Courtney Thompson is no stranger to the spotlight.
The 5鈥�9鈥� guard from Saint John, NB has been a starter every year since joining the Tigers in 2010. She was named to the AUS all-rookie team back in 2011, and was named an AUS second team all-star this year as she finished third in the AUS with 17.0 points per game and third in assists with 3.6 assists per game.
She wasted no time making a name for herself leading the Tigers in scoring her rookie season, while leading the team in minutes played.
Thompson provided an outside scoring punch for the Tigers, and used her shooting stroke to stretch the defense as she dished it inside.
On the line
But it wasn鈥檛 just her shooting stroke that turned heads this season, and it wasn鈥檛 her passing ability. It was her ability, with everyone in the crowd with their eyes fixated on her, to hit free throws.
Thompson wasn鈥檛 just good this season. She was unbelievable from the line. She shot an astounding 94.2% (81-86) this season, missing only five shots all season long from the charity stripe. (Heading into this season, Thompson shot an already respectable 78.8% from the line.)
How great is this number? She led the AUS and CIS in free throw percentage this year. Lethbridge University鈥檚 Ali Cameron, who was second with 92.9%, made less than half the free throws that Thompson did.
Her 94.2% is the best in the AUS since data has been available (since 2006). Let鈥檚 compare that to some records from around the basketball world:
路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Steve Nash鈥檚 best percentage of his career - 93.8% (Phoenix Suns, 2009-2010)
路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 CIS Men鈥檚 leader Thomas Scrubb - 91.7% (Carleton Ravens, 2013-2014)
路聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Tigers men鈥檚 leader Derek Norris - 79.2% (鲍鱼tv Tigers, 2013-2014)
It would also rank as the tenth best NBA regular season percentage of all time, ahead of greats like Larry Bird, LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
鈥淚 believe my mental preparation has a lot to do with my success,鈥� says Thompson. 鈥淣o matter what the situation is in the game or practice, I always follow the same routine and shoot the same shot.鈥�
Commitment to success
Coach Anna Stammberger couldn鈥檛 say enough about her fourth-year guard.
鈥淐ourtney is a court general, playmaker, a scorer and a competitor every time she steps on the hardwood,鈥� adds Stammberger. 鈥淪he never gets rattled and no matter how tough things get she just keeps competing.鈥�
Thompson鈥檚 shooting was something the Tigers could count on all year, as they struggled with consistency and focus playing their way to a 10-10 record. Being a true team player, Thompson didn鈥檛 even realize how hot she鈥檇 been from the line until late in the season, when family and friends started to realize the historic season that she鈥檇 been having.
Her impact wasn鈥檛 just on the court, as she helped keep the Tigers focused when things got tough.
鈥淐ourtney is a great example of mental toughness. She brings leadership because she has great knowledge of the game,鈥� says teammate Tessa Stammberger. 鈥淪he聽also brings聽leadership because she聽is sometimes聽demanding when it is necessary, but she is聽also understanding when it is needed.鈥�
The young Tigers squad sported seven rookies this year, and will look to build on this season鈥檚 experience as they work to move up in the standings next year.
鈥淭he number one thing is her knowledge of the game and perspective on everything聽as being our starting point guard,鈥� adds Robbi Daley. 鈥淗er confidence and toughness are an asset as well and helps the younger girls as she is a great leader on the floor and they look up to her.鈥�
As for Thompson, she knows that to be successful when the AUS regular season begins next November, the work begins now.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to be hitting the weight room and I鈥檒l be on the court, continuing to work on my game,鈥� explains Thompson. 鈥淚鈥檒l keep taking countless amounts of foul shots to keep my consistency high, while I work on other aspects of my game.鈥�
Thompson will be one of many veteran returning Tigers including Tessa Stammberger, Robbi Daley, Ainsley MacIntyre and Rebecca Nuttall that will try and come out on top of the AUS which will no longer be dominated by Justine Colley and the powerhouse Saint Mary鈥檚 Huskies.聽