Thompson-Kary not only excels on the court, but also in the classroom.
Athlete and student, Senior Deondré Thompson-Kary proves he can balance the world on the tip of his finger. Photo by Henna Dannek
Coming into TJ, Deondré Thompson-Kary had a set of skills that made him stand out.
Growing up playing basketball, football, and baseball, Deondré clearly dominated at football and basketball, but says that growing up he mainly played baseball. “I started playing baseball when I was four and continued playing until the 7th grade. I also played football and basketball. Once I got to middle school I played basketball and football. Then my 8th grade year at Hamilton they created Futures, which was basically a feeder team for the high school you were thinking about going to,” states Deondré. Going into high school, he set goals for himself that exemplified his character. His pursuit of perfection made him stick out to the coaches, and earned him a spot in both the basketball and football programs.
Originally from Illinois, Deondré knew he would be a Spartan. “I lived close to TJ so naturally that’s where I went. At TJ you aren’t just a student; teachers know you when you walk through the halls, which is a great feeling. The past four years have basically made me a nicer person and given me the ability to communicate a lot more,” explains Deondré.
As a senior, Deondré has received three athletic letters in football and one so far for basketball. He was a captain on the football team and played a multitude of positions for the Spartans. His positions include wide-receiver, A-back, and punter. Assistant Head Coach Matthew Nicolo described Thompson as being an important asset to the team since he was such a versatile player. “Physically, he’s become a beast. Other teams definitely had to account for him in their game plans. He can be a dominant player when he wants to be,” stated Nicolo. Throughout his football career Thompson says he has learned to be humble with playing, as it can be taken away in an instant.
In the winter season, Deondré plays basketball for the Spartans. He is a Forward and hopes to improve with his senior year campaign. “Deondré knows what is expected of him. He helps younger players with drills and consistently is a leader. Not only is he dependable, but whenever he is called upon he provides stability for the team,” states Head Coach Grant Laman.
Deondré says he loves playing basketball for TJ and has played all fours years. This year there are a lot of seniors on the team who have also been playing with Deondré since his freshman year. “I really enjoy all the guys on the basketball team. They all support me and my endeavors,” says Deondré.
Thompson not only portrays excellence through athletics, he also is a standout in the classroom. Thompson has been on the honor roll all four years and has taken Honors and Advanced Placement classes throughout his high school career. Like many other seniors, Thompson is weighing his options for college and has narrowed his top three choices to Colorado State University, Kansas State University, and Texas Christian University. His achievements in the classroom have coincided with his hard work and dedication he has shown on the football field and basketball court. Deondré will be remembered at TJ for his superior athletic ability in football and basketball, along with his academic perseverance.
