Canadian-born Tristain Thompson made the All-Rookie Team with the Cavaliers in 2011-2012, but he never reached All-Star status. However, the 10th year NBA veteran is enjoying a solid career as a role player as a power forward and center. Now with the Boston Celtics, Thompson is looking to add a second NBA championship to his resume.
Thomspon attended his freshman year in high school in Brampton, Canada before transferring to Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in New Jersey to bolster his skills against better competition. The higher level of competition didn’t deter Thompson, who became a top prospect by his junior year.
Twenty-plus games into his junior season, Thompson and his coach Dan Hurley got into a heated battle. This led to Thompson’s removal from the team and transfer to Findlay Prep. Thompson helped Findlay to back-to-back National Championships.
Thompson went to play at the University of Texas, earning team MVP in 2010-2011, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and finalist for National Freshman of the Year. Following the NCAA Tournament, Thompson indicated he planned on returning to Texas but decided later to enter the NBA draft.
When Thomspon was selected fourth by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he becomes the top drafted player from Canada in league history. In his first NBA contest, he returned to Canada and dropped 12 points against the Toronto Raptors. Solid play throughout the season led Thompson to the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend. Thompson completed his rookie campaign with an average of eight points and 6.5 rebounds and became the first Canadian to make All-Rookie Team.
Starting all 82 games in 2012-2013, Thompson thrived on the boards, averaging 3.7 offensive rebounds per game, ranked 5th in the NBA. In addition, Thompson had a team-high 31 double-doubles and finished the season just shy of a double-double at 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. A model of consistency, Thompson nearly duplicated his numbers in 2013-2014, averaging 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds.
The addition of Kevin Love and LeBron James to the Cavaliers roster put Thompson back into a backup role in 2014-2015. Nevertheless, he still averaged 8.5 points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes per contest. Thomspon stepped up his game, particularly on the boards, in a playoff run that found the Cavaliers advancing to the NBA Finals.
Thompson secured his future with the Cavaliers when re-signed for five years at an average of $16 million per season. He started 34 games and appeared in all 82, averaging nearly eight points and nine rebounds per game. With the help of Thompson, the Cavaliers rebounded from the brink of elimination in the NBA Finals to win three years, defeating the Warriors for their first title.
Tristain Thompson reached 447 consecutive games played
A workhorse, Tristain Thompson reached 447 consecutive games played, setting a franchise record. Again, the Cavaliers reached the NBA Finals, but lost to the Warriors. Missing his first significant time in his career, Thompson injured his left calf early in the 2017-2018 season. Upon returning, his playing time and production reached a career-low, averaging just six points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes per game.
Thompson missed 26 games with a foot injury in 2018-2019 and played only 43 games for the season. His production improved to 11 points and 10 rebounds per game. Fueled by a career-best 35 points and 14 rebounds against the Pistons on January 9, 2020, Thompson reached new levels for the season, averaging 12 points and 10.1 rebounds.
On November 30, 2020, Thompson’s time in Cleveland ended after he signed with the Boston Celtics. He’s started 34 games this season and is averaging 7.9 points and eight rebounds per game. The Celtics are in a solid playoff position and have a good chance to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Tristan Thompson’s playoff experience, ferocity on the boards, and solid overall play that he’s displayed throughout his career will come in handy down the road.
The next game for one of the hottest teams in NBA, Boston Celtics will take place today against Phoenix Suns. You can watch the game live starting with 7:00 p.m. on TSN 1/3/4. Also, you can place your crypto bets on all NBA games through one of the most trusted crypto betting site, Cloud Bet.