Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson

 

Klay Alexander Thompson (born February 8, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and weighing 220 pounds (100 kg), Thompson plays shooting guard and small forward. He played three years of college basketball for the Washington State Cougars before being selected 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2011 NBA Draft. Thompson spent 13 seasons with the Warriors, winning four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) and forming one-half of the legendary “Splash Brothers” duo alongside Stephen Curry. 

 

He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in July 2024. Thompson is a five-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection (Third Team in 2015 and 2016), and won gold medals with Team USA at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and 2016 Olympics. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2019 and the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2012.

 

Early Life 

High School Career

 

Thompson was born in Los Angeles, California, to Mychal Thompson and Julie Thompson. His father, Mychal, was the first overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft and won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987 and 1988. Thompson’s older brother, Mychel, played professionally and had a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, while his younger brother, Trayce, became a Major League Baseball player.

 

Thompson attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. As a senior in 2008, he led the Eagles to a 30-5 record and the Division III State Championship. Thompson scored 37 points in the state title game, connecting on a state-finals-record seven three-pointers. He was named Division III State Player of the Year, League MVP, first-team Best in the West, and an EA Sports Second Team All-American. Thompson was ranked as the No. 58 overall recruit by Rivals and committed to Washington State University.

 

College Career

 

Thompson played three seasons at Washington State under coaches Tony Bennett (2008-09) and Ken Bone (2009-11). As a freshman in 2008-09, Thompson started 33 games and averaged 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41.2% from three-point range. He was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team.

 

Thompson improved significantly as a sophomore, averaging 19.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while earning Second Team All-Pac-10 honors. As a junior in 2010-11, Thompson elevated his game to another level, averaging 21.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He was named First Team All-Pac-10 and earned honorable mention All-America honors. Thompson finished his three-year career at Washington State, averaging 17.9 points per game and ranking third in school history in career points (1,756). On April 13, 2011, Thompson declared for the NBA Draft, forgoing his senior season.

 

NBA Career

Golden State Warriors (2011–2024)

 

Thompson was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. He made his NBA debut on December 25, 2011, scoring six points in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Thompson appeared in 66 games as a rookie, averaging 12.5 points per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

 

Thompson’s career trajectory changed dramatically following the March 2012 trade of Monta Ellis, which allowed him to move into a starting role alongside Stephen Curry. The duo, dubbed the “Splash Brothers,” would become the greatest shooting backcourt in NBA history. In 2012-13, Thompson averaged 16.6 points per game and helped the Warriors return to the playoffs for the first time in six years.

 

The Warriors’ transformation into a dynasty began in 2014-15 under coach Steve Kerr. Thompson averaged 21.7 points per game while making 239 three-pointers, earning Third Team All-NBA honors and his first All-Star selection. On January 23, 2015, Thompson scored an NBA record 37 points in a single quarter against the Sacramento Kings, making all 13 of his shots, including nine three-pointers. The Warriors won their first championship in 40 years, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in the NBA Finals. Thompson and his father became the fourth father-son duo to win NBA championships.

 

Thompson earned his second consecutive All-Star selection and Third Team All-NBA honors in 2015-16, averaging 22.1 points per game while making 276 three-pointers. The Warriors set an NBA record with 73 wins but fell short in the Finals, losing to Cleveland 4-3 after leading 3-1. In Game 6, Thompson scored 41 points, including an iconic 11-point performance in the final three minutes, cementing his “Game 6 Klay” reputation.

 

The Warriors rebounded in 2016-17, adding Kevin Durant and winning the championship with a 16-1 playoff record. Thompson averaged 22.3 points during the regular season and was named an All-Star for the third consecutive year. The Warriors repeated as champions in 2017-18, sweeping Cleveland 4-0 in the Finals. Thompson made his fourth consecutive All-Star team.

 

During the 2018-19 season, he made NBA history on December 5, 2018, by scoring 14 three-pointers against the Chicago Bulls, tying the single-game NBA record. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for the first time and earned his fifth All-Star selection.

 

The 2019 NBA Finals proved devastating for Thompson’s career. After missing Game 3 with a hamstring strain, he returned in Game 4 and scored 28 points. In Game 5, Thompson was playing brilliantly with 26 points when he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee while landing awkwardly after a dunk attempt. Despite the injury, he famously returned to the court to shoot his free throws before leaving for good. The Warriors lost the series 4-2 to Toronto.

 

Thompson’s recovery was complicated by a ruptured right Achilles tendon suffered in November 2020 during a pickup game, forcing him to miss the entire 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons—941 consecutive days. He finally returned on January 9, 2022, receiving a standing ovation from the Chase Center crowd. Thompson averaged 20.4 points in 32 games and helped the Warriors win their fourth championship in eight years, defeating Boston 4-2 in the Finals.

 

In 2022-23, Thompson appeared in 69 games and averaged 21.9 points per game while making 268 three-pointers. However, his 2023-24 season saw a decline as he averaged 17.9 points per game on reduced efficiency, and the Warriors failed to make the playoffs.

 

Dallas Mavericks (2024–present)

 

On July 6, 2024, Thompson was traded to the Dallas Mavericks as part of a six-team deal that sent Josh Green to Charlotte. The move ended his 13-year tenure with Golden State and paired him with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Thompson signed a three-year, $50 million contract with Dallas.

 

Thompson’s first season in Dallas was marked by inconsistency. After starting the team’s first seven games, he was moved to a bench role in early November 2024 due to shooting struggles. On December 25, 2024, in a Christmas Day game against his former team at Chase Center, Thompson made his 2,561st career three-pointer, passing Reggie Miller for fifth on the NBA’s all-time list. On January 15, 2026, Thompson scored a season-high 26 points with six assists in a win over Utah, passing Damian Lillard for fourth place on the all-time three-pointers made list. Two days later, he surpassed 17,000 career points in another win over the Jazz. On March 29, 2025, Thompson recorded his 200th three-pointer of the season against Chicago, joining Curry as the only players in NBA history with at least 10 seasons of 200+ three-pointers made.

 

Through the 2025-26 season as of February 10, Thompson is averaging 11.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 38.4% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range. While his statistics have declined, Thompson remains a valuable veteran presence and one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.

 

International Career

 

Thompson was a member of Team USA at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, where the Americans won the gold medal. He averaged 12.7 points per game in the tournament, second on the team. Two years later, Thompson won another gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, averaging 5.8 points per game as Team USA went 8-0.

 

Personal Life

 

Thompson is known for his offbeat, dry sense of humor and laid-back personality. He previously owned an English bulldog named Rocco, who died in May 2025. Thompson is an avid boater and often spends his free time on the water, earning him the nickname “Sea Captain.” He has been involved in numerous charitable efforts, including raising over $350,000 for victims of the 2017 Northern California wildfires through his Points With Purpose fundraiser, personally donating $75,000. He purchases tickets to every home game that are donated to deserving youth groups.

 

In July 2025, Thompson began dating Grammy Award-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion (born Megan Pete). The couple made their relationship public when fans spotted Thompson in the background of Megan’s Instagram posts during a vacation in the Bahamas. They made their official red carpet debut later that month at Megan’s inaugural Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala in New York City. In an interview with People magazine in February 2026, Megan described the relationship as feeling “overly comfortable” and said Thompson is “genuinely a nice person” who makes her “genuinely happy.” She credited her therapy and self-healing work for opening her up to the relationship.

 

Thompson and Megan have been frequently seen together at Mavericks games, where Megan supports her boyfriend courtside in eye-catching outfits. She has also shared videos of Thompson teaching her golf and of herself cooking for his family during Thanksgiving 2025, with Thompson’s father, Mychal giving her cooking a “10 out of 10” rating. In October 2025, the couple sparked speculation that they had moved in together when Megan posted photos of them making “heart hands” while holding keys in front of a house. Thompson has faced criticism from some basketball commentators, including former NBA champion Jason Williams, who attributed his shooting struggles to the high-profile relationship. However, the couple has remained unbothered by critics and continues to publicly display their affection on social media. In October 2025, Megan released a song titled “Lover Girl,” which fans believe was inspired by her relationship with Thompson.

 

References

 

External Links

* Klay Thompson on NBA.com

* Klay Thompson on Basketball-Reference.com