Tristan Thompson

At 33 years old, Tristan Thompson has this physical status:

Tristan Trevor James Thompson (born March 13, 1991) is a professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

He appeared in college basketball for Texas before being selected fourth overall by the Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft.

He also represents Canada in international competitions.

In 2016, Thompson earned his first NBA championship with the Cavaliers.

Personal life

Thompson is the eldest of four sons of Jamaican parents. His younger brother attended high school basketball for Wesley Christian High School in Allen, Kentucky, where he was regarded as a top prospect. Thompson founded the Amari Thompson Fund in 2013, which collaborates closely with Epilepsy Toronto to raise funds and awareness to help people affected by epilepsy. Amari Thompson's youngest brother has the neurological disorder and suffers seizures almost daily as a result of his illness.

Thompson gained American citizenship in 2020.

In December 2016, Thompson's ex-girlfriend gave birth to his first child, a son. He was sentenced to $40,000/month in child care and $200,000 in backend payments.

Thompson began dating Khloé Kardashian in 2016, who reportedly cheated on ex-girlfriend Jordan Craig with ex-girlfriend Jordan Craig, according to court records. True was born on April 12, 2018, Khloé's daughter was born. During the pregnancy, Thompson was discovered to have been unfaithful to Kardashian. They split in February 2019. Thompson and Kardashian reconnected in the summer of 2020 after being quarantined together during the COVID-19 pandemic. They announced that they had split in June 2021.

In December 2021, a woman reportedly filed a paternity lawsuit against Thompson in Los Angeles, which was during his time dating Khloé Kardashian. Thompson revealed that he was the father of the woman's child the following month and released an apology to Kardashian.

Thompson and Kardashian were expecting their second child together in July 2022, according to survivacy. Their son was born on July 28, 2022.

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High school career

Thompson, who was born in Brampton, attended St. Marguerite Secondary School in Brampton for 9th grade. Thompson came from Brampton twice to visit a prep school in the United States, and he and fellow University of Texas undergraduate Myck Kabongo met at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, for his sophomore year. He cited the rise in awareness and expertise as the reason for moving.

Thompson spent his sophomore and half of his junior year at St. Benedict's, making an immediate impact and displaying flashes of brilliance. He shot through the ranks to superstardom in his brief tenure as the country's top recruit in his junior season. Thompson, who made the first verbal commitment of the class of 2010 to Rick Barnes and the Texas Longhorns, was highly coveted by the nation's top basketball teams.

Thompson's friendship with then-St. Benedict's coach Dan Hurley was rough beginning 20 games into his junior year. Hurley's in-your-face, no-holds barrered coaching style took a toll on the young star. Hurley defeated Thompson at a time out during a game against then-ranked Mater Dei. Thompson was fired off the court and later dismissed from the team after a tense discussion ensued. He made it known that he was planning to leave over the next two days, triggering a rash of calls from top prep schools across North America attempting to hire his services. Cory Joseph, a close friend and AAU teammate, joined him in Findlay Prep next week.

Thompson joined Findlay late in life, making an immediate effect on the team and flourishing under Findlay coach Michael Peck's system and coaching style. Thompson honed his top recruit position and helped Findlay win their first National Championship. He continued to round and fine-honed his skills as a senior in college, but remained faithful to his University of Texas commitment, signing his letter of intent on November 11, 2009. Thompson led his team to another National Championship at the ESPN National High School Invitational in New Mexico. Thompson and Joseph moved to Texas, becoming the fourth and fifth Canadians to be named McDonald's All-Americans after Bill Wennington (1981), Barry Bekkedam (1986) and Olu Famutimi (2003). Thompson was also named a Jordan Brand Classic All-American by the Jordan Brand.

College career

Thompson won the Texas Longhorns' Most Valuable Player award in 2010–11, winning the team's Most Valuable Player award, as voted on by his teammates. Thompson was one of five finalists for the Wayman Tisdale Award, which was given to the National Freshman of the Year by the University of California Basketball Writers Association. Thompson received the Big 12 Freshman of the Year Award as well as first-team NABC All-District 8 and USBWA All-District VII awards. He led the team in recovering, blocked shots (86), double-doubles (10) and field goal percentage (.546) while ranking second in scoring. He played for Texas, helped Texas win by 28–8 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. The Longhorns finished No. 2 on the national championship track. In the final AP poll, the poll had a score of 8.

Thompson told reporters after the NCAA tournament that he intended to return to Texas for his sophomore season but changed his mind. He declared for the NBA draft on April 21, 2011, forgoing his first three years of college eligibility.

Professional career

Thompson was drafted fourth overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 23, 2011. He was the first drafted Canadian-born player in NBA history at the time, until Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins were selected as the first overall pick in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Thompson continued to make history by being drafted alongside Joseph, who was picked 29th by the San Antonio Spurs on his second occasion in NBA history, the first being in 1983, where Leo Rautins and Stewart Granger were drafted 17th and 25th respectively. The 2011 draft was also the first time three Texas Longhorn basketball players appeared in the first round of a draft, with Thompson's excollegiate teammate Jordan Hamilton placing 26th overall to the Dallas Mavericks.

Thompson took classes at the University of Texas to complete his college degree during the 2011 NBA lockout. Thompson signed his rookie deal with the Cavaliers on December 9, 2011, just days before training camp began. Thompson made his pro debut against his hometown Toronto Raptors on December 26, 2011. Thompson had 12 points and 5 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench. Both Thompson and teammate Kyrie Irving were later named to the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge. However, Thompson was selected to play for Team Shaq, while Team Chuck selected Irving.

Thompson was the first Canadian to ever win All-Rookie Second Team accolades in the NBA, with averages of 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in 60 games.

Thompson concentrated on preventing his own shots from being blocked in the 2012–2013 season, and he switched his shooting hand from left to right. Danny Fortson's 16.7% %, or one out of six, were blocked for the majority of the season, compared to former NBA player Danny Fortson's 16.7% success in 1997-98. Thompson's average dropped to around 15% by the season's end, when three other players had only advanced to that level before the season. He went on to average 3.7 offensive rebounds per game, finishing fifth in the NBA and first among second-year players, and also tied for most offensive rebounds in a single season with 306 (second in the NBA), surpassing Zydrunas Ilgauskas' 299 offensive rebounds in the 2004–05 season. He also posted a team-high 31 double-doubles on the season, becoming the ninth player in franchise history to reach at least 30 double-doubles in a single season. He appeared in all 82 games in 2012-2013, scoring 11.7 points on.488 shooting, 9.4 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 31.3 minutes per game.

Thompson's right shooting hand was switched to his right instead of his left in the 2013 off-season. Despite the change, he had a nearly identical season for the Cavaliers in 2013–14, starting all 82 games and averaging 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game. With a team-leading and career-best 36 double-doubles, he ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference, ranking fifth and fifth in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavaliers acquired LeBron James and Kevin Love during the 2014 off-season. Thompson was off the bench for the majority of the season, providing energy and solidifying his position as one of the best offensive rebounders in the league, averaging 8.5 points and 8 rebounds per game. He appeared in all 82 games and began at 15. For the first time since 2010, the Cavaliers defeated the Browns 53–29 record and made the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Kevin Love dislocated his shoulder early in the first round and was barred from the remainder of the postseason. After Love's injury, Thompson stepped in as the Cavaliers' starting lineup in the 2015 NBA Finals. The Cavaliers faced the Golden State Warriors and lost the series in six games. Thompson was one of the NBA's best rebounders, especially on the offensive glass. After the season, he became a restricted free agent.

Thompson re-signed with the Cavaliers on a five-year, $82 million deal, bringing an end to a four-month contract stalemate that caused Thompson to miss preparation camp, the preseason, and the FIBA Americas Championship. Thompson played the starting center role with Timofey Mozgov in the 2015–16 season. In a 114-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 25, 2016, he posted a season-high 19 points and 12 rebounds. Thompson tied Jim Chones' franchise record by playing in his 361st consecutive game for the Cavaliers on March 26, beating the New York Knicks. He set a new record three days later in his 362nd game in a loss to the Houston Rockets in his 362nd game in a row. Thompson was a member of the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals for the second straight season. The Warriors won the series in seven games, putting an end to a 52-year championship drought in Cleveland. They made NBA history by coming back from a 3–1 deficit to win the series in seven games.

Thompson became the first player in franchise history to play in 400 consecutive regular-season games on December 26, 2016. Thompson missed the Cavaliers' game against the Boston Celtics on April 5, 2017 with a swollen right thumb. Thompson's absence ended his streak of consecutive games played at 447, the longest in team history and the longest active streak in the league at the time. He missed four games due to the injury before returning to action against the Toronto Raptors on April 12. Thompson helped the Cavaliers to advance to the NBA Finals for the third straight season in a row. The Cavaliers faced the Golden State Warriors in a match, but they lost the series in five games.

Thompson was out for three to four weeks with a left calf injury he suffered against the Indiana Pacers on November 2, 2017. He appeared in his first game since November 1 on December 12, 2017, but he went scoreless and did not have a rebound in 6 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks. In a 110-94 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, he had a season-high 13 rebounds in 23 minutes on February 25, 2018. In Game 7 of the Cavaliers' first-round playoff series against the Pacers, Thompson, who played just 24 minutes in the first six games, got off to a good start and had 15 points and ten rebounds. The Cavaliers made it to the 2018 NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Golden State Warriors.

Thompson, averaging career highs in points (12.0) and rebounds (11.6) through 27 games to start the season for the 6-21 Cavaliers. However, he was banned from two to four weeks after suffering a left foot sprain on December 11. After missing ten games, he returned to action against the Miami Heat on January 2nd. Thompson returned from missing 26 games against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 20, suffering a sore left foot in 26 games.

Thompson had a double-double in a 115–112 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on January 9, 2020, with a career-high 35 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and a steal.

Thompson agreed to a two-year, $19 million contract with the Boston Celtics on November 30, 2020.

Thompson was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks on August 7, 2021.

Thompson, Tyrese Haliburton, and Buddy Hield were traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, and Domantas Sabonis, as well as a 2022 second-round pick. The Pacers and Thompson reached a labor buyout pact on February 17.

Thompson joined the Chicago Bulls on February 19, 2022.

International career

Thompson appeared at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in 2008, where Canada received the bronze medal, placing behind Argentina and the United States in second place. Thompson appeared for Canada at the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand.

Thompson averaged 11.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship. He was a leader in the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament with 33 rebounds, and in 2018, he appeared in just one game in a qualifying tournament for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

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Awards

• 2016 NBA champion
• 2012 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
• 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans: Associated Press Honorable Mention
• 2011 United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District VII Team
• 2011 Wayman Tisdale 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-Freshman Team