George Thompson (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 29, 1947 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | June 8, 2022 (aged 74) |
| High school | Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Marquette (1966–1969) |
| NBA Draft | 1969 / Round: 5 / Pick: 66th overall |
| Selected by the Boston Celtics | |
| Pro career | 1969–1975 |
| Career history | |
| 1969–1972 | Pittsburgh Pipers / Condors |
| 1972–1974 | Memphis Tams |
| 1974–1975 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1975–1978 | Flamengo |
| 1979 | Club Municipal |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career ABA and NBA statistics | |
| Points | 8,114 (18.6 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,457 (3.3 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,561 (3.6 apg) |
George Thompson (born November 29, 1947 – died June 8, 2022) was an American professional basketball player. He was a tall player, about 6 feet 2 inches, and played as a guard. He went to Erasmus Hall High School and finished in 1965.
After high school, George went to Marquette University. There, he played basketball for coach Al McGuire. George was an amazing scorer for Marquette. He held the school's all-time scoring record for 40 years! He also held the record for the most points per game in a single season (over 20 points per game) for 50 years. This record was finally broken by another great player, Markus Howard.
Playing in the Pros
George Thompson was chosen by the Boston Celtics in the fifth round of the 1969 NBA draft. However, he started his professional career in a different league. He joined the Pittsburgh Pipers in the American Basketball Association (ABA). The ABA was a new basketball league at the time.
ABA Career Highlights
George played for five seasons in the ABA, from 1969 to 1974. During this time, he also played two seasons with the Memphis Tams. He was so good that he was chosen as an ABA All-Star three times! This means he was one of the best players in the league for those years.
George holds a special ABA record. He attempted 30 free throws in a single game, which is the most ever in an ABA game.
Moving to the NBA
After his time in the ABA, George Thompson played one season in the NBA. He joined the Milwaukee Bucks for the 1974–75 season.
Throughout his career in both the ABA and NBA, George scored a total of 8,114 points. He also grabbed 1,457 rebounds and made 1,561 assists.
Awards and Honors
George Thompson received many awards and honors for his basketball skills:
- In 2001, he was chosen for the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
- In 2013, he was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.
- He is also in the Marquette Hall of Fame, which honors great athletes from Marquette University.
- In October 2016, he was inducted into the Brooklyn New York Hall of Fame.
George Thompson passed away on June 8, 2022. He died from problems related to diabetes.
See also
In Spanish: George Thompson (baloncestista) para niños
