Davion Thompson’s Gumption Paid Off For Arkansas In Win Over Gonzaga

FAYETTEVILLE – Davion Thompson should still be in high school. Instead, the 17-year-old freshman guard spent Saturday afternoon knocking down the biggest shot of No. 12 Arkansas’ 76-72 win over No. 15 Gonzaga on Saturday.

With Arkansas leading 70-68 with just over a minute to play, momentum was firmly on Gonzaga’s side. After a paint bucket by Braden Huff and a huge three from Xaivian Lee, the Bulldogs, who had trailed by 11 with 6:46 to go, were within a possession.

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That was until Thompson, who saw plenty of playing time in the second half after an impressive performance in the first half and an injury to Jordan Smith Jr., buried a three to put Arkansas up by five.

It ended up being the dagger in a thrilling exhibition game between the Hogs and Bulldogs that got quite the roar from the home crowd inside Bud Walton Arena – and no crowd pop was larger than the one incurred by Thompson’s shot.

“It’s amazing, man,” Thompson said. “Shot clock going down, and I just felt like I had to go make a play, and the ball went down.”

Billy Richmond, who led Arkansas in scoring with 17 points gave a more practical but less eloquent answer regarding Thompson’s shot.

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“He made the big-time shot, and in a bad situation where they’re coming back and probably on the run,” Richmond said. “But you know, Cal said he got big balls. Cal said he got big balls.”

It was a huge shot in a game full of impressive moments from Thompson, who went 4-7 from the field, 2-4 from three and 2-2 from foul line in 21 minutes of action.

“I’ve had guys like him. Now, here’s what he’s got to do because of how he shoots it: give it up early, and then move, and the ball will find its way to you. It always does. He wants to hold it one extra bounce. I don’t want you to because I want you to get it back.

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“Come down, throw it up early, go away. The ball spins. It comes to you shooting, but it’s hard because he’s always had the ball. He made a couple plays where he drove in and turned it…

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Publish date : 2026-10-25 00:15:00

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