Purdue guard P.J. Thompson talks to summer basketball campers in the Tiger Den on Thursday.

WARSAW – P.J. Thompson was in his element Thursday.

The Purdue point guard, basketball in hand, shared his knowledge and love of the game with an enthusiastic and attentive group in the Tiger Den.

Thompson, at home on the hardwood, was the guest speaker for the annual Warsaw boys basketball summer camp.

Thompson, a native of Indianapolis, took time out from his busy summer schedule in West Lafayette to make the trip north at the request of Warsaw boys basketball coach Doug Ogle.

“These talks are important to me and something that I enjoy doing,” said Thompson prior to speaking to the campers. “I always want to help kids. I’m fortunate that I get to play Division I basketball.

“I know that I was in their position one day. There were guys who I looked up to when I was young and who were in a position like I’m in now. I never want to forget where I came from.

“I normally just kind of go with the flow with my message. But I tell the kids that they can be me. They can play college basketball if they just put in the work in the classroom and in the gym.”

Thompson, who was an Indiana All-Star in 2014 after his senior season at Brebeuf, helped Purdue go 27-8 this past season. The Boilermakers won the Big 10 regular-season title and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Kansas.

Purdue, which started summer practices earlier this week, will have to replace Caleb “Biggie” Swanigan. Swanigan, a 6-9 power forward who played at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, declared for the NBA Draft after averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds during his magnificent sophomore season. Swanigan, who set a Big 10 record with 28 double-doubles, was the Big 10 Player of the Year and a consensus All-American following the 2016-17 campaign.

“I’m excited for next season,” said Thompson. “It’s my senior year and I get to go out with the guys I came in with. I think that we are going to play a little faster and score even more. We will play hard and play defense like always.

“We had a great team last year and we feel like we are losing the best player in the country in Biggie. It’s going to be a lot for us to replace. I just think that we need to do it collectively as a team.”

Thompson and his Purdue teammates are back on campus now preparing to represent the United States in the World University Games in August in Tapei. It’s an opportunity that the 5-10 backcourt ace is looking forward to for sure.

“Any time that you get the opportunity to represent your country it’s a blessing and an honor,” commented Thompson. “It’s bigger than us. It’s bigger than Purdue. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to be able to do.”

Thompson, after speaking about the importance of academics and work ethic, showcased some of his skills during a few drills for the campers, including those stressing the importance of ball handing. He knows a thing or two about both as he has been selected for the Big 10 All-Academic Team the past two years and had one of the best assist to turnover ratios in the country last season at 3.92.

Thompson started all 35 games this past season for coach Matt Painter’s team. He averaged 7.4 points per game.

“Last season meant a lot to me,” said Thompson. “To get to the Sweet 16 with my hometown team, the first college that recruited me. It was awesome to represent Purdue and represent Indiana.”

Ogle, himself a Purdue graduate entering his 16th season as the WCHS boys basketball head coach, was impressed with his guest.

“P.J. was great today,” noted Ogle. “We really appreciate him taking the time to come here today.”

Thompson, whose father LaSalle played at Indiana State and Ball State and then professionally overseas, has developed a penchant for being a guy who hits big shots at big times in games.

“I definitely have a lot of confidence in my shot,” remarked Thompson, who signed autographs for all the campers following his talk.  “If it’s the right spot, I feel good taking it.”

Just like he felt good, as did his audience, during his visit Thursday.