North Carolina State University Athletics
Your David Thompson Memories
6/1/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
We asked you to submit your memories of the great David Thompson. Here's a sampling of what we received.
Not only was David Thompson the greatest college basketball player ever, but he also was a great person. Never 'stuck' on himself or too good to talk with or play basketball with any of the student body. A humble human being by all accounts. Thanks for a nice reminder! Three cheers for D.T.
Ron Duyck, 1974
My dad played b-ball for Everett Case and I was sitting behind the State bench as a guest when I saw David hit the court. It was against Pitt and it was the most silence I've ever heard In Reynolds. Then it was almost surreal when D.T. came back in the building. It was the loudest I've ever heard Reynolds. I was thirteen years old and it left an impression upon my soul.
Thanks for the memories,
Dan Englehardt
It is hard to recall it all but it was about 1973 or 74. I was around six years old and saw David as the king of everything. I went to aa Wolfpack Club gathering with my family, somewhere off Avent Ferry Road. I asked my mother if I could have his autograph. She gave me one of her personalized Republic Bank checks with the walking wolf emblem embossed in the background. She walked up to David and I stood there hiding behind her legs. I reached around and gave him the check and asked for his autograph. It is so long ago that I can't even remember if I looked him in the eye. I probably didn't. Well, I still have that autograph but I let my mother keep it in her wallet. After all, it was her check.
David Hamilton, Hampton, Virginia
David was an ALL-AMERICAN in the truest meaning of the phrase! It was never about "him!"
Reid Paul
I visited an NCSU--Penn (or Pitt) game at Reynolds during Christmas break the year after the 1974 Championship. I was a young (13) ball player who pretended to be David Thompson on many occasions and was in awe the entire game. I witnessed a fast break by the visitors that had an incredible ending. The player with the ball pulled up for a jump shot somewhere around the top of the key. D.T. was halfway down the paint, jumped and grabbed the shot and threw a fast break pass down court before his feet touched the court. Honest truth!
I was able to visit the team after the game in the locker room and was amazed at D.T.'s quiet demeanor. It was difficult to tell from the locker room scene that he was the best basketball player in the country.
Even more incredible is D.T.'s personality each time I have met him since then. I conducted a basketball camp at a church in Easley, South Carolina a few years ago and I was as amazed at his life story as the kids were. He fortunately turned his life around after making some bad decisions when he was a pro player, so he is able to positively affect young people.
The saddest part of D.T.'s career is that so few young people recognize that he truly was a great pro player. Although he is a Hall of Famer, his off-court problems kept him from being named one of the 50 greatest players of all time. However, those who saw him play in college, the ABA or the NBA will always remember "Skywalker."
Chris H. Gardner
In the summers of 1973 and '74, I attended the Norm Sloan Basketball Camps. I was a mere 11 and 12 years old, and of course the entire team was in Raleigh then, including Monte, Tommy, Phil, Mo, Tim and Dave, etc. Both summers I stayed on campus in the dorms with D.T. as my counselor. He and Greg Hawkins were roomates in 1973 for that session of summer camp and I was in their suite. Well after initially being in awe of Mr. Thompson, or Dave as he suggested I address him, he made me and my roomate feel right at home and comfortable. I saw him in the morning, during the day, and then at dinner. Lastly, after the counselors played their evening scrimmage, Dave would take me with him to get ice cream and even go over to his girlfriend's apartment a couple of times. He was so down-to-earth and genuine--a real friend.
In closing, Dave would never remember me from those days, but I will remember the leadership and friendship he gave me those two summers, especially in 1973. So not only was he the best basketball player in the country at the time, he had to be the most genuine and humble star too. So Dave, I thank you for that fact, your friendship, and for the memories!
Patrick Hickey
I graduated from NC State in 1974 and probably missed about 2-3 home basketball games during my four years at State. I also went to a lot of practices and the players were allowed to dunk. As I'm sure you're aware, the players were not allowed to dunk during the games. The fans really missed a treat.
I was also at the practice after Thompson got hurt just before they left to go to Greensboro for the Final Four. They were running some fast breaks when coach Sloan stepped out on the floor and blew his whistle for practice to end. Thompson had the ball, took about one step over halfcourt and shot. Nothing bu net. There were about 10,000 people and Reynolds as they say was rocking. What a player.
Gene Roper
