Scottie Thompson (basketball) explained

Scottie Thompson
Position:Shooting guard / point guard
Team:Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Number:9
League:PBA
Nationality:Filipino
Birth Date:12 July 1993
Birth Place:Padada, Davao del Sur, Philippines
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:180
High School:Agro Industrial Foundation College (Davao City)
College:Perpetual (2011–2015)
Draft Year Pba:2015
Draft Round Pba:1
Draft Pick Pba:5
Draft Team Pba:Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Career Start:2015
Career Number:6, 9
Team1:Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Years1:2015–present
Awards:

Earl Scottie Carreon Thompson (born July 12, 1993) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He is also the team manager for the Perpetual Altas of the Philippines' NCAA.

Early life and high school career

Thompson was born on July 12, 1993, and was named after Scottie Pippen as his father is a big Chicago Bulls fan.[1] Thompson has American roots through his paternal great-grandfather.[2]

Thompson started playing basketball when he was in elementary, but his game took off during his senior year in high school when he played in the Palarong Pambansa (representing Region XI) and was chosen for the Nike Elite Camp.[3] According to him, he had no scholarship offers from top collegiate schools except for Perpetual Help.[4]

College career

Thompson played college basketball at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas of the NCAA. In his rookie season, he was the Altas' sixth man, averaging 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.3 minutes per game. During his MVP year in 2014, he posted an impressive stat line of 26.5 PPG and 10.0 RPG, while leading the Altas to the Final Four. He was also included in the Mythical 5 selection in that same season.[5] Despite dishing off triple-double performances for the Altas, he ended his college career in 2015 after his school bowed out of the Final Four contention.[6]

In 2023, Perpetual retired Thompson's jersey #6.[7]

Amateur career

Thompson suited up for the Hapee Fresh Fighters in the PBA D-League, where he teamed up with fellow college standouts and future draft batchmates Troy Rosario, Baser Amer, Garvo Lanete and Chris Newsome.[8] Behind his heroics, he helped the Fresh Fighters win its first ever PBA D-League title in 2015.[9]

Professional career

Thompson was drafted fifth overall in the 2015 PBA draft by the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.[10] In his first game as a pro, he scored 5 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in 16 minutes of play in a 78–86 loss over the Purefoods Star Hotshots.[11] Despite the fact that he only practiced with the team for less than a week and with the limited minutes he's given, his stellar play earned him praises from coach Tim Cone.[12] In his third career game back on November 7, 2015, Thompson recorded 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in just 14 minutes of playing time in a 93–92 win over the Alaska Aces.[13] On December 5, Thompson almost recorded a triple-double after putting up 9 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in 102–94 win over the Blackwater Elite.[14] In the semifinals of 2016 PBA Governors' Cup, he registered a triple double performance long after Johnny Abarientos era. He was awarded later the 2016 All-Rookie Team.

In 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, he was awarded the PBA Finals MVP.[15] He eventually won the 2018 PBA Mythical Second Team and PBA Most Improved Player awards.

In 2021 PBA Governors' Cup, Thompson won his first PBA Best Player of the Conference Award.[16] In the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup Finals, he won his sixth PBA title and was judged as the Finals MVP for the second time of his career.[17] In June 5, 2022, he was awarded the 2021 PBA Mythical First Team and the 2021 PBA Most Valuable Player.[18]

In January 6, 2023, Thompson was awarded with his second Best Player of the Conference award, this time in the 2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup.[19] In November 5, 2023, he was included in the 2022–23 PBA Mythical First Team for the second straight season.[20]

PBA career statistics

As of the end of 2023–24 season[21]

Season-by-season averages

|-| align=left | | align=left | Barangay Ginebra| 49 || 21.5 || .384 || .264 || .606 || 5.1 || 3.2 || .5 || .1 || 5.5|-| align=left | | align=left | Barangay Ginebra| 64 || 30.5 || .459 || .271 || .565 || 7.8 || 4.4 || 1.0 || .2 || 8.5|-| align=left | | align=left | Barangay Ginebra| 57 || 34.1 || .445 || .320 || .687 || 9.0 || 5.6 || 1.4 || .3 || 9.3|-| align=left | | align=left | Barangay Ginebra| 52 || 31.9 || .439 || .311 || .538 || 7.3 || 5.0 || 1.3 || .4 || 8.3|-| align=left | | align=left | Barangay Ginebra| 22 || 36.5 || .439 || .329 || .689 || 8.8 || 5.8 || 1.1 || .4 || 11.0|-| align=left | | align=left | Barangay Ginebra| 33 || 38.3 || .479 || .363 || .700 || 9.0 || 5.4 || 1.2 || .9 || 13.9|-| align=left | | align=left | Barangay Ginebra| 60 || 37.8 || .490 || .358 || .681 || 7.7 || 6.0 || 1.6 || .6 || 13.9|-| align=left | | align=left | Barangay Ginebra| 25 || 37.0 || .395 || .314 || .429 || 7.3 || 6.2 || 1.5 || .8 || 10.3|-class=sortbottom| align="center" colspan="2" | Career| 362 || 32.8 || .450 || .322 || .625 || 7.7 || 5.1 || 1.2 || .4 || 9.8

National team career

Thompson was part of the 12-man Sinag Pilipinas lineup that competed in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and 2015 SEABA Championship, both held in Singapore, where they won gold medals in both occasions.[22] [23] [24] [25]

Thompson was included in the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup,[26] where he was eventually included in the final 12-man lineup.[27]

Player profile

Thompson is well-known for his offensive mindset and defensive versatility. In college, he accumulated several triple-doubles on account of his all-around capabilities.[28]

On offense, his scoring output is not that high, averaging just 9.8 points per game in his career because of his role on the team. However, he focuses on making his teammates better as a facilitator.[29] [30] With his play-making abilities and skills, he averages 5.1 assists per game in his career.

He is also highly regarded for his rebounding efforts. At a height of 6'1, he is a great rebounder for his position and size.[31] Thompson credits his prowess to having good positioning.[32] Others credit it to his high energy and hustle.[33] He can outrebound a taller opponent due to his high vertical leap.[34] During the Governor's Cup, he was 2nd in rebounds per game among locals with nearly 10 (behind only the 6'10 June Mar Fajardo).[35] As of the end of the 2023–24 PBA season, he has managed 7.7 rebounds per game.

With that, he is often compared to Russell Westbrook of the NBA because of their similar playing style.[36] [37] [38] [39]

Thompson is considered a lockdown defender, especially on the perimeter.[40] He is often asked to guard his opposition over a high volume of minutes.[41] He excels at forcing turnovers against opponents.

Personal life

Thompson founded his own barbershop, the Thompson’s Sports Hair Shop which opened in Digos in October 2016.[42] According to Thompson, he is of partial American descent as his great grandfather is African American.[43]

In August 2023, Thompson formally graduated from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Major in Marketing Management. He also received the Dr/BGen Antonio Laperal Tamayo Leadership Plaque for Sports and Athletics award.[44]

Notes and References

  1. News: Servinio . Anthony . October 22, 2014 . MVP For Thompson . Anthony Servinio . August 25, 2015 .
  2. News: Earl Scottie Thompson – UPHSD Altas – Game Central . Spin.ph . August 25, 2015 .
  3. News: DRAFT PROFILE: EARL SCOTTIE THOMPSON . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119015305/http://pbadraft.sports5.ph/read.php?v=draft-profile-earl-scottie-thompson . dead . November 19, 2015 . Sports5.ph . August 20, 2015 . August 25, 2015 .
  4. News: Villar . Joey . October 20, 2014 . From anonymity to stardom: Thompson wins NCAA MVP plum . . August 25, 2015 .
  5. News: Ganglani . Naveen . October 20, 2014 . Perpetual Help's Earl Scottie Thompson wins NCAA MVP award . . August 25, 2015 .
  6. News: Terrado . Reuben . October 9, 2015 . Sobbing Scottie Thompson consoled by chants of 'Ginebra, Ginebra' as Altas season hits dead end . Spin.ph . October 9, 2015 .
  7. Web site: Arbina . Dennis . 2023-02-13 . PBA MVP Scottie Thompson to have jersey retired by Perpetual . 2023-10-03 . RAPPLER . en-US.
  8. News: Terrado . Reuben . October 9, 2014 . Hapee Toothpaste set to add NU's Troy Rosario to powerhouse D-League lineup . Spin.ph . August 24, 2015 .
  9. Web site: Ganglani . Naveen . February 19, 2015 . Hapee bags D-League title behind Thompson's heroics . . August 25, 2015 .
  10. Web site: Moala Tautuaa goes first overall in 2015 PBA Draft . . August 23, 2015 . August 23, 2015 .
  11. Web site: Barangay Ginebra Kings 78 at Purefoods Star Hotshots 86. October 25, 2015. August 11, 2019.
  12. News: Sacamos . Karlo . October 25, 2015 . Scottie Thompson draws praise from Cone, gives Ginebra fans something to cheer about . Spin.ph . October 30, 2015 .
  13. Web site: Barangay Ginebra Kings 93 at Alaska Aces 92. November 7, 2015. August 11, 2019.
  14. Web site: Blackwater Elite 94 at Barangay Ginebra Kings 102. December 5, 2015. August 11, 2019.
  15. News: Scottie Thompson named PBA Finals MVP. Giongco. Mark. August 14, 2018. en.
  16. News: Thompson wins first BPC plum in runaway fashion. April 13, 2022. en.
  17. News: Thompson adds Finals MVP to Best Player of the Conference award. April 23, 2022. en.
  18. News: Scottie Thompson is Mr. MVP. June 5, 2022. en.
  19. News: Thompson named Davco-Best Player of the Conference, Brownlee wins coins.ph-Best Import award. January 6, 2023. en.
  20. News: Fajardo leads list of winners in PBA Leo Awards. November 6, 2023. en.
  21. Web site: Scottie Thompson Player Profile, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel - RealGM . basketball.realgm.com.
  22. News: Douthit, Ravena banner Sinag Pilipinas 12-man lineup . . April 13, 2015 . August 25, 2015 . September 26, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150926065515/http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2015/04/13/douhit-ravena-sinag-pilipinas-lineup.html . dead .
  23. News: Douthit, Ravena, Parks lead Gilas lineup for SEABA tilt . InterAksyon . April 13, 2015 . August 25, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150904070525/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/douthit-ravena-parks-lead-gilas-lineup-for-seaba-tilt . September 4, 2015 .
  24. News: Fuentebella . Josef . June 21, 2015 . Gilas Cadets win gold in SEA Games Basketball Tournament . The La Sallian . August 25, 2015 .
  25. News: Fuentebella . Josef . May 12, 2015 . Gilas Cadets dominate SEABA Rivals, clinch FIBA Asia Championship berth . The La Sallian . August 25, 2015 .
  26. Web site: Clarkson, Brownlee, Kouame head 21-man Gilas pool for World Cup. spin.ph. Terrado. Reuben. June 6, 2023. September 9, 2023.
  27. Web site: Gilas Pilipinas confirm final 12 for FIBA World Cup. ESPN.com. Ventura. Sid. August 23, 2023. October 12, 2023.
  28. Web site: Scottie Thompson's incredible rebounding just one his 'special skills,' says Cone .
  29. Web site: Gilas Pilipinas benefits as Scottie Thompson thrives in 'comfort zone' . November 11, 2022 .
  30. Web site: Scottie Thompson: Upgraded Version of the Old School PG . February 5, 2018 .
  31. Web site: 'I haven't seen a rebounding guard like Scottie Thompson' . January 21, 2017 .
  32. Web site: Scottie's secret to rebounding is not what you think: 'Hindi pataasan ng talon' .
  33. Web site: Superstar status hasn't changed do-it-all Scottie one bit, says Cone .
  34. Web site: Cone left amazed by Scottie's 'kalawit' rebound .
  35. Web site: Scottie's secret to rebounding is not what you think: 'Hindi pataasan ng talon' .
  36. Web site: Cone: Scottie Thompson 'reminds me of Westbrook' . August 6, 2018 .
  37. Web site: In due time, Tim Cone expects Scottie Thompson to put up 'Westbrook numbers' .
  38. Web site: Scottie Thompson on challenge to put up 'Russell Westbrook numbers': 'Mahirap yun, pero wala namang imposible' .
  39. Web site: Cone likens Thompson's tenacity to Jaworski, Westbrook . January 20, 2017 .
  40. Web site: Veteran basketball analyst anoints Scottie Thompson as best PBA player right now .
  41. Web site: Superstar status hasn't changed do-it-all Scottie one bit, says Cone .
  42. News: Sacamos. Karlo. Preparing for the future, Scottie Thompson puts up barbershop in Digos City. December 2, 2016. Sports Interactive Network Philippines. November 1, 2016.
  43. News: Reigning PBA MVP Scottie explains his Thompson lineage. June 10, 2022. Sports Interactive Network Philippines. June 10, 2022.
  44. News: Ulanday. John Bryan. Scottie Thompson earns college degree, graduates from Perpetual. August 6, 2023. Philippine Star . August 3, 2023.