The Washington Demons best returning boys’ basketball player could be a matchup nightmare for opponents this season. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing nearly 200 pounds, senior Thomas Bump looks like a prototypical high school forward.

However, Bump models his game after many of his favorite professional basketball players, all of which are guards. “I like Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Kobe Bryant and Russell Westbrook.” Bump said.

Bump, a first team all-conference selection last year, averaged nearly 13 points and four rebounds per game during his junior season.

Head coach Bryce Smeins says he plans on using Bump as a guard this year, and recognizes what type of problems he can create. “He can shoot it pretty well, can dribble the ball right or left, has pretty good jumping ability, and can be creative under the basket.” Smeins said, “He is a very tough matchup and we are going to need him to be our team leader on both sides of the floor.”

Bump and the Demon boys’ basketball team opens up the 2014 season on Tuesday at Tim Grady Gymnasium against rival Mi-Prairie. You can catch the girls’ and boys’ double header between the Demons and Golden Hawks on AM and FM KCII and on KCIIradio.com Tuesday evening.