NC State Newsstand: Everything you need to know for the David Thompson statue unveiling
NC State men’s basketball legend David Thompson is set to be honored as the first former Wolfpack player to receive a statute on campus. The official unveiling will happen Wednesday morning outside of Reynolds Coliseum ahead of the Pack’s Heritage Game against Maryland Eastern Shore that night.
Thompson was an integral part of NC State’s 57-1 stretch over the 1972-73 and 1973-74 seasons, which culminated in the Wolfpack’s 1974 NCAA Tournament Championship over Marquette.
Thompson’s 29.9-point average during his senior season remains a single-season program record at NC State. His No. 44 jersey is the only retired number in NC State men’s basketball history.
Thompson was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1974 and the Associated Press’ National Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975 — one of five players to win it multiple times. He also was a three-time All-American and was named the ACC Player of the Year in three straight seasons.
Thompson finished his NC State career with 2,309 points in 86 games. He led the ACC in all three seasons he spent with the Wolfpack, and he graduated as the ACC’s leading scorer.
After his career in Raleigh ended, Thompson was the No. 1 pick in the 1975 NBA Draft as he was selected by the Atlanta Hawks, in addition to being the No. 1 pick in the American Basketball Association’s draft. He signed with the ABA’s Denver Nuggets and played with the team for eight years, some of which came after the ABA and NBA’s merger in 1978. He finished his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics.
During his professional career, Thompson was a four-time NBA All-Star, the 1979 NBA All-Star Game MVP and a two-time All-NBA First Team selection. He was also the ABA’s Rookie of the Year in 1976 and was named to the league’s All-Time Team. Thompson’s No. 33 jersey was retired by the Nuggets as well.
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The ceremony is an outdoor event on the northeast corner of Reynolds Coliseum, and it will begin at 11:30 a.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive around 11:15 a.m. Parking will be available in the Reynolds Coliseum pay lot adjacent to the building.
Chancellor Randy Woodson, Athletic Director Boo Corrigan and Thompson will all speak during the ceremony, while other NC State Athletics and basketball officials are expected to be in attendance.
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David Thompson was a walking bucket during his time on the court at NC State.
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Quote of the day
NC State linebacker Payton Wilson cares about his legacy in Raleigh.
“The awards are cool for me, but I want my legacy to be how people viewed me and how I treated people,” Wilson said. “The awards are awesome to have, but I just want people to remember me for who I am, and not for the glitz and glamor.”
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