University of Minnesota Athletics
Mychal Thompson - M Club Hall of Fame
Mychal Thompson
Men’s Basketball, 1975-78
HOF Class of 1993
Mychal Thompson, a 6-10 center from Nassau, Bahamas, was one of the greatest big men ever to play at the University of Minnesota.
A three-time All-Big Ten selection (1976-78) and two-time All-American (1977 and 1978), he posted career averages of 20.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
Thompson claimed several career records: 1,992 total points, 20.8 points per game, 823 field goals made, and 956 rebounds.
With first pick in the 1978 NBA draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Thompson; he was the first Gopher to be drafted first overall. He played 12 seasons with Portland and with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 13.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per pro game.
The Gophers retired his No. 43 at the close of his career in 1978.