Born: 1975 (Los Angeles, California)
Tina Marie Thompson (born February 10, 1975) is an American former WNBA professional basketball player and coach. Most recently, she served as the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball team from 2018 to 2022. Thompson was inducted into both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
The first college draft pick in WNBA history, Thompson was selected first by the Houston Comets. She helped lead the Comets to four consecutive WNBA Championships in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. She won two Olympic gold medals and made nine WNBA All-Star Game appearances. Until 2017, she was the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and, as of 2023, she ranks second in WNBA history.
Thompson was born in Los Angeles, California. She grew up playing basketball with her brother TJ and his friends at Robertson Park in West Los Angeles, California. She recorded more than 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds in her high school career at Morningside High School in Inglewood, California, where she also played volleyball. She then went on to play basketball at the University of Southern California, where she graduated in 1997. Thompson attended both high school and college with fellow WNBA player Lisa Leslie.
During her college career, Thompson had an impressive record. In her freshman year, she appeared in 30 games and scored 427 points with a field goal percentage of 49.9%. She also had a three-point field goal percentage of 35.7% and a free throw percentage of 64.1%. Thompson averaged 10.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, with a total scoring average of 14.2 points per game.
In her sophomore year, Thompson played 28 games and scored 545 points with a field goal percentage of 51.9%. Her three-point field goal percentage was 20.6%, and her free throw percentage was 73.1%. She maintained an average of 10.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game, with a scoring average of 19.5 points per game.
Thompson’s junior year at USC was even more impressive. She appeared in 27 games and scored 623 points, shooting 50.7% from the field. Her three-point field goal percentage increased to 31.6%, and her free throw percentage was 74.2%. Thompson averaged 9.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, with a scoring average of 23.1 points per game.
In her final year at USC, Thompson played 29 games and scored 653 points. Her field goal percentage was 49.9%, and her three-point field goal percentage was 33.9%. She improved her free throw percentage to 78.1%. Thompson averaged 10.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, with a scoring average of 22.5 points per game.
Throughout her college career, Thompson accumulated a total of 2,248 points, with a field goal percentage of 50.6%. She had a three-point field goal percentage of 31.7% and a free throw percentage of 73.1%. Thompson recorded an average of 10.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game, with a scoring average of 19.7 points per game.
Thompson also represented the US at the 1995 World University Games held in Fukuoka, Japan. The team finished with a record of 5–1, securing the silver medal. Thompson’s achievements continued as she won two Olympic gold medals and made notable appearances in the WNBA All-Star Game.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to women’s basketball, Thompson was inducted into both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. Her significant achievements and impact on the game have made her a trailblazer in women’s sports history.
Awards:
– Inductee, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2018)
– Inductee, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2018)