Nov. 13, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern men's basketball coach Bill Carmody is continuing his pipeline of Chicago-area recruits and further strengthened that today with the signing of Mike Capocci (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East) and Michael Thompson (Chicago, Ill./Lincoln Park) -- two of the top players in the state of Illinois -- to National Letters of Intent to play for the Wildcats. Both will be eligible to compete beginning next season.
Thompson is one of the top prospects in the state by numerous publications. He has all the tools of a point guard with good shooting range and quickness to help him thrive at the Big Ten level. Last season he averaged 19 points, seven assists and five steals as a junior at Lincoln Park High School in Chicago.
"First off, Michael Thompson is coming from Lincoln Park, one of the best schools and programs in Chicago," Carmody said. "He has been very well coached and has thrived in the leadership role on a team with other very good players. He's a sparkplug and brings a toughness and high basketball IQ that will help his transition into the Big Ten."
Capocci also ranks in the top 10 in the state according to Chicagohoops.com. A 6-6 forward with excellent range, Capocci averaged 20 points and nine rebounds as a junior last season for Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Ill.
"Mike Capocci is an explosive athlete who can step out and hit long range shots," Carmody said. "Like Thompson, he's highly rated in the area and has played against top competition. We're looking for Mike to step in and give us a much-needed presence on the backboards.
"It's also significant that both Mikes are Chicago-area guys -- one from the Public League and one from the suburbs. There is such great talent here and we want the best players to know that they can stay close to home and still get a top ten education while playing in the country's best conference. With this year's freshmen and now the two Mikes, we have a collection of kids that are the foundation of a strong local recruiting base here at Northwestern."
The two signings bring the total number of Chicago-area signees in the last four years to five. Thompson and Capocci join Sterling Williams (Whitney Young), Jeremy Nash (Marist) and Jeff Ryan (Glenbrook South) as the latest Chicago natives to signees in recent years. Also hailing from the Chicago area is junior-transfer Jason Okrzesik (Fenwick) along with Joe Kennedy and Matt Steger, both from Loyola Academy.
Complete biographies below:
Michael Thompson
5-10, 165, Point Guard
Chicago, Ill./Lincoln Park
High School: Rated the No. 10 prospect in Illinois by Chicagohoops.com ... One of the state's premier scorers at his position ... Has a quick release and an accurate outside shot ... Averaged 19 points, seven assists and five steals last season ... Named the MVP of the St. Rita Holiday Tournament after averaging 22 points and five assist in four games ... As a junior he was a fourth-team all-city selection and first team all-conference ... Led his team to a 16-12 record and a third place finish in the league ... Also a first-team all-conference selection as a sophomore ... Has career highs of 34 points and 12 assists ... High School coach is Tom Livatino ... Member of the Rising Stars AAU team four years, playing along side fellow recruit Mike Capocci this past fall ... Also considered Bradley, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Illinois State and Middle Tennessee State.
Personal: Born Michael Jovan Thompson on 2/9/89 ... Parents Gina and Joel Thompson ... Undecided on a major.
Mike Capocci
6-6, 190, Forward
Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East
High School: Rated the sixth-best prospect in the state by Chicagohoops.com ... Averaged 20 points and nine rebounds as a junior at Glenbard East ... Good size and excellent long range shooter ... As a junior Capocci was the DuPage Valley Conference Player of the Year and the DuPage County Player of the Year ... Third Team all-State selection ... Named the MVP of the Lemont Christmas Classic after averaging 26 points and nine rebounds ... Led his team to a 19-9 record as a sophomore and a 24-4 mark last season ... Led his team to the sectional semifinals both years ... Has posted career highs of 35 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in his junior season ... As a sophomore was a unanimous all-conference, all-DuPage county and a honorable mention all-state selection ... Also named to the District 87 all-tournament team ... High school coach is Scott Miller ... Member of the Illinois Defenders AAU squad for four years and also the Rising Stars this past fall, playing along side fellow recruit Michael Thompson ... Also considered Wyoming and Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Personal: Born Michael William Capocci on 9/2/88 ... Parents are Robert and Meredith Capocci ... Undecided on a major.