Jason Thompson is a professional basketball player in the NBA G League for the Wisconsin Herd. He has played all over the world and garnered invaluable experience in the process.
From 2004 to 2008, he was a starting center for the Rider Broncs in college basketball, and the Sacramento Kings selected him in the first round of the 2008 NBA draft.
During the Kings’ time in Sacramento, he owns the record for most games played. Thompson has spent the last few seasons playing basketball in China, Turkey, and Spain.
Thompson hopes that his 10-year NBA career, the first seven of which he spent with the Kings, would inspire the next generation.
Continue reading to learn more about the basketball prodigy who has piqued many people’s interest thanks to his giving demeanor and talent.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Jason Carlton Thompson |
| Known as | Jason Thompson |
| Nickname | Not Available |
| Birth Date | July 21, 1986 |
| Birth Place | Mount Laurel, New Jersey |
| Residence | Not Available |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Education |
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| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Father’s Name | Chuck Thompson |
| Mother’s Name | Sharyn Thompson |
| Siblings | Ryan Thompson (brother) |
| Age | 35 years old |
| Height | 6 feet 11 inches |
| Weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Body type | Athletic |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Girlfriend | Not Available |
| Children | None |
| Active since | 2008 – present |
| NBA Teams | Sacramento Kings Golden State Warriors Toronto Raptors |
| Endorsements | Not Available |
| Net Worth | $25 million |
| NBA Draft Pick | 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12th overall |
| Position | Center & Power Forward |
| League | NBA |
| Merch | Basketball Card |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Last Update | July 2022 |
Jason Thompson’s Childhood and Family
Jason’s father is Chuck Thompson, and his mother is Sharyn Thompson. Ryan, his younger brother, played college basketball for Rider University before going pro in Europe.
In addition, Ryan Jason Thompson has a cousin named Tiffany Carroll. On a summer night in June 2008, Jason Thompson sat in his family’s New Jersey home, watching the official NBA draft.
It had been the most important night of his life up until that point. His family kept him company, including his parents, brother, and agent.
Jason expected to be selected in the first round as a standout Rider Broncs student-athlete, but he never expected to be selected among the top 14 picks.
Five minutes before the public announcement, the Sacramento Kings texted Thompson’s agent to inform him that his client would be the 12th overall pick. Thompson couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Jason Thompson waited to hear his name read aloud on television before allowing the news to sink in. “I used to help out a lot with my grandmother at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Tabernacle in Burlington,” Thompson recalled.
“Most of the time, my grandmother volunteered at soup kitchens and assisted others, and I remember as a young child wanting to help around the house.”
College Life
Jason Thompson, a Mount Laurel, New Jersey native, led Lenape High School to the Group IV state championship in 2004.
He went on to play collegiate basketball for the Rider Broncs for four seasons, averaging 20 points and ten rebounds per game in 2006-07. In 2006-07, the athlete was one of three players in the NCAA to do so.
As a senior in 2007-08, Thompson averaged 20.4 points, 2.7 assists, 12.1 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game.
On March 9, 2008, he had 32 points and 18 rebounds in a game against Marist College. Thompson had 22 points and 12 rebounds in Rider’s 74-53 loss.
Despite a strong 23-10 regular season and conference tournament record, he was denied an at-large bid to the NIT.
In contrast, Rider was invited to the inaugural College Basketball Invitational tournament in 2008. He finished his collegiate career as the Broncs’ all-time leading rebounder.
Professional Development
The former Lenape High School standout played in the NBA for eight seasons, seven of which he spent with the Sacramento Kings, who selected him with the 12th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
In 2015-16, he played for the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors, and he has spent the last three years playing professionally overseas.
At the end of the 2015-16 season, the big man left the NBA to join the Chinese League, where he made his debut with the Shandong Golden Stars in 2016.
Thompson got his first taste of European basketball in the 2017-18 season, when he joined Fenerbahce under Zeljko Obradovic, a year after the Turkish team won its first EuroLeague championship.
Despite his limited playing time, he quickly became a fan favorite. In February 2020, he signed a contract with Casademont Zaragoza, just weeks before the COVID-19 outbreak forced a halt to all operations.
On January 7, 2022, the Wisconsin Herd acquired Thompson through the available player pool.
Body Characteristics
Thompson stands 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 113 kg, with a massive body and an exceptional blend of strength, athleticism, and talent.
He can play center or power forward and has good lateral quickness and length to keep up with most players in his position.
Thompson was influenced as a young man by NBA players Shawnee’s Malik Allen and Camden High’s Dajuan Wagner. Basketball has given him many unforgettable experiences, including a successful professional sports career.
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Jason Thompson: Publicity
According to IMDB, a documentary about Jason Thompson’s life was made. Jason of the Sacramento Kings is the subject of One-Shot.
This is a success story thanks to the support and love of family and friends. Jason and his brother Ryan Thompson each had one shot at playing in the NBA.
After winning a state championship in high school and graduating from Rider University, they both aspired to play in the NBA. Unfortunately, not all of those wishes were granted.
He is also well-known for his appearance on the television show General Hospital. On February 1, 2020, he signed with Casademont Zaragoza of the Liga ACB.
Charity Functions
Jason and his family were devastated when his cousin Tiffany died of a heart attack at the age of 25 in 2010, just as his career as a sophomore at King’s was taking off.
The tragic news of her death inspired the player to become a heart health advocate, which led to the establishment of the JT Foundation.
The foundation’s goal is to have a positive impact on children and young adults in “unique and effective ways,” while also actively addressing strategies for dealing with everyday heart health challenges.
Since 2007, Thompson has run his own JT Elite Basketball Camp. In addition to raising social awareness, the Foundation seeks to improve people’s quality of life.
Every summer, children from all over the United States can study and improve their skills with the now-seasoned Zaragoza star.
However, it was canceled in 2020 due to the difficulties caused by the coronavirus outbreak that forced this year’s camp to be canceled.
Thompson also holds 12 basketball clinics per year for 200-250 kids. The first eight were held in Sacramento, with the final four at RiverWinds in West Deptford.
Jason Thompson’s Salary
Jason Thompson currently has a net worth of $25 million as a result of his NBA earnings. When he retired in 2011, his salary was reported to be $1,352,181. His NBA career is also said to have earned him millions of dollars.
According to public records, Jason Thompson paid $1.25 million for a lakefront home in Roseville after signing a five-year, $34-million contract with the Kings.
Despite a six-year, $6 million contract extension through 2016-17, Thompson has had seven head coaches in as many years and has been surrounded by a mostly bad team.
Furthermore, he has been the subject of trade rumors almost every season he has been in Sacramento. Jason’s 5,000-square-foot home, built in 2005, sits on more than half an acre with a view of the water.
A waterfall-fed swimming pool, a fire pit, and a half-court basketball court are among the outdoor amenities. Stone steps lead from the property to a paddle boat landing.
Girlfriend
Jason Thompson is not married, and he prefers to keep his personal life private and away from public scrutiny. However, it was rumored that he had a girlfriend on the show named Karina. Basketball appears to be more important to him than a personal relationship.
For the time being, his adoring fans and well-wishers can only hope that in the near future, the Basketball star will reveal more about his personal life.
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Social Media Presence
- Instagram– 135k followers (As 2022)
- Twitter– 94.6k followers (As of 2022)
Award & Achievements
- No. 1 retired by Rider Broncs
- CBA rebounding leader (2019)
- Turkish President’s Cup winner (2017)
- Haggerty Award (2008)
- MAAC Player of the Year (2008)
- 2× First-team All-MAAC (2007, 2008)
- Second-team All-MAAC (2006)
FAQs
What is Jason Thompson’s points record in Sacramento Kings?
Thompson signed a rookie deal with the team in 2008-09 and averaged 11.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in 82 games during his debut season.
The Kings then extended his contract twice over the next two seasons before signing him to a multi-year deal that would last until his trade to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015.
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