Mychal Thompson facts for kids
Thompson in 2014
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 30, 1955 Eleuthera, Bahamas |
| Nationality | Bahamian / American |
| High school | Jackson (Miami, Florida) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 216 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Minnesota (1974–1978) |
| NBA Draft | 1978 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall |
| Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers | |
| Pro career | 1978–1992 |
| Career history | |
| 1978–1986 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1986–1987 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1987–1991 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1991–1992 | Juvecaserta Basket |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 12,810 (13.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 6,951 (7.4 rpg) |
| Blocks | 1,073 (1.1 bpg) |
Mychal George Thompson (born January 30, 1955) is a Bahamian sports commentator and a former professional basketball player. He was the very first player picked in the 1978 NBA draft. Thompson played as a center for the University of Minnesota. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), he played center and power forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers. Thompson won two NBA championships with the Lakers in the 1980s, during their famous "Showtime" era. He is also the father of basketball players Klay Thompson and Mychel Thompson, and baseball player Trayce Thompson.
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Mychal Thompson's Early Life and Basketball Start
Thompson was born into a Catholic family in Nassau, Bahamas. He grew up playing basketball on local courts, which is where he first fell in love with the game.
As a teenager, he moved to the United States to play basketball at a higher level. He settled in Miami, Florida, and went to Miami Jackson Senior High School. In his final year, 1974, Thompson was part of a starting lineup called the "Jackson 5." This team included him, three other Bahamian players, and one Cuban player. They had an amazing season, winning all 33 of their games and beating opponents by about 30 points per game. They won the Class 4A state championship against Winter Park High School. After high school, Thompson attended the University of Minnesota, where he had a great college basketball career.
Mychal Thompson's NBA Career Highlights
The Portland Trail Blazers chose Mychal Thompson as the first overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. This made him the first player born outside the United States to be picked first in the draft.
Playing for the Portland Trail Blazers
Thompson played for the Portland Trail Blazers for eight years. He started games at both the power forward and center positions. In 1978, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie team, which honors the best new players. His best season was in 1981–82, when he averaged 20.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. In 1987, Thompson was traded to the San Antonio Spurs.
Joining the Los Angeles Lakers and Winning Championships
Thompson played only half a season with the Spurs before being traded again in February 1987. This time, he went to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers got Thompson to be a backup center and power forward. This trade was very important for the 1986–87 Lakers team. They went on to win the 1987 NBA title, beating the Boston Celtics.
Thompson was a great backup player for the Lakers' star center, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In Game 6 of the 1987 NBA Finals, Thompson scored 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, playing 37 minutes to help the Lakers win the championship series.
The Lakers won another championship in 1988, defeating the Detroit Pistons. They also reached the Finals in 1989 and 1991. Thompson was a reliable player for the Lakers during these successful years. He retired from the NBA in 1991.
As of 2022, Mychal and his son Klay are one of only five father-son pairs to have both won an NBA Championship as players. The Thompsons are also one of only two father-son duos to have each won at least two championships. They are the only pair to each win in two years in a row.
Mychal Thompson's Career After Playing
After his playing career, Thompson and his family moved back to Portland in 1991. He worked on local sports radio there. In 2003, he and his family moved back to Los Angeles when he was offered a job as a color commentator for the Lakers. This means he helps describe the game on the radio.
Thompson is currently a radio color commentator for the Lakers. He works with John Ireland to bring the games to fans.
Mychal Thompson's Family Life
Thompson married his wife Julie in 1987. They have three sons: Mychel, Klay, and Trayce. Mychel played briefly in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Klay is a shooting guard for the Dallas Mavericks and has won four NBA championships. Trayce is an outfielder for the New York Mets baseball team.
Thompson has the nickname "sweet bells." A street in Nassau, Bahamas, leading to the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, was named "Mychal Thompson Boulevard" in his honor in 2015.
Mychal Thompson shares the same last name and birthday with twin NBA players Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson. However, Mychal is not related to them.
See also
In Spanish: Mychal Thompson para niños
