Tristan Thompson
Encyclopedia
Tristan Trevor James Thompson (born March 13, 1991 in Brampton
, Ontario
) is a Canadian basketball
player who played for the 2010–11 Texas Longhorns men's basketball team
. He is 6'9" and weighs 225 pounds. Thompson plays as a power forward
. He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
4th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft
.
in Brampton. After driving from Brampton twice to visit a prep school in the United States
, he decided to attend Saint Benedict's Preparatory School
in Newark, New Jersey
for his sophomore year along with fellow University of Texas at Austin
commit Myck Kabongo
. He cited the increase in exposure and skill level as his reason for transferring schools.
Thompson spent his sophomore and half his junior year at St. Benedict's, making an immediate impact and showing flashes of brilliance throughout the way. In his short time at St. Benedict's, he shot through the ranks to super-stardom, becoming the top recruit in the nation entering his junior season. The top basketball programs in the nation heavily sought Thompson, who made the first verbal commitment of the class of 2010 to Rick Barnes
and the Texas Longhorns.
21 games into his junior year, the relationship between Thompson and then-St. Benedict's coach-Dan Hurley
hit a rough patch. Hurley's in-your-face, no holds barred coaching style took a toll on the young star. During a game against then-top-ranked Mater Dei
, Hurley confronted Thompson during a time out. A heated debate ensued, and Thompson was sent off the court and later removed from the team. Over the next few days he made it known that he was planning to leave, resulting in a barrage of calls from the top prep schools throughout North America
, all trying to acquire the top recruit's services. The next week he transferred to Findlay Prep with his friend, AAU teammate and future Texas Longhorn Cory Joseph
.
Thompson joined Findlay on the back end of their schedule, making an immediate impact on the team and thriving under Findlay Coach Michael Peck
's system and coaching style. Thompson solidified his top recruit status and helped lead Findlay to their first National Championship. He continued to round and polish his skills his senior year in preparation for college and continued to hold fast to his commitment to the University of Texas, officially signing his letter of intent on November 11, 2009. Thompson then led his team to another National Championship at the ESPN National Championship Invitational. After their senior year, Thompson and Joseph were the third and fourth Canadians to be named McDonald's All-Americans, and Thompson also was named a Jordan Brand Classic All-American.
Sources:
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Texas
| 36 || 34 || 30.9 || .546 || .000 || .487 || 7.8 || 1.3 || 0.9 || 2.4 || 13.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 36 || 34 || 30.9 || .546 || .000 || .487 || 7.8 || 1.3 || 0.9 || 2.4 || 13.1
at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship
in 2008 where Canada won the bronze medal placing behind Argentina and the United States. Thompson once again competed for Canada, this time at the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Auckland
, New Zealand
along side his good friend, high school teammate and Texas commit Cory Joseph.
by the Cleveland Cavaliers
, making him the highest drafted Canadian born and bred player in NBA history. He continued to make history drafted along side his former teammate and roommate since high school Cory Joseph
who went 29th pick overall to the San Antonio Spurs
making it the first time two Canadians were drafted in the first round of the same draft, as well as the first time three Texas Longhorn basketball players went in the first round of a draft when his former collegiate teammate Jordan Hamilton
went 26th overall to Dallas Mavericks
.
During the 2011 NBA Lockout, Thompson attended classes at the University of Texas to continue his education.
Brampton
Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada.Brampton may also refer to:- Canada :* Brampton, a city in Ontario** Brampton GO Station, a station in the GO Transit network located in the city- United Kingdom :...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
) is a Canadian basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who played for the 2010–11 Texas Longhorns men's basketball team
2010–11 Texas Longhorns men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Texas Longhorns men's basketball team represented the University of Texas in the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Rick Barnes, who was in his 13th year. The team played its home games at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas and are members of the...
. He is 6'9" and weighs 225 pounds. Thompson plays as a power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
. He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
4th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft
2011 NBA Draft
The 2011 NBA Draft was held on June 23, 2011 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The draft started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball...
.
Early life
Tristan was born in Brampton, Ontario, and is also the eldest of four sons of Trevor and Andrea Thompson. His brother Dishawn Thompson currently plays high school basketball in Canada where he is a highly rated prospect.High school career
Thompson started his high-school career playing basketball at St. Marguerite D'Youville Secondary SchoolSt. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School is a school in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. It is a high school located in Brampton, Ontario.-Location:...
in Brampton. After driving from Brampton twice to visit a prep school in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he decided to attend Saint Benedict's Preparatory School
Saint Benedict's Preparatory School
Saint Benedict's Preparatory School is a college preparatory school in Newark, New Jersey, United States. It is an all-boys, secondary school located on a urban campus serving students in the seventh through twelfth grades...
in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
for his sophomore year along with fellow University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
commit Myck Kabongo
Myck Kabongo
Myck Kabongo is a Canadian college basketball player for the University of Texas Longhorns men's basketball team. He was one of the top-rated high school basketball players in the United States in the class of 2011.-High school career:...
. He cited the increase in exposure and skill level as his reason for transferring schools.
Thompson spent his sophomore and half his junior year at St. Benedict's, making an immediate impact and showing flashes of brilliance throughout the way. In his short time at St. Benedict's, he shot through the ranks to super-stardom, becoming the top recruit in the nation entering his junior season. The top basketball programs in the nation heavily sought Thompson, who made the first verbal commitment of the class of 2010 to Rick Barnes
Rick Barnes
Richard Dale Barnes is the current head coach of the University of Texas Longhorns men's basketball team. He has coached Texas for the last twelve seasons, taking the team to the NCAA Tournament each year, including a Final Four appearance led by T. J. Ford in 2003...
and the Texas Longhorns.
21 games into his junior year, the relationship between Thompson and then-St. Benedict's coach-Dan Hurley
Dan Hurley
Dan Hurley is the head basketball coach at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY, which is an NCAA Division I program in the Northeast Conference. He was named head coach in 2010 after a standout career as head coach of Saint Benedict's Preparatory School, where he built the New Jersey school into...
hit a rough patch. Hurley's in-your-face, no holds barred coaching style took a toll on the young star. During a game against then-top-ranked Mater Dei
Mater Dei
Mater Dei is Latin for "Mother of God", referring to the Virgin Mary as Theotokos. The term has been used to name various institutions, often Catholic, including:-Educational institutions:*Mater Dei Academy, a Catholic K-8 school in Wickliffe, OH...
, Hurley confronted Thompson during a time out. A heated debate ensued, and Thompson was sent off the court and later removed from the team. Over the next few days he made it known that he was planning to leave, resulting in a barrage of calls from the top prep schools throughout North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, all trying to acquire the top recruit's services. The next week he transferred to Findlay Prep with his friend, AAU teammate and future Texas Longhorn Cory Joseph
Cory Joseph
Cory Ephraim Joseph is a Canadian basketball player drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. Cory is also the younger brother of Devoe Joseph who plays for Oregon....
.
Thompson joined Findlay on the back end of their schedule, making an immediate impact on the team and thriving under Findlay Coach Michael Peck
Michael Peck
Michael James Peck is a former English cricketer. Peck was a right-handed batsman. He was born in Creeting St Mary, Suffolk.Peck made his debut for Suffolk in the 1988 Minor Counties Championship against Durham...
's system and coaching style. Thompson solidified his top recruit status and helped lead Findlay to their first National Championship. He continued to round and polish his skills his senior year in preparation for college and continued to hold fast to his commitment to the University of Texas, officially signing his letter of intent on November 11, 2009. Thompson then led his team to another National Championship at the ESPN National Championship Invitational. After their senior year, Thompson and Joseph were the third and fourth Canadians to be named McDonald's All-Americans, and Thompson also was named a Jordan Brand Classic All-American.
College career
- 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans2011 NCAA Men's Basketball All-AmericansAn All-American team is an honorary sports team composed of the best amateur players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...
: Associated PressAssociated PressThe Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
Honorable Mention - 2011 United States Basketball Writers AssociationUnited States Basketball Writers AssociationThe United States Basketball Writers Association was founded in 1956 by Walter Byers and serves the interests of journalists who cover college basketball.-Scholarships:...
(USBWA) All-District VII Team. - 2011 Wayman TisdaleWayman TisdaleWayman Lawrence Tisdale was an American professional basketball player in the NBA and a smooth jazz bass guitarist. A three-time All American at the University of Oklahoma, he was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.-Early life:Tisdale was born in Fort Worth, Texas...
Award (USBWA National Freshman of the Year) - 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-Rookie Team
- Drafted 4th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft2011 NBA DraftThe 2011 NBA Draft was held on June 23, 2011 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The draft started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball...
by the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
.
Sources:
College statistics
|-| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 Texas Longhorns men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Texas Longhorns men's basketball team represented the University of Texas in the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Rick Barnes, who was in his 13th year. The team played its home games at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas and are members of the...
| align="left" | Texas
Texas Longhorns men's basketball
The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team represents The University of Texas at Austin in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Longhorns currently compete in the Big 12 Conference....
| 36 || 34 || 30.9 || .546 || .000 || .487 || 7.8 || 1.3 || 0.9 || 2.4 || 13.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 36 || 34 || 30.9 || .546 || .000 || .487 || 7.8 || 1.3 || 0.9 || 2.4 || 13.1
International career
Thompson represented his country and Canada BasketballCanada Basketball
Canada Basketball is a non-profit organization and the governing body for basketball in Canada. This national federation was founded in 1923...
at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship
FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship
The FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship is the name commonly used to refer to the American basketball championships for players under 18 years that take place every two years among national teams of the continent. Before the 2006 edition the championship was played by under-19 teams.-Men's Americas...
in 2008 where Canada won the bronze medal placing behind Argentina and the United States. Thompson once again competed for Canada, this time at the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
along side his good friend, high school teammate and Texas commit Cory Joseph.
Professional career
On June 23, 2011, Thompson was drafted 4th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft2011 NBA Draft
The 2011 NBA Draft was held on June 23, 2011 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The draft started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball...
by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, making him the highest drafted Canadian born and bred player in NBA history. He continued to make history drafted along side his former teammate and roommate since high school Cory Joseph
Cory Joseph
Cory Ephraim Joseph is a Canadian basketball player drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. Cory is also the younger brother of Devoe Joseph who plays for Oregon....
who went 29th pick overall to the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
making it the first time two Canadians were drafted in the first round of the same draft, as well as the first time three Texas Longhorn basketball players went in the first round of a draft when his former collegiate teammate Jordan Hamilton
Jordan Hamilton
Jordan Christian Hamilton is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. He was a forward for the Texas Longhorns.As a sophomore he was a second team All-American by the USBWA...
went 26th overall to Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
.
During the 2011 NBA Lockout, Thompson attended classes at the University of Texas to continue his education.