) is transferring to Western Kentucky. He played at Blackman and Tennessee.

Former Blackman High and Tennessee Vol Darius Thompson is getting closer to home for his final year of college basketball.

Thompson, a 6-foot-4 guard who is a graduate transfer from Virginia, is headed to Western Kentucky, his father told the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee.

"He's coming home," said Darius' father, Lonnie Thompson, the Cumberland University coach. "I think he's a little bit homesick. He won't be far from home in Bowling Green.

"Plus, I've known (WKU coach) Rick (Stansbury) for 30 years so he's comfortable with that."

Darius Thompson played his freshman year at Tennessee before leaving for Virginia after former Vols coach Cuonzo Martin departed for California.

He averaged 6.2 points, 2.2 assists and 1.6 rebounds this past season in 33 games at Virginia. He started 13 contests. He shot 44.8 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from the 3-point line.

He visited four schools — Butler, East Tennessee State, VCU and Western Kentucky — since leaving Virginia, his dad said.

"Darius had 40 offers and he only has this one year of eligibility left," Lonnie Thompson said. "He had more offers than when he was coming out of high school."

ETSU's coaching staff includes former Belmont star Brian "Penny" Collins, who was also an assistant with Lonnie Thompson at Cumberland.

Reach Mike Organ at morgan@tennessean.com and 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter. Reach Tom Kreager at tkreager@tennessean.com or 615-259-8089 and on Twitter @Kreager.