John Thompson
MD, US
Former Head Basketball Coach at Georgetown University
From the moment he stepped into the head coaching position at Georgetown University in 1972, John Thompson told his team, which had compiled a 3-23 record the previous year, that the program would someday win a national championship. With a strong work ethic and an even stronger commitment to his players' lives off the basketball court, Thompson began working toward that goal. By the 1974-75 season, the Hoyas had reached the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional, and in 1984, Georgetown won the national championship crown by defeating Houston, 84-75. On Jan. 8, 1999, Thompson stunned the basketball world when he resigned at Georgetown, but his legacy had been firmly built. In 27 years, Thompson compiled a 596-239 (.714) record. His teams appeared in three NCAA Final Fours (1982, 1984, 1985), played in 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments (1979-92), made 24 consecutive post-season appearances (20 NCAA, 4 NIT) and won seven Big East Tournament championships. Most impressively, 75 of his 77 players who remained all four seasons (97 percent) received their degrees and 26 of his players have been drafted by the NBA (eight in the first round). In recognition of his tremendous achievements on the court, Thompson has won seven Coach of the Year Awards-Big East (1980, 1987, 1992), United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) and The Sporting News (1984), National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) in 1985, and United Press International in 1987. On the international circuit, Thompson led the U.S. to a bronze medal in the 1988 Olympic Games and was an assistant coach for the 1976 gold medal-winning team. Prior to his coaching days, which began at St. Anthony's High School (122-28), the Washington, D.C., native enjoyed a solid playing career at Archbishop John Carroll High School, Providence College and in the NBA with the Boston Celtics. At John Carroll, Thompson was an All-America and won two city championships. Thompson helped Providence reach two NITs, including one championship, and one NCAA Tournament. As a member of the Boston Celtics, Thompson was the back-up center for Bill Russell on two Celtic NBA championship teams (1965 and 1966).
From the moment he stepped into the head coaching position at Georgetown University in 1972, John Thompson told his team, which had compiled a 3-23 record the previous year, that the program would someday win a national championship. With a strong work ethic and an even stronger commitment to his players' lives off the basketball court, Thompson began working toward that goal. By the 1974-75 season, the Hoyas had reached the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional, and in 1984, Georgetown won the national championship crown by defeating Houston, 84-75. On Jan. 8, 1999, Thompson stunned the basketball world when he resigned at Georgetown, but his legacy had been firmly built. In 27 years, Thompson compiled a 596-239 (.714) record. His teams appeared in three NCAA Final Fours (1982, 1984, 1985), played in 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments (1979-92), made 24 consecutive post-season appearances (20 NCAA, 4 NIT) and won seven Big East Tournament championships. Most impressively, 75 of his 77 players who remained all four seasons (97 percent) received their degrees and 26 of his players have been drafted by the NBA (eight in the first round). In recognition of his tremendous achievements on the court, Thompson has won seven Coach of the Year Awards-Big East (1980, 1987, 1992), United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) and The Sporting News (1984), National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) in 1985, and United Press International in 1987. On the international circuit, Thompson led the U.S. to a bronze medal in the 1988 Olympic Games and was an assistant coach for the 1976 gold medal-winning team. Prior to his coaching days, which began at St. Anthony's High School (122-28), the Washington, D.C., native enjoyed a solid playing career at Archbishop John Carroll High School, Providence College and in the NBA with the Boston Celtics. At John Carroll, Thompson was an All-America and won two city championships. Thompson helped Providence reach two NITs, including one championship, and one NCAA Tournament. As a member of the Boston Celtics, Thompson was the back-up center for Bill Russell on two Celtic NBA championship teams (1965 and 1966).
2010