Mustangs reunite, strengthen Razorbacks

NATE ALLEN

FAYETTEVILLE — Though both grew up around Forrest City, Trey Thompson and RJ Glasper didn’t play much basketball together except one high school season.

A great season that was for the Forrest City Mustangs. Then senior star big man Thompson of nearby Madison and precocious sophomore guard Glasper led Forrest City to a 25-3 campaign and the school’s first state championship in 2014.

They play together again at the University of Arkansas. Junior forward Thompson and freshman walk-on guard Glasper practice this week with coach Mike Anderson’s Razorbacks as they prep for a four-game exhibition tour of Spain.

While excelling at Forrest City these last two years, leading the Mustangs to last season’s state title, Glasper has kept up with his old high school teammate’s evolution from seldom-played freshman to key sophomore reserve with a big chance this season.

“He is more aggressive,” Glasper said. “You can see he’s more mobile and stronger and looking for his shot more. And I like that. I think we are going to need that. In high school he was one of the biggest kids in state, so I had to play off to him and feed it to him in the post.”

Glasper said Thompson adroitly returned the favor.

“One of the big things about Trey is he is an underrated passer,” Glasper said. “He is a really good passer.”

In Glasper, Thompson sees a walk-on smart enough to know he’s not instantly crashing the veteran guards’ hierarchy yet exudes confidence he will fit in somewhere.

“He’s a hard worker,” Thompson said. “He’s a shooter but he can get everybody involved. He’s a facilitator.” And eager to learn. “It’s fun,” Thompson said of reuniting in college with his old high school friend. “When he asked before he came what it’s like, I told him it’s hard work but I am going to help him out and show him the ropes.”

Thompson learned to show the ropes after after being worked over on the ropes.

He practiced against turned-pro Bobby Portis two seasons ago when Portis was Southeastern Conference player of the year. Last season and again this one he practices against vastly improved senior all-SEC center Moses Kingsley.

“The year vs. Bobby, he helped me a lot,” Thompson said. “I went against him a lot, and I watched how he worked