Alba Berlin grows with Thompson signing

Alba Berlin bolstered its frontcourt for the upcoming Turkish Airlines Euroleague season by inking power forward Deon Thompson to a one-year deal, the club announced Sunday. Thompson arrives from Union Olimpija, where he averaged 8.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 10 Euroleague games last season. He helped Olimpija to win the Slovenian Cup. Thompson started his professional career with Ikaros Kallitheas, where he averaged 14.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 25 Greek League games in the 2010-11 season.. He ranked second in rebounds and third in blocks and helped Ikaros to finish 10th in its Greek League debut season. Thompson has a solid college career at the University of North Carolina (NCAA). He helped the Tar Heels to win the NCAA Tournament title in 2009 and reach the final four in 2008. Thompson also lifted back-to-back Atlantic Coast Conference titles in 2007 and 2008. He has also been a member of the United States’ under-19 and under-21 national teams. “Deon Thompson is a young, promising center that also play at the power forward spot. He has already proved his value in Ljubljana and Kallithea,” Alba head coach Sasa Obradovic said. “Deon will help us in many ways and play an important role in the team. I expect a lot from him and am glad that we could sign him.”