T.J. Thompson

Biography

T.J. Thompson enters his fifth season as an assistant coach at Rutgers in 2025-26 and his seventh season overall with the Scarlet Knights. A First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection and four-year starter at George Washington University under head coach Steve Pikiell, Thompson has quickly developed a reputation as one of college basketball’s rising coaching talents. Since joining Rutgers, Thompson has cultivated strong relationships with players and has become an integral part of recruiting, player development, and program growth. During the 2024-25 season, Rutgers recorded its highest-scoring offense in 32 years, averaging 76.6 points per game. In 2023-24, the Scarlet Knights maintained one of the nation’s best homecourt advantages, finishing 12-5 at home with sellouts for every game. In 2022-23, Rutgers became the first team in school history to achieve four consecutive winning seasons and reached postseason play for a third straight year. Thompson played a key role in Rutgers’ return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in consecutive seasons since 1976 during the 2021-22 campaign. He has also established himself as one of Rutgers’ top recruiters, securing the program’s first five-star recruit under Pikiell. Thompson has helped identify talent nationwide, contributing to the recruitment of players including point guard Geo Baker (New Hampshire). Pikiell on Thompson’s hiring: “We are very excited to welcome T.J. and his wife Ilima to the Rutgers family. I was fortunate to c