Mychal Thompson is the father of Klay Thompson the famous NBA star. Mychal himself was also a former NBA player who married Julie Thompson, a Division 1 Volleyball player. With the emergence of their son as a rising star in the world of basketball, the Thompson’s are now being talked about much just as it was in Mychal’s college days when he dominated college basketball and was drafted ahead of the best players in college then.
Here we are going to look at the biography of Mychal Thompson and look at five facts about him you need to know.
Mychal Thompson Biography
Mychal George Thompson is a Bahamian basketball player who was born on January 30, 1955, in Nassau, Bahamas. He relocated to the United States as a youth and settled in Miami, Florida where he got schooled.
Mychal studied at Miami Jackson Senior High School and the University of Minnesota where he had a standout collegiate career. In both high school and college, Mychal was very active in playing the game of basketball. He was part of a starting lineup nicknamed “Jackson 5” which included him, a Cuban, and three other Bahamians. They were so spectacular in their games that they would be beating their opponents 30 points per game.
After college, Mychal Thompson made a record of being the first foreign-born player to be selected as the number one pick in the 1978 NBA draft by the Portland Blazers. Mychal was a regular selection in their match lineups for eight years. Having been prolific in the power forward and center positions, he made the 1979 All-Rookie team. In the 1981-82 season, he was at his best averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds per game he played which was normally often.
He was traded a couple of times in the early days of his career before he arrived at the Lakers where his career blossomed the more. He played alongside the likes of Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy at the Lakers before retiring in 1991. His retirement came after he helped the team reach consecutive title wins in 1987, 88, and also played in the finals of 1989.
5 Fast Facts You Need To Know About Mychal Thompson
1. Career Records
He ended his career with a record career point of 1,992 points which comes down to 20.8 per game and 956 rebounds meaning 10.0 rebounds per game. These records remain among the highest in school basketball. He is one of four players to have had his jersey number retired in honor and appreciation of his input in the game.
2. Broadcast Career
Mychal is not done yet with being involved in the fast-paced game of basketball. His playing career which ended over a decade ago launched the beginning of his broadcasting career. He spent two years working as a color commentator for the Minnesota Timberwolves, before becoming a regular voice on the Lakers’ radio broadcast. His broadcast career has seen him work next to the likes of Joel Meyers and John Ireland.
3. Wife and Athletic Sons
Mychal married his wife Julie in 1987 and they have three sons together. It is not surprising to see the three sons of the former NBA star and his professional volleyball player wife all take to one sport or the other.
Mychal and Julie’s first son, Mychel who was born in 1988 played basketball for Pepperdine University before making his NBA debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2012. Their second son Klay born in the year 1990 is the most popular among his siblings. He played for Washington State University before being selected with the 11th pick to the Golden State Warriors. The youngest son Trayce was born in 1991. He plays baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
4. His Son’s Critic
Mychal revealed that he has been the biggest critic of Klay his son. He certainly played the game well and long enough to understand what is needed to make it to the top. So for not supporting his son’s every game, he is doing all he can to groom him to the top.
5. Record With His Son
Mychal and Klay are the fourth father-son duo to have won the NBA championship as players. Other pairs who have achieved this feat are Matt Guokas, Sr. and his son Matt Guokas, Jr, Rick and his son Brent Barry and of course Bill and his son Luke Walton.
Other Quick Facts About Mychal Thompson
1. He was born on 3oth January 1955;
2. He is of Bahamian African-American origin;
3. He was part of the formidable “Jackson 5” in his high school days;
4. Some of Mychal Thompson’s records still stand today;
5. He has played alongside big names in sports.
