Klay Thompson’s parents are Mychal George and Julie Leslie. However, American basketball professional Klay Thompson is now a member of the Golden State Warriors (NBA).
Thompson had a distinguished career that includes four NBA titles with the Warriors and five selections to the NBA All-Star team.
Additionally, he has twice been selected to the NBA Third Team and once to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
In addition, Thompson has competed for the US national team and has won gold with their Olympic and World Cup squads from 2016 and 2014, respectively.
His countless honors and successes are evidence of his extraordinary talent, perseverance, and devotion to basketball.
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Who Is Mychal George Thompson?
Mychal George Thompson is the father of Klay Thompson. However, former basketball player Mychal George Thompson, a Bahamian-American, was born in 1955. He played center for the University of Minnesota and center/forward for the NBA teams Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers.
He was selected first overall in the 1978 NBA Draft. In the Showtime period of the 1980s, he participated in two NBA championships with the Lakers.
Early Life
Thompson was raised as a Catholic in Nassau, Bahamas, picked up basketball as a hobby and played pick-up games on neighborhood courts.
He moved to Miami, Florida as a teenager to compete at a better level. Thompson was a member of the “Jackson 5” starting lineup at Miami Jackson Senior High School, which included three other Bahamians and a Cuban.
During Thompson’s senior year in 1974, the Generals had a 33-0 record and won the Class 4A state championship.
Due to fabricated birth certificates, the team had four ineligible players, including Thompson. Later, Thompson played college basketball at the University of Minnesota, where he was a standout player.
Personal Life
Thompson married Julie in 1987, and they have 3 sons: Mychel, Klay, and Trayce. Mychel briefly played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, Klay is a four-time NBA champion shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors, and Trayce is an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Walt Bellamy inspired Thompson’s moniker “Sweet Bells,” and a documentary on his life called “Trailblazer: The Mychal Thompson Story” aired in Los Angeles in 2013.
An administrative producer of the Michael Jordan documentary “The Last Dance” was his brother Andrew Thompson.
Once upon a time, some supporters believed Thompson was linked to fellow NBA Hall of Famer David Thompson.
In 2015, the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre in Nassau’s neighborhood of Mychal Thompson Boulevard was given his name. Thompson has shown interest in taking over as prime minister of the Bahamas.
Who Is Julie Thompson?
Julie Thompson is the mother of Klay Thompson. However, former American collegiate volleyball player Julie Leslie Thompson gained fame in the West Coast Conference while representing the University of San Francisco.
She was born and reared in Ridgefield, Washington, and has two older brothers.
Although she began in gymnastics, it wasn’t until she was 14 years old that she found her passion for volleyball.
She then joined the volleyball team at Ridgefield High School and had an immediate impact, winning three all-league awards and being selected as an All-American.
In addition to her accomplishments on the volleyball court, Julie stood out for Ridgefield High School’s track and field team.
She participated as a long jumper with a top jump of 19 feet, 6 inches and a triple jumper with a top jump of 40 feet, 0 inches.
Julie’s skill as a volleyball player was recognized, and she continued to play for the Portland Pilots in college, where she made a name for herself as a standout outside hitter.
Due to her prowess on the court, Julie was twice named to the ALL-tournament team. She transferred to the University of San Francisco to play volleyball for the school’s team for her last two years of college after spending two productive years with the Portland Pilots.
Although Julie redshirted her first year, she made a comeback the next year. She regrettably sustained a knee ligament injury during a game versus Pepperdine, which temporarily ended her playing career.
When Julie recovered from her injuries, she played her final season for a new coach, Laurie Corbelli, since her love and commitment to the sport she adored never faltered.
Julie’s skill, tenacity, and fortitude are examples of her commitment to and diligence in her athletic career.
Young aspiring players can truly draw inspiration from her amazing volleyball career, and her influence on the sport will never be forgotten.
