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Tristan Thompson
Tristan Thompson (48885525837) (cropped).jpg
Thompson with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019
No. 13 – Cleveland Cavaliers
Center
Personal information
Born (1991-03-13) March 13, 1991 (age 34)
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Nationality Canadian / American
High school
Listed height 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight 254 lb (115 kg)
Career information
College Texas (2010–2011)
NBA Draft 2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Pro career 2011–present
League NBA
Career history
2011–2020 Cleveland Cavaliers
2020–2021 Boston Celtics
2021–2022 Sacramento Kings
2022 Indiana Pacers
2022 Chicago Bulls
2023 Los Angeles Lakers
2023–present Cleveland Cavaliers
Career highlights and awards
  • NBA champion (2016)
  • NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2012)
  • Second-team All-Big 12 (2011)
  • Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2011)
  • Second-team Parade All-American (2010)
  • McDonald's All-American (2010)
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Canada
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
Bronze 2008 Formosa Team competition

Tristan Trevor James Thompson (born March 13, 1991) is a Canadian professional basketball player. He plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Tristan won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. He has also played for teams like the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Before joining the NBA, Thompson played one season of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns. The Cavaliers picked him fourth overall in the 2011 NBA draft. He has also played for the Canadian national team.

Early Basketball Career

High School Journey

Tristan Thompson was born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. He started high school at St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School. Later, he moved to the United States to attend Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey. He wanted to play against better competition and get more attention from college scouts.

Tristan quickly became a top player at St. Benedict's. He was considered one of the best recruits in the country. He decided to play for the Texas Longhorns in college. Later, he transferred to Findlay Prep and helped them win their first national championship. In his senior year, he led Findlay to another National Championship. Tristan and his friend Cory Joseph were among the first Canadians to be named McDonald's All-Americans.

College Success at Texas

In the 2010–11 season, Tristan played for the Texas Longhorns. He averaged 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. His teammates voted him the team's Most Valuable Player. He was also a finalist for the Wayman Tisdale Award, given to the best freshman player in the nation.

Tristan was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He led his team in rebounds and blocked shots. He helped Texas finish with a strong 28–8 record. They also made it to the NCAA Tournament. After his successful freshman year, Tristan decided to enter the NBA draft. He gave up his remaining college years.

Professional NBA Career

Cleveland Cavaliers: Early Years (2011–2014)

On June 23, 2011, the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Tristan Thompson as the fourth overall pick. He was the highest-drafted Canadian-born player in NBA history at that time. Another Canadian, Cory Joseph, was also drafted in the first round that year. This was only the second time two Canadians were picked in the first round of the same NBA draft.

Tristan made his NBA debut on December 26, 2011, against the Toronto Raptors. He scored 12 points and had 5 rebounds. He was later named to the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge. Tristan finished his first season averaging 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds. He earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. He was the first Canadian to receive this award.

In his second season (2012–13), Tristan worked on his game. He changed his shooting hand from left to right. He became known for his offensive rebounds, getting 3.7 per game. This was fifth best in the NBA. He also set a Cavaliers record for most offensive rebounds in a season with 306. He started all 82 games that season, averaging 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds. He had 31 double-doubles, which means he reached double figures in two stats (like points and rebounds) in one game.

For the 2013–14 season, Tristan continued to start all 82 games. He averaged 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds. He had a career-best 36 double-doubles that season.

Championship Season and Finals Runs (2014–2018)

In 2014, the Cavaliers added star players LeBron James and Kevin Love. Tristan often came off the bench. He was a key player for his energy and great offensive rebounding. He averaged 8.5 points and 8 rebounds. The Cavaliers made the playoffs for the first time since 2010. When Kevin Love got injured, Tristan became a starter. He helped the Cavaliers reach the 2015 NBA Finals. They played against the Golden State Warriors but lost in six games.

On October 22, 2015, Tristan signed a new five-year contract with the Cavaliers. During the 2015–16 season, he shared the starting center position. On March 26, 2016, he played in his 361st consecutive game for the Cavaliers. This tied a team record. He broke the record three days later. Tristan helped the Cavaliers reach the NBA Finals again. This time, they made history by coming back from a 3–1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors. They won the series in seven games, bringing a championship to Cleveland after 52 years.

On December 26, 2016, Tristan became the first player in Cavaliers history to play in 400 consecutive regular-season games. His streak of 447 consecutive games ended on April 5, 2017, due to a thumb injury. He returned for the last game of the regular season. The Cavaliers reached the NBA Finals for a third straight year. They faced the Golden State Warriors again but lost the series in five games.

In the 2017–18 season, Tristan dealt with a calf injury. He returned in December 2017. In Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs, Tristan started and had 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Cavaliers reached the 2018 NBA Finals, but they were swept by the Golden State Warriors.

Later Years with Cleveland (2018–2020)

At the start of the 2018–19 season, Tristan was playing very well. He was averaging career highs in points (12.0) and rebounds (11.6). However, he missed time due to a left foot sprain. He returned in January 2019.

On January 9, 2020, Tristan had a career-high game. He scored 35 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a win against the Detroit Pistons.

Moving to Other Teams (2020–2023)

On November 30, 2020, Tristan signed with the Boston Celtics. He played there for one season.

On August 7, 2021, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings. He played 30 games for them.

On February 8, 2022, Tristan was traded to the Indiana Pacers. He played four games for the Pacers before they agreed to end his contract.

On February 19, 2022, Tristan signed with the Chicago Bulls.

On April 9, 2023, Tristan signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. This reunited him with his former Cavaliers teammate LeBron James.

Return to Cleveland (2023–Present)

On September 12, 2023, Tristan Thompson signed a one-year contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On September 9, 2024, he re-signed with the Cavaliers.

Career Statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Cleveland 60 25 23.7 .439 .000 .552 6.5 .5 .5 1.0 8.2
2012–13 Cleveland 82* 82* 31.3 .488 .000 .608 9.4 1.3 .7 .9 11.7
2013–14 Cleveland 82 82* 31.6 .477 .000 .693 9.2 .9 .5 .4 11.7
2014–15 Cleveland 82 15 26.8 .547 — .641 8.0 .5 .4 .7 8.5
2015–16† Cleveland 82* 34 27.7 .588 — .616 9.0 .8 .5 .6 7.9
2016–17 Cleveland 78 78 30.0 .600 .000 .498 9.2 1.0 .5 1.1 8.1
2017–18 Cleveland 53 22 20.2 .562 — .544 6.6 .6 .3 .3 5.8
2018–19 Cleveland 43 40 27.9 .529 — .642 10.2 2.0 .7 .4 10.9
2019–20 Cleveland 57 51 30.2 .512 .391 .615 10.1 2.1 .6 .9 12.0
2020–21 Boston 54 43 23.8 .518 .000 .592 8.1 1.2 .4 .6 7.6
2021–22 Sacramento 30 3 15.2 .503 1.000 .533 5.4 .6 .4 .4 6.2
Indiana 4 0 16.4 .542 — .375 4.5 .5 .0 .5 7.3
Chicago 23 3 16.3 .565 .000 .542 4.7 .6 .5 .3 5.7
2023–24 Cleveland 49 0 11.2 .608 .000 .288 3.6 1.0 .2 .3 3.3
Career 779 478 25.8 .521 .256 .597 8.1 1.0 .5 .7 8.7

Play-in

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Boston 1 0 29.6 .444 — .500 12.0 2.0 1.0 .0 12.0
Career 1 0 29.6 .444 — .500 12.0 2.0 1.0 .0 12.0

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015 Cleveland 20 15 36.3 .558 — .585 10.8 .5 .3 1.2 9.6
2016† Cleveland 21 21 29.6 .527 — .575 9.0 .7 .4 .9 6.7
2017 Cleveland 18 18 31.2 .587 — .667 8.3 1.4 .5 .7 8.2
2018 Cleveland 19 11 21.9 .590 .000 .741 5.9 .6 .1 .4 6.2
2021 Boston 5 5 26.4 .588 — .706 9.8 1.0 .8 1.2 10.4
2022 Chicago 5 0 7.6 .400 — — 1.6 .4 .2 .0 .8
2023 L.A. Lakers 6 0 5.4 .455 — .200 1.7 .3 .0 .0 1.8
2024 Cleveland 10 0 8.7 .438 — .500 2.0 1.0 .1 .5 1.5
Career 104 70 25.2 .557 .000 .617 7.2 .8 .3 .7 6.5

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Texas 36 34 30.7 .546 .000 .487 7.8 1.3 .9 2.4 13.1

International Play

Tristan Thompson has proudly represented Canada in basketball. He played for Canada Basketball at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in 2008. Canada won the bronze medal in that tournament. Tristan also competed for Canada at the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship.

At the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, Tristan averaged 11.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. He also played in a qualifying tournament for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Awards and Honors

  • 2016 NBA champion
  • 2012 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
  • 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans: Associated Press Honorable Mention
  • 2011 United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District VII Team
  • 2011 USBWA Freshman All-America Team
  • 2011 All-Big 12 Second Team
  • 2011 Big 12 All-Defensive Team
  • 2011 Big 12 Freshman of the Year
  • 2011 Big 12 All-Freshman Team

Personal Life and Family

Tristan Thompson was born in Ontario, Canada. His parents are from Jamaica. He is the oldest of four sons. His youngest brother, Amari, has a neurological disorder that causes seizures.

In 2013, Tristan started the Amari Thompson Fund. This fund works with Epilepsy Toronto. It helps raise money and awareness for people affected by epilepsy. Tristan also works as a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics.

In 2020, Tristan became an American citizen. His mother, Andrea, passed away in early 2023.

Images for kids

  • Tristan Thompson Cavs vs Wizards (cropped)

    Thompson during his rookie season in 2012

  • Tristan Thompson against the Portland Trail Blazers (cropped)

    Thompson in January 2019

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tristan Thompson para niños

  • List of Canadians in the NBA
  • List of people banned or suspended by the NBA
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