Corny Thompson facts for kids
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 5, 1960 Middletown, Connecticut |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | Middletown (Middletown, Connecticut) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | UConn (1978–1982) |
| NBA Draft | 1982 / Round: 3 / Pick: 50th overall |
| Selected by the Dallas Mavericks | |
| Pro career | 1982–1996 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1982–1983 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 1983–1984 | Detroit Spirits |
| 1984–1990 | Pallacanestro Varese |
| 1990–1994 | Joventut Badalona |
| 1994–1996 | León |
| As coach: | |
| 2011–present | Trotamundos de Carabobo |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Cornelius Allen "Corny" Thompson (born February 5, 1960) is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a tall and strong player, standing 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm) and weighing 225 pounds (102 kg). Corny mostly played as a power forward, but sometimes also as a center. He was a key player for the Joventut Badalona team. With them, he reached the EuroLeague final in 1992 and won the championship trophy in 1994.
Contents
Early Life and Basketball Beginnings
Corny Thompson started playing basketball because he was very tall. People often suggested he try the sport. He was already about 6 feet 5 inches tall before he even got to high school!
He didn't take basketball seriously until middle school. From that point on, Corny worked hard every year. He went to basketball camps and kept getting better and better as a player.
High School Success
Corny went to Middletown High School in Middletown, Connecticut. In his first year, he was so good that he moved straight to the Varsity team. The Varsity coach was Tom Labella.
That year, the team lost only a few games. In his sophomore, junior, and senior years, Corny's team achieved an amazing record. They won 76 games in a row! This record has never been broken. The team also won three State Championships and was ranked among the top 25 basketball teams in the country. Corny was the team captain during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons (1976, 1977, 1978). He still holds many records at Middletown High School.
College Basketball Career
After high school, Corny considered several colleges. He chose to stay close to home and play for UConn. He thought being near his family would be helpful. At UConn, his coach was Dom Perno.
In his first year at UConn, Corny started in every game. The Huskies team even made it to the NCAA Tournament. Corny was the top scorer for the team in all four of his years at UConn. He finished his college career with an impressive 1,810 points and 1,017 rebounds. Corny graduated in 1982 with a degree in Business.
Professional Basketball Journey
Corny Thompson was chosen by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1982 NBA draft. He was the 50th player picked overall, in the third round. He played 44 games with the Mavericks during the 1982–83 season. He averaged about 2.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.
Before his second year with the Mavericks, Corny had a knee injury. Because of this, the team released him. Corny worked hard to get healthy again. He then went to Italy and played basketball for Pallacanestro Varese in the Italian league for six years.
Corny reached his best potential when he played in the Spanish ACB League. He joined the great Joventut Badalona team from 1990 to 1994. With this team, he made it to the FIBA European League final in 1992. Two years later, in 1994, he helped his team win the championship title! He scored the winning 3-point shot in the 1994 final against Olympiacos.
See also
In Spanish: Corny Thompson para niños
