NC State unveiled its latest campus fixture last Wednesday morning: a statue of former basketball star and NCAA national champion David Thompson outside of Reynolds Coliseum.
“It’s a big moment not only for me but for my family,” Thompson said. “It means a lot to be the first player (with a statute). There’s only one first player, and to be that one, you gotta be special, so I’m just grateful for them choosing me to be that first one.”
A Boiling Springs native, Thompson played for the Wolfpack from 1972-75 and averaged 26.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He led NC State to two straight undefeated seasons in ACC play and was the superstar on the school’s first championship team in 1974.
In all three of his collegiate years, Thompson earned ACC Player of the Year and consensus All-American honors, and he was The Associated Press National Player of the Year twice (1974, 1975). Thompson’s No. 44 is the only retired number in NC State men’s basketball history.
“The timing was perfect in conjunction with the 50-year anniversary,” Thompson said. “As you know, we’re not getting any younger, and I’m glad to have a statue there while I’m still alive. Timing is everything, and I think it’s a great time. Having a chance for my grandkids to see the statue and my daughters and to just be around and come back and reflect on the times we had together.”
Thompson joins former coaches Jim Valvano, Kay Yow, Everett Case and Norm Sloan in having been immortalized with a statue outside of Reynolds.
The statue, which was created by artist David Alan Clark of Wyoming, is a 13-foot bronze likeness of Thompson in the process of catching an alley-oop pass.
Nicknamed “Skywalker,” Thompson was famous for his 44-inch vertical leap which is also immortalized in the statue — the stainless steel base is 44 inches off the ground.
“It turned out real good,” Thompson said of the statue. “Except they could have had (former UCLA star Bill) Walton up under me. I think they did a good job with it, and what’s really good is showing my 44-inch vertical on there. Having me levitating above the rim because that’s what I did back in the day.”
Thompson played in an era during which dunking was banned by the NCAA, but his incredible leaping ability was still utilized and integral in Sloan’s offensive scheme. Thompson and teammate Monte Towe are said to have invented the alley-oop, in which Towe would toss the ball high up above the rim where Thompson would grab it and drop it into the basket.
Thompson’s ability to elevate above the rim was second to none, and while he was perhaps one of the greatest collegiate players ever, Thompson also noted that he was surrounded by great teammates during his time at NC State.
“Our team was special,” Thompson said. “We had an exciting style of play. We played above the rim, we played fast, we had a circus team. We scored 150 points or something and won by 75 sometimes. Won 34 straight ACC games, which is crazy. Nobody will ever do that again. Just the style of play and the excitement we brought to the game. I think even the other teams in the ACC enjoyed watching us play.”
Following his collegiate career, Thompson played nine pro seasons in the ABA and NBA before a knee injury forced him into retirement in 1984.
In 1996, Thompson was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Getting inducted into the Hall of Fame is really good,” Thompson said, “but being the first at your university and in the history of the school (to have a statute), that has to be No. 1.”
Thompson is also No. 1 among the Wolfpack faithful.
“I just want to thank NC State fans for all the love and support,” Thompson said. “They’ve been with me through thick and thin, ups and downs, and they always showed me love whenever I came to the games or when I see them out on the streets. I love the fan support. They always stick with their team through good and bad, and I’m praying that we have another national championship for them in the near future.”
