Mychal Thompson Biography: Former Team, Awards, Salary, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Wife, Children

Mychal Thompson is a retired Bahamian-American basketball center and two-time NBA champion.

Born on January 30, 1955, in Nassau, Bahamas, he made history as the first foreign-born player to be selected first overall in the NBA Draft in 1978.

He played for the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers, winning titles with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988.

After retiring, he became a sports commentator. He is also known as the father of NBA star Klay Thompson.

Profile

• Full Name: Mychal George Thompson
• Stage Name: Mychal Thompson
• Born: January 30, 1955
• Age: 70 years old
• Birthplace: Nassau, Bahamas
• Nationality: Bahamian-American
• Occupation: Former professional basketball player, sports commentator
• Height: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m)
• Parent: Mr. and Mrs. Thompson
• Siblings: Klay Thompson,
• Spouse: Julie Thompson
• Children: Klay Thompson, Mychel Thompson, Trayce Thompson
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 – $2 million

Early Life And Education

Mychal George Thompson was born on January 30, 1955, in Nassau, Bahamas. He is 70 years old. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and raised in a modest household in the Bahamian capital. Details about his siblings have not been publicly disclosed, but he grew up in a close-knit family environment.

Mychal is of Afro-Bahamian descent, representing the Black ethnic group native to the Caribbean region. He was raised in a Christian household and has continued to identify with the Christian faith throughout his life.

At a young age, Mychal showed a strong interest in sports, particularly basketball. To pursue better opportunities, he moved from the Bahamas to the United States as a teenager. He attended Miami Jackson Senior High School in Florida, where he quickly made a name for himself as a standout basketball player.

His high school performances earned him a scholarship to the University of Minnesota, where he played collegiate basketball for the Golden Gophers. In Minnesota, he developed into a dominant center and set the foundation for his future NBA career.

Career

Mychal Thompson began his professional basketball journey in 1978 when he made history by becoming the first foreign-born player ever selected as the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft.

He was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, where he played the bulk of his early career. During his time in Portland, Thompson established himself as a reliable center and power forward, known for his rebounding, defensive strength, and basketball IQ.

He spent seven seasons with the Trail Blazers, consistently putting up solid numbers and earning a reputation as one of the league’s dependable big men. In 1986, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, but his stint there was brief.

Later that same year, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers, which would prove to be the defining chapter of his NBA career. With the Lakers, Thompson became a vital part of the team’s second unit, providing strong support off the bench behind Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

He was a key contributor during the Lakers’ “Showtime” era and played a major role in helping the team win back-to-back NBA championships in 1987 and 1988. His size, experience, and ability to play both frontcourt positions made him an ideal fit in the Lakers’ rotation.

Thompson retired from professional basketball in 1991 after a 13-year NBA career. Over the course of his career, he played in more than 900 games and averaged 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

Following his retirement from the NBA, Mychal transitioned into sports broadcasting. He became a well-known radio color commentator for the Los Angeles Lakers on their flagship station. His insightful analysis, combined with his firsthand championship experience, made him a respected voice in basketball commentary.

Awards and Nominations

• 2× NBA Champion (1987, 1988)
• No. 43 jersey retired by the University of Minnesota
• First overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft

Social Media

• Twitter handle: @champagnennuts

Personal Life

Retired Bahamian-American basketball center and two-time NBA champion, Mychal Thompson, is married to Julie Thompson. The couple has been together for several decades and officially tied the knot in 1987.

Their marriage has been strong and enduring, and together they have raised three sons: Klay Thompson, a multiple-time NBA champion and All-Star with the Golden State Warriors; Mychel Thompson, a former professional basketball player; and Trayce Thompson, a Major League Baseball player.

There are no publicly known previous relationships associated with him before his marriage to Julie. He stands tall at 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters), a height that gave him a significant advantage throughout his basketball career.

Net Worth

Mychal Thompson has an estimated net worth of $1 – $2 million. His primary source of income was his career as a professional basketball player, spanning 13 seasons in the NBA.

During his time with teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers, he earned substantial contracts, especially in the 1980s, when the league began to grow commercially.

After retiring from basketball in 1991, Mychal transitioned into sports broadcasting, becoming a radio commentator for the Los Angeles Lakers. His long-standing role as a color analyst has continued to provide a steady stream of income.