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 | 37 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 | April 2024 |
Jason Thompson: Early Life & Family
Chuck Thompson is Jason’s father, and Sharyn Thompson is his mother. Ryan, his younger brother, was a college basketball player for Rider University and then played professionally in Europe.
Besides, Ryan Jason Thompson also has a cousin named Tiffany Carroll.
Jason Thompson sat at his family’s New Jersey home on a summer night in June 2008, watching the official NBA draft.
It had been the biggest night of his life up to that point. His family, including his parents, brother, and agent, kept him company.
Jason expected to be selected in the draft’s first round as a standout student-athlete for the Rider Broncs, but he never expected to be selected among the top 14 picks.
The Sacramento Kings texted Thompson’s agent five minutes before the public announcement, notifying him that his client would be the 12th overall choice. Thompson couldn’t believe his eyes.
Before allowing the news to settle in, Jason Thompson waited to hear his name read aloud on television. “I always used to help out with my grandmother when she assisted out a lot at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Tabernacle in Burlington,” Thompson recalled.
“Most of the time, my grandma volunteered at soup kitchens and helped others, and I recall being a young child who always wanted to help around the house.”
College Career
Jason Thompson, a native of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, guided Lenape High School to the New Jersey Group IV state championship in 2004.
He went on to play four seasons of collegiate basketball for the Rider Broncs men’s basketball team, averaging 20 points and ten rebounds per game in 2006–07. The athlete was one of three players in the NCAA in 2006–07 to do so.
Thompson averaged 20.4 points, 2.7 assists, 12.1 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals a game as a senior in 2007–08.
His best game was against Marist College on March 9, 2008, when he had 32 points and 18 rebounds. Thompson scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 74–53 loss for Rider.
He had a solid 23–10 regular season and conference tournament record, but he still lost out on an at-large trip to the NIT.
Rider, on the other hand, was invited to the first College Basketball Invitational tournament in 2008. He finished his undergraduate career as the Broncs’ all-time top rebounder.
Professional Career
The former Lenape High School great spent eight NBA seasons, seven of them with the Sacramento Kings, who selected him with the 12th overall choice in the 2008 NBA Draft.
His last NBA seasons were with the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors in 2015-16, and he has spent the last three years playing professionally overseas.
The big man left the NBA at the end of the 2015-16 season to join the Chinese League, where he made his first appearance with the Shandong Golden Stars in 2016.
Thompson’s first taste of European basketball came in the 2017-18 season, when he joined Fenerbahce under Zeljko Obradovic, a year after the Turkish team won its first-ever EuroLeague title.
Even though his time on the floor was limited, he quickly became a fan favorite. He signed a deal with Casademont Zaragoza in February 2020, only weeks before the COVID-19 outbreak forced a halt to all operations.
The Wisconsin Herd acquired Thompson via the available player pool on January 7, 2022.
Body Features
Thompson is at the lofty height of 6 feet 11 inches and weighs 113 kg, with a huge body and a superb blend of strength, athleticism, and talent.
He plays center and power forward and has good lateral quickness and length, allowing him to keep up with most players in his position.
Thompson was influenced as a young man by Shawnee’s Malik Allen and Camden High’s Dajuan Wagner, who played in the NBA.
Basketball has provided him with numerous experiences that he will never forget, including a successful professional sports career.
Jason Thompson: Media Presence
According to the IMDB, a documentary was made on the life of Jason Thompson. The Sacramento Kings’ Jason is the subject of One-Shot.
With the help and affection of family and friends, this is a success story. Jason and his brother Ryan Thompson only got one chance to play in the NBA.
They both wanted to play in the NBA after winning a state title in high school and graduating from Rider University. Unfortunately, not all of those dreams came true.
He is also well-known for his role in the television series General Hospital. He signed with Casademont Zaragoza of the Liga ACB on February 1, 2020.
Charity Works
Jason and his family were devastated when his cousin Tiffany died of heart illness at the age of 25 in 2010, while his career was rising as a King’s sophomore.
The tragic news of her death inspired the player to become a heart health advocate, resulting in the formation of the JT Foundation.
The foundation aims to positively impact children and young adults in “unique and effective ways” while actively addressing strategies to deal with everyday heart health challenges.
Thompson has been running his own JT Elite Basketball Camp since 2007. In addition to social awareness, the Foundation aims to bring improvement in the quality of life.
Every summer, children from all over the United States can join the now-seasoned Zaragoza star to study and enhance their talents.
However, in 2020 it was canceled owing to the obstacles faced by the coronavirus outbreak that forced this year’s camp to be canceled.
Thompson also hosts 12 yearly basketball clinics for 200-250 kids each year. The first eight were held in Sacramento, with the final four held in West Deptford at RiverWinds.
Jason Thompson: Net Worth
As of now, Jason Thompson has a net worth of $25 million from his NBA earnings as a player. His salary was reported to be $1,352,181 when he retired in 2011. His NBA career also reportedly netted him millions of dollars.
According to public documents, after signing a five-year, $34-million contract deal with the Kings, Jason Thompson bought a lakefront home in Roseville for $1.25 million.
Despite having a bloated $6 million-per-year contract through 2016-17, Thompson has had seven head coaches in as many years and has been surrounded by a mostly awful squad.
Moreover, he has been the subject of trade speculations practically every season he’s been in Sacramento.
The 5,000-square-foot home of Jason, which was built in 2005, sits on more than half an acre with a view of the water.
The outdoor features include a waterfall-fed swimming pool, a fire pit, and a half-court basketball. From the property, stone steps lead to a paddle boat landing.
Girlfriend
Jason Thompson is not married, and, more importantly, he prefers to keep his personal life very private and away from public attention.
However, it was rumored that a girl named Karina was on the air as his girlfriend.
His basketball profession looks to be more important to him than a personal relationship.
For the time being, his adoring fans and well-wishers can only hope that the Basketball star will reveal more about his personal life in the near future.
Read more about Julie Pierce, the wife of the former American basketball player Paul Pierce.
Social Media Presence
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.
