Klay Thompson is an American professional basketball player known for his exceptional shooting skills and contributions to the NBA.
Currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Thompson previously spent 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, where he became one of the league’s most celebrated three-point shooters.
Alongside teammate Stephen Curry, he formed the dynamic Splash Brothers duo, renowned for their long-range shooting prowess.
Despite facing significant injuries that kept him off the court for over two years, Thompson made a successful return in the 2021-22 season and continued to demonstrate his clutch performance during crucial playoff games.
Beyond his basketball achievements, Klay comes from a family of athletes; he is the son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson.
Parents
Klay’s parents are Mychal and Julie Thompson, both of whom were accomplished athletes.
Mychal, born on January 30, 1955, in Nassau, Bahamas, is a former NBA player who had a successful career from 1978 to 1991, playing for teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers.
He won two NBA championships with the Lakers and is currently a radio broadcaster for the team.
Mychal’s athletic background significantly influenced Klay’s own basketball career.
Julie Thompson, Klay’s mother, was also a talented athlete. She played collegiate volleyball and competed in track and field.
Julie attended the University of Portland before transferring to the University of San Francisco, where she excelled in volleyball.
The couple has three sons: Klay, Mychel, who had a brief career in the NBA’s G League, and Trayce, a professional baseball player currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Career
Thompson’s career is a testament to his exceptional talent, resilience, and impact on the game of basketball.
After playing college basketball at Washington State University from 2008 to 2011, where he averaged over 21 points per game in his junior year, Thompson was selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.
His early years in the league saw him quickly establish himself as one of the best shooters in the game, forming a dynamic backcourt partnership with Stephen Curry.
Together, they became known as the “Splash Brothers,” revolutionizing modern basketball with their prolific three-point shooting and redefining offensive strategies.
Thompson’s contributions were instrumental in the Golden State Warriors’ rise to dominance.
He played a key role in their 2015 NBA Championship victory, which marked the franchise’s first title in 40 years.
Over the next few years, Thompson continued to excel, helping the Warriors win back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018.
His defensive skills were equally critical during these playoff runs, as he often guarded some of the league’s top scorers while maintaining his elite shooting on offense.
In addition to his championship success, Thompson is renowned for his record-breaking performances. In January 2015, he scored an NBA-record 37 points in a single quarter against the Sacramento Kings.
In December 2016, he delivered another historic performance by scoring 60 points in just 29 minutes against the Indiana Pacers, with minimal dribbling and remarkable efficiency.
Thompson has also built a reputation as one of the most clutch performers in playoff history.
One of his most memorable moments came during Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016.
Facing elimination, Thompson scored 42 points and hit an incredible 11 three-pointers to lead the Warriors to a comeback victory that ultimately helped them overcome a 3-1 series deficit.
Despite his incredible success, Thompson faced significant adversity when injuries sidelined him for over two years.
He tore his ACL during the 2019 NBA Finals and later ruptured his Achilles tendon while rehabbing from that injury.
