CHICAGO — Sam Thompson can't explain his legendary leaping ability.
"I've just always been able to jump," said Thompson, a Whitney Young graduate and South Shore native.
The Ohio State senior's vertical leap has been measured at a whopping 46 inches — almost 4 feet. That type of athleticism had led to some scintillating slams, and Sporting News this season named him college basketball's best dunker.
Thompson first dunked as a seventh-grader playing for the Ferrari AAU team at Proviso West High School. It was a two-handed slam during pregame layup line drills.
When his former Mac Irvin Fire AAU coach, Mike Irvin, watched one of Thompson's jams as an eighth-grader, the first player he thought of was Vince Carter.
"I was just like, 'Wow,'" Irvin said. "The was reaction was just, wow. He jumps to the sky."
Thompson, whose Twitter handle is @SlamIAm12, doesn't have a favorite dunk, although an alley-oop jam against Michigan State during his sophomore year ranks near the top.
Justin Breen details Thompson's journey:
Thompson doesn't mind being known foremost as a dunker, but the 6-foot-7 Buckeyes forward also is a tenacious defender. He's averaging 10.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, with 51 assists and 35 steals for the 19-7 Buckeyes, who next face Michigan on Sunday.
"I think I'm a pretty elite defender, a versatile defender, and I think I've made many improvements," Thompson said. "I go out there and try and do what I can do. Whether I'm recognized as just a dunker, it doesn't matter to me, as long as we win basketball games."
Thompson and Irvin believe the former will be selected in the 2015 NBA draft. Irvin said he's always thought Thompson had first-round talent.
"I think Sam will do better in the NBA than in college," Irvin said. "His game is better equipped for the NBA. His potential is through the roof.
"With Sam, I hope that he gets to the next level and hope he’s able to perform the way everybody in Chicago is hoping he can perform," Irvin added.
And, if Thompson makes it to the NBA, he said "it would be a dream come true."
"It's just a matter of working hard and continuing to improve every day," he said.
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