Butler basketball’s all-time assist leader Aaron Thompson is returning to the program as director of player development on first-year coach Ronald Nored’s staff.
Thomspon returns to Butler after three seasons at George Washington. Thompson joined GW as the director of player development in 2023. He was elevated to assistant coach the following season.
“Watching AT play, you knew he had a bright future in coaching,” Nored said in a release. “He will build strong relationships with our players and push them to maximize their potential. In addition to his experience in skill development, AT also has the intangibles that we hope will permeate throughout our program: how to lead a team on the court, a tenacious defensive approach, and a selfless attitude focused on winning. It’s great to have AT back at Hinkle where he belongs.”
Thompson embraced his role as a lockdown on-ball defender under former Butler coach LaVall Jordan, typifying “The Butler Way” with the unselfish way he played the game. For his career, Thomspon averaged of 6.8 points, 4.1 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
Thompson played one season of professional basketball with Phoenix Hagen of the ProA League in Germany after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft. Thompson played 14 games with Phoenix Hagen before embarking on his coaching career.
The Glenn Dale, Maryland, native ranks first all-time with 566 assists and he finished his Butler career ranked ninth all-time with 155 steals. Thomspon was also one of 10 semifinalists for the 2020 Naismith men’s defensive player of the year award.
Thompson joins a coaching staff with assistant coaches Jon Diebler, Jalen Courtney-Williams and Emerson Kampen. Tony Bollier returns as general manager while also adding assistant coaching duties to his role. Matt Frederick will serve as Nored’s chief of staff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler basketball’s all-time assist leader joining Ronald Nored’s first staff
Reporting by Akeem Glaspie, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
