Tristan Thompson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tristan Thompson

Thompson with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019
Free agent
Centre
Personal information
Born	(1991-03-13) March 13, 1991 (age 34) Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	Canadian / American
High school	d'Youville (Brampton, Ontario) St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, New Jersey) Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nevada)
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
Career history
2011–2020	Cleveland Cavaliers
2020–2021	Boston Celtics
2021–2022	Sacramento Kings
2022	Indiana Pacers
2022	Chicago Bulls
2023	Los Angeles Lakers
2023–2025	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 last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. He has also played for teams like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

Thompson played one season of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns. He was then chosen fourth overall by the Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft. He has also played for the Canadian national team.

High School Basketball Journey

Tristan Thompson was born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. He started high school at St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School in Brampton. To get more exposure and improve his skills, he moved to the United States. He attended Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey.

Thompson quickly became a top player. He was one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation. Later, he transferred to Findlay Prep with his friend Cory Joseph. At Findlay, he helped his team win their first national championship. In his senior year, he led them to another National Championship at the ESPN National High School Invitational. Thompson and Joseph were among the few Canadians to be named McDonald's All-Americans.

College Basketball Career

Thompson played for the Texas Longhorns in the 2010–11 season. 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.

Thompson earned the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award. He also received first-team NABC All-District 8 honors. He led his team in rebounds, blocked shots, and double-doubles. A double-double means a player gets double-digit numbers in two different stats, like points and rebounds. He helped Texas finish with a 28–8 record and reach the NCAA Tournament. After one successful season, Thompson decided to enter the NBA draft. He gave up his remaining college eligibility.

Professional Basketball Journey

Cleveland Cavaliers (2011–2020)

Starting as a Rookie (2011–12)

On June 23, 2011, the Cleveland Cavaliers picked Thompson fourth overall in the 2011 NBA draft. He was the highest-drafted Canadian-born player in NBA history at that time. Later, Anthony Bennett (2013) and Andrew Wiggins (2014) were picked first overall. Thompson signed his first contract with the Cavaliers in December 2011.

He made his NBA debut against the Toronto Raptors on December 26, 2011. He scored 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Thompson and his teammate Kyrie Irving were chosen for the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge. Thompson finished his rookie season averaging 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. This made him the first Canadian to receive this honor.

Improving His Game (2012–13)

In the 2012–13 season, Thompson worked on his shooting. He changed his shooting hand from left to right. He averaged 3.7 offensive rebounds per game, which was fifth best in the NBA. He set a Cavaliers team record with 306 offensive rebounds in one season. He also had 31 double-doubles, which means he reached double digits in two stats in 31 games. He started all 82 games, averaging 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds.

Consistent Performance (2013–14)

Thompson continued to play well in the 2013–14 season. He started all 82 games again. He averaged 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He recorded a career-best 36 double-doubles, showing his consistent effort.

Reaching the Finals (2014–15)

In the 2014 off-season, the Cavaliers added star players LeBron James and Kevin Love. Thompson often came off the bench, bringing energy to the team. He was known as one of the best offensive rebounders in the league. He played in all 82 games and started 15. The Cavaliers made the playoffs for the first time since 2010. When Kevin Love got injured, Thompson became a starter. He helped the Cavaliers reach the 2015 NBA Finals, where they played against the Golden State Warriors. The Cavaliers lost the series in six games.

Winning an NBA Championship (2015–16)

On October 22, 2015, Thompson signed a new five-year contract with the Cavaliers. During the 2015–16 season, he shared the starting center role. On March 26, 2016, he tied a team record by playing in his 361st straight game for the Cavaliers. He broke that record three days later. Thompson helped the Cavaliers reach the 2016 NBA Finals again. This time, they made NBA 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.

Continuing the Streak (2016–17)

On December 26, 2016, Thompson became the first player in Cavaliers history to play in 400 consecutive regular-season games. On April 5, 2017, he missed a game due to a thumb injury. This ended his streak of 447 consecutive games, which was the longest in team history. Thompson helped the Cavaliers reach the NBA Finals for the third year in a row. They faced the Golden State Warriors again but lost the series in five games.

Another Finals Appearance (2017–18)

On November 2, 2017, Thompson was out for several weeks with a calf injury. He returned to play on December 12. In Game 7 of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, Thompson started and had 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Cavaliers made it to the 2018 NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Golden State Warriors.

Dealing with Injuries (2018–19)

Thompson started the 2018–19 season strong, averaging career highs in points and rebounds. However, he was sidelined for several weeks in December with a foot sprain. He returned in January and again in March after missing more games due to the same injury.

Career Highs (2019–20)

On January 9, 2020, Thompson scored a career-high 35 points with 14 rebounds in a win against the Detroit Pistons. He finished the 2019–20 season with career bests in points (12.0) and assists (2.1) per game. He also averaged 10.1 rebounds.

Boston Celtics (2020–2021)

On November 30, 2020, Thompson signed a two-year contract with the Boston Celtics. In 54 games for the Celtics during the 2020–21 season, he averaged 7.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Sacramento Kings (2021–2022)

On August 7, 2021, Thompson was traded to the Sacramento Kings. He played in 30 games for the Kings, averaging 6.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Indiana Pacers (2022)

On February 8, 2022, Thompson was traded to the Indiana Pacers. He played four games for the Pacers. On February 16, he scored a season-high 17 points. After these games, the Pacers and Thompson agreed to end his contract.

Chicago Bulls (2022)

On February 19, 2022, Thompson signed with the Chicago Bulls. He played in 23 games for the Bulls to finish the 2021–22 season.

Thompson was a free agent during the 2022–23 season.

Los Angeles Lakers (2023)

On April 9, 2023, Thompson signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2023 NBA playoffs. He reunited with his former Cavaliers teammate LeBron James. He played in six playoff games for the Lakers.

Return to Cleveland (2023–2025)

On September 12, 2023, Thompson signed a one-year contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He re-signed with the Cavaliers on September 9, 2024. In a game on February 13, 2025, against the Toronto Raptors, Thompson made a dunk late in the game. He finished the 2024-25 season averaging 1.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, which were career lows.

Career Statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

International Play

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

In the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, Thompson averaged 11.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. He led the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in rebounds.

Awards and Honors

• 2016 NBA champion
• 2012 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
• 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans: Associated Press Honorable Mention
• 2011 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 Community Work

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 condition called Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, which causes daily seizures.

In 2013, Thompson started the Amari Thompson Fund. This fund works with Epilepsy Toronto to raise money and awareness for people with epilepsy. Thompson is also a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics. In 2020, Thompson became an American citizen. His mother, Andrea, passed away in early January 2023.

Images for kids

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  Thompson during his rookie season in 2012

• 

  Thompson in January 2019

See also

In Spanish: Tristan Thompson para niños

• List of Canadians in the NBA