Thompson leaves Southeast basketball program to be closer to family

Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt has been busy trying to fill what was expected to be the Redhawks' final scholarship.

Now Nutt has an additional scholarship available after guard Derek Thompson recently left the program.

Thompson said Saturday that he returned to his native Detroit to be closer to his ailing mother. He raved about his one year at Southeast but felt his family needed him more.

"It was pretty much an emergency situation," said Thompson, a freshman for the Redhawks in 2009-10. "I couldn't live with myself if I didn't [go home].

"I was happy at SEMO. I loved the community, the coaching staff, the players. I was pleased with the way everything was going. It was strictly a situation where I had to make a move and be here for my family."

The 6-foot-3 Thompson had a solid rookie season for Southeast last year as he twice was named the Ohio Valley Conference freshman of the week.

Thompson was the Redhawks' fifth-leading scorer with an 8.4 points-per-game average and was second in made 3-pointers with 47. He led Southeast in scoring seven times, including a career-high 23-point performance.

"Naturally we're very disappointed, but we certainly understand his personal reasons," Nutt said. "We certainly appreciate his efforts and all his hard work."

Thompson said he hopes to continue playing Division I basketball closer to home. He said he is in the process of contacting several colleges in Michigan.

Southeast currently has 10 players on scholarship, including Missouri transfer Tyler Stone. He will have to sit out the campaign under NCAA transfer rules but can practice with the Redhawks.

Nutt said he still is looking to fill Southeast's final two scholarships.

One other roster change that had not been announced previously is KaJuan Watson no longer being in the program.

Watson was a walk-on guard who averaged 2.5 points and 7.7 minutes while playing in 15 games off the bench last season. Nutt said Watson has transferred to Division II Henderson (Ark.) State.

Coaching clinic set

Southeast will hold a coaching clinic Oct. 7 at the Show Me Center.

University of Kansas coach Bill Self, John A. Logan College coach Mark Imhoff and former Scott County Central High School coach Ronnie Cookson will be the keynote speakers.

Cost of the clinic is $50 per person and lunch will be provided. The clinic, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., is open to the public and coaches of all levels.

"I'm really excited. It's going to be a great day of basketball," Nutt said. "Mark Imhoff has done an incredible job on that [the junior college] level, then you look at the legendary Ronnie Cookson and then Bill Self, a national championship winner."

Nutt and Self, both Oklahoma State graduates, were on the same coaching staff at that school in the 1980s. Nutt said they have remained close friends.

For more information about the clinic, call 651-5030.