Calvin Thompson Explained

Calvin Thompson
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:205
Birth Date:27 June 1964
Birth Place:Kansas City, Kansas
Nationality:American
High School:Wyandotte (Kansas City, Kansas)
College:Kansas (1982–1986)
Draft Year:1986
Draft Round:4
Draft Pick:71
Draft Team:New York Knicks
Career Start:1986
Career End:1995
Career Position:Shooting guard
Coach Start:1995
Years1:1986–1988
Team1:Topeka Sizzlers
Years2:1987
Team2:Formula Shell Spark Aiders
Years3:1988–1989
Team3:Salon de Provence
Years4:1990–1991
Team4:Chalon sur Saone
Years5:1991–1992
Team5:Elitzur Givat Shmuel
Years6:1993–1995
Team6:Maccabi Netanya
Cyears1:1995–1996
Cteam1:Missouri Mustangs
Cyears2:2018
Cteam2:Kansas City Tornadoes
Cyears3:2018-present
Cteam3:Topeka Sizzlers

Calvin Thompson (born June 27, 1964) is an American basketball coach and a member of the University of Kansas' 1986 Final Four team. He holds Kansas' record for most consecutive free throws made at 33 in 1983–84, made second-team All-Big Eight in 1983 and 1984, and the All-Big Eight Tournament team 1983 and 1984. He was also a member of the 1986 All-NCAA Midwest Regional team.[1] [2]

Playing career

On June 17, 1986, the New York Knicks selected Thompson in Round 4 with Pick 1 in the 1986 NBA draft.[3]

Calvin played two seasons in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) after brief stints in camp with the Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and the San Antonio Spurs.

After spending time in camp with the Spurs he was offered a contract by the Houston Rockets and Lyon out of France. He chose to venture to France where he played professionally for two years, then another five years in Israel.

Thompson finished his college career tied for first for games started and games played in a season, third in minutes played, fourth in scoring, fifth in assists, seventh in steals, 13th in blocks, and 19th in rebounds in Kansas Jayhawk history.

During his first CBA season where he averaged 21 ppg, and 5 rebounds per game, he was named CBA Rookie Runner-Up Of The Year and he was the first rookie to be named to the CBA's All Star Game. In May 1987 (CBA off-season) participated with Formula Shell in the Philippines. He averaged 42 points and 8 rebounds per game.

Coaching career

Thompson coached the Kansas City Mustangs of the Women's Basketball Association professional league in 1995.

After retiring, he founded Hoop Service Bulldogs (now the Junior Sizzlers), which play under the ThreeFive, Inc. umbrella, a not-for-profit entity based out of Kansas City for both boys and girls grade 3–11.[4]

In 2018, he was the coach of the Kansas City Tornados professional team in the North American Premier Basketball.[5]

In June 2018, Thompson purchased the rights of the Topeka Sizzlers of the semi-pro league American Basketball Association (ABA). He will service as both the Head Coach and General Manager of the team. Prior to the Covid pandemic, the Sizzlers were relocated to the Kansas City area and now play independently as the KC Sizzlers (www.kcsizzlers.org).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: University of Kansas Athletics - Men's Basketball - 1,000-Point Scorers. www.kuathletics.com. October 11, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150906053426/http://kuathletics.com/sports/2013/6/26/MBB_0626135308.aspx?path=mbball. September 6, 2015. dead.
  2. Web site: Know Your KU History: Calvin Thompson. January 14, 2016 . October 27, 2017.
  3. Web site: Calvin Thompson Player Profile, Kansas, NCAA Stats, Awards - RealGM. basketball.realgm.com. October 11, 2015.
  4. Web site: Welcome to More Than Sports. October 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171027180646/http://www.mts35.com/coaches.html. October 27, 2017. dead.
  5. Web site: NAPB to bring professional basketball back to Kansas City . . September 27, 2017.