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Choudrant Aggie becomes a Louisiana Tech Bulldog

Lachlan Thompson embraces role as walk-on for coach Talvin Hester
Friday, January 31, 2025
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Former Choudrant High basketball standout Lachlan Thompson has embraced his role as a valuable walk-on for Louisiana Tech. Photo by Kane McGuire

WhenLachlan Thompson stepped onto the hardwood at the Thomas Assembly Center, it was the culmination of a dream that started in a small gym just 10 miles away.

The former standout at Choudrant High School, Thompson has made the leap of a lifetime from being a local, small-town basketball player to walk-on for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs – getting his shot to live out his Division I basketball dream.

The transition didn’t come without its challenges, but Thompson’s hard work, determination and love for the sport made an impression on his new coaches and teammates, so much so that they felt he deserved a shot.

Louisiana Tech head coach Talvin Hester commented on the former Aggie for the contribution he’s made to the team so far.

“He’s been very dependable. He’s been reliable,” Hester said. “For a kid that was not around any of these guys, he comes in and he talks in practice, and he talks on defense. He’s kind of a selfless guy. I’ve liked having him around. He’s been a really good walkon for our team. I could see him staying around for a little bit.”

The Bulldogs found themselves in a tough situation early in the season when injuries left them short- handed during practices. That’s when Thompson’s opportunity presented itself after Will Jeffress tore his PCL and Sean Elkinton battled a leg injury. Tech needed someone to step in and fill the roster.

“We had a lot of injuries, and it was coming to the point where we couldn’t practice,” Hester explained. “We had held walk-on tryouts, but only two or three people showed up. The only one that could work out was Lachlan because he had all of his stuff together.”

Thompson made an immediate impression with the staff.

“Afterwards, I asked the guys, ‘How was it?’ And they said, ‘ Well, coach, he can help us practice.’ And I said, ‘OK. Let’s bring him here and let him sit through practice,’” Hester recalled.

Thompson’s basketball journey began at Choudrant, where he was a key player for the Aggies, known for his athleticism and competitive demeanor on the court, along with an effective shot that connected from distance and mid-range with ease. Despite taking a break from competitive play after high school, his love for the game never wavered.

“It had been a year since I had played competitively,” Thompson said. “I was dead tired, but even with how tired I was I just remember how fun it was getting back into it.”

The love for the game is what kept him so motivated through challenging practices, condition drills, and work outs. While many would be intimidated by the faster place and demanding level of competition of the DI level, Thompson sees basketball as more than just a sport; it’s his quiet place when everything else in the world seems so loud.

“Basketball is one of those things that if I was having a hard time in school I could escape for a minute and it just be me and the basketball,” he shared.

Thompson credits much of his growth and love for the game to the strong support system he had while at Choudrant.

“I’m just so thankful for the people I met there,” Thompson said. “ Choudrant is such a small school – it just seems like a big family.”

That sense of community and support has fueled his approach as a Bulldog. Whether it’s pushing his teammates in practice or being a positive presence on the bench, he’s embraced his role as a walk-on with pleasure.

“It’s about getting myself to a point to where I can help the team get better,” Thompson said. “Improving myself not to just improve myself but the people around me.”

His story is just beginning at Louisiana Tech, and there’s a good chance he’ll continue to get more opportunities with the Bulldogs as time goes on.

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