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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooner Profile: Amanda Thompson
December 09, 2007 | Women's Basketball
NORMAN, Okla. -- Amanda Thompson has had a number of learning experiences since arriving on campus last fall.
A Chicago native, Oklahoma introduced a completely different environment from the big-city lifestyle she was used to. College presented a more rigorous class schedule along with many other demands of being a student-athlete. On the basketball court, the pace of the game was much faster and required a lot more conditioning. On top of all that, Thompson suffered a severe shoulder injury midway through her freshmen season that prevented her from playing at full strength.
Despite so much change, Thompson overcame it all and actually became more effective as the year went on, starting the final nine games of the season on her way to being named to the All-Big 12 freshman team.
She excelled at a time when the odds were stacked against her.
Back at full strength this year, Thompson has even higher expectations for herself. She has grown accustomed to the more laid-back lifestyle in Oklahoma and has learned how to balance school with basketball. Forced to sit out nearly six months over the offseason following shoulder surgery, she also learned how to contribute to the team in other ways and became a vocal leader. Though only a sophomore, Thompson has the maturity of a senior and clearly is someone the rest of her teammates look up to.
We recently sat down with Amanda to discuss her first year-and-a-half in Norman. Make sure to watch the entire interview to learn some of the many nicknames she has accumulated, including why her teammates call her "The Waitress".
On the seriousness of her shoulder injury last year and how she was still able to be effective:
"It was really serious, actually. I didn't know how bad it was until I had the MRI. I played like everything was OK but naturally I was really in pain. I tore some ligaments and knocked some stuff off in there but I think it was all for the better because now my jumpshot feels better."
On the rehab process and how she handled not being able to be out on the court every day:
"I had surgery right after the season in April and I was out for about six months. It was a long rehab process. I started the day out of surgery getting my flexibility back and just trying to get the strength up to be able to use my shoulder. It was difficult to have to sit out and watch everybody play but it gave me the opportunity to help my teammates vocally. It actually helped me learn some things about the game I didn't know, so it was a positive experience."
On how it feels to be back at full strength:
"It feels really good. I'm excited and I'm happy that I can shoot the ball and rebound like I used to. I thought I wasn't going to be able to but I got my strength back up and I'm ready to go at full effect."
On what it was like growing up in Chicago:
"It was a busy lifestyle. I liked my childhood and everything. I got a chance to experience what the city life was like. I didn't really know about the country until I came out here but it's been a nice transition. It's a little slower pace out in Norman but I like both and I'm enjoying myself while I'm out here."
On how she ended up at Oklahoma:
"In the whole recruiting process I paid attention to each school and Oklahoma stuck with me through everything, from start to finish. I stuck with them and I came out here on a visit, loved it and since then I never left."
On the biggest adjustment she's faced moving to a completely different environment:
"It's actually better. I'm used to being around a lot of people, but it's actually good there's not as many people because you just get to chill for a little bit. I like it."
On the biggest thing she learned in her first season of college basketball:
"I learned a lot last year as far as getting in shape, eating right, being in good condition, learning plays and just playing at the college level speed. I didn't know a lot of that last year. I knew some because I had a great high school coach but there are a lot of things you don't know until you get to the next level. I just learned, listened and took that opportunity to make myself better for this year."
Her advice to this year's newcomers on how to balance the demands of being a student-athlete:
"The first thing is organization. You need to get yourself organized, have all your papers and together and tests and just know when to do things just as far as time management. Once you have those few things down everything will work out for the best."
On her personal goals for this season and expectations for the team:
"A lot of my teammates look at me as a leader so I try to be a leader out there as much as I can. I want to guide my teammates and also take in what everyone else has to say. I just want to play like I want to and need to and help my teammates out to get to that No. 1 goal."
A Chicago native, Oklahoma introduced a completely different environment from the big-city lifestyle she was used to. College presented a more rigorous class schedule along with many other demands of being a student-athlete. On the basketball court, the pace of the game was much faster and required a lot more conditioning. On top of all that, Thompson suffered a severe shoulder injury midway through her freshmen season that prevented her from playing at full strength.
Despite so much change, Thompson overcame it all and actually became more effective as the year went on, starting the final nine games of the season on her way to being named to the All-Big 12 freshman team.
She excelled at a time when the odds were stacked against her.
 "It actually helped me learn some things about the game I didn't know, so it was a positive experience." |
We recently sat down with Amanda to discuss her first year-and-a-half in Norman. Make sure to watch the entire interview to learn some of the many nicknames she has accumulated, including why her teammates call her "The Waitress".
On the seriousness of her shoulder injury last year and how she was still able to be effective:
"It was really serious, actually. I didn't know how bad it was until I had the MRI. I played like everything was OK but naturally I was really in pain. I tore some ligaments and knocked some stuff off in there but I think it was all for the better because now my jumpshot feels better."
On the rehab process and how she handled not being able to be out on the court every day:
"I had surgery right after the season in April and I was out for about six months. It was a long rehab process. I started the day out of surgery getting my flexibility back and just trying to get the strength up to be able to use my shoulder. It was difficult to have to sit out and watch everybody play but it gave me the opportunity to help my teammates vocally. It actually helped me learn some things about the game I didn't know, so it was a positive experience."
On how it feels to be back at full strength:
"It feels really good. I'm excited and I'm happy that I can shoot the ball and rebound like I used to. I thought I wasn't going to be able to but I got my strength back up and I'm ready to go at full effect."
On what it was like growing up in Chicago:
"It was a busy lifestyle. I liked my childhood and everything. I got a chance to experience what the city life was like. I didn't really know about the country until I came out here but it's been a nice transition. It's a little slower pace out in Norman but I like both and I'm enjoying myself while I'm out here."
On how she ended up at Oklahoma:
"In the whole recruiting process I paid attention to each school and Oklahoma stuck with me through everything, from start to finish. I stuck with them and I came out here on a visit, loved it and since then I never left."
On the biggest adjustment she's faced moving to a completely different environment:
"It's actually better. I'm used to being around a lot of people, but it's actually good there's not as many people because you just get to chill for a little bit. I like it."
On the biggest thing she learned in her first season of college basketball:
"I learned a lot last year as far as getting in shape, eating right, being in good condition, learning plays and just playing at the college level speed. I didn't know a lot of that last year. I knew some because I had a great high school coach but there are a lot of things you don't know until you get to the next level. I just learned, listened and took that opportunity to make myself better for this year."
Her advice to this year's newcomers on how to balance the demands of being a student-athlete:
"The first thing is organization. You need to get yourself organized, have all your papers and together and tests and just know when to do things just as far as time management. Once you have those few things down everything will work out for the best."
On her personal goals for this season and expectations for the team:
"A lot of my teammates look at me as a leader so I try to be a leader out there as much as I can. I want to guide my teammates and also take in what everyone else has to say. I just want to play like I want to and need to and help my teammates out to get to that No. 1 goal."
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