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As of 2024, Tristan Thompson is not retired from basketball. The Canadian professional basketball player has played 13 seasons in the NBA, 10 of which were with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has also played for the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers. Thompson was drafted fourth overall by the Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft after playing one season of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tristan Trevor James Thompson |
| Date of Birth | March 13, 1991 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Teams Played For | Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers |
| Current Team | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Position | Center-Forward |
| Draft Status | Drafted fourth overall by the Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft |
| Recent Performance | 7 points and 12 rebounds in 20 minutes during a loss to the Pacers |
| Career Lows | 1.7 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, and 8.2 minutes per game |
| Retirement | No information found regarding retirement |
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What You'll Learn
Tristan Thompson's basketball career
Tristan Thompson is a Canadian professional basketball player who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born in Brampton, Ontario, and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. Thompson attended high school in both Canada and the United States, playing basketball at St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School in Brampton and Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey.
Thompson played one season of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns, where he excelled and was drafted fourth overall by the Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft. At the time, he was the highest-drafted Canadian-born player in NBA history. Thompson made his NBA debut on December 26, 2011, and played for the Cavaliers until 2025. During his time with the Cavaliers, he won an NBA championship in 2016 and was an NBA All-Rookie in 2012.
In addition to his success with the Cavaliers, Thompson has also played for several other NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers. He has represented Canada in international competitions, playing for the Canadian national team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in 2008 and the FIBA Under-19 World Championship in 2009. Thompson has also competed in qualifying tournaments for the FIBA World Cup.
Throughout his career, Thompson has been known for his strong rebounding and defensive skills. While his scoring averages have varied throughout his time in the NBA, he has consistently contributed rebounds, blocks, and steals to his teams. Thompson's career averages include 8.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game.
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Thompson's teams
Tristan Thompson is not retired from basketball and currently plays for the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Here is a detailed look at the teams Thompson has played for during his career:
Cleveland Cavaliers (2011-2020):
Thompson was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. He quickly became a key player for the Cavaliers, known for his rebounding and defensive skills. Thompson played an important role in the Cavaliers' championship run in 2016, where they came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors and win the NBA Finals. This was the Cavaliers' first championship in franchise history, and Thompson's contribution on the boards and in the paint was significant. However, after LeBron James' departure in 2018, the Cavaliers entered a rebuilding phase, and Thompson found himself in a supporting role.
Boston Celtics (2020-2021):
In November 2020, Thompson signed a two-year contract with the Boston Celtics. He joined a Celtics team that was expected to contend for a championship, but his role was more limited than in Cleveland. Thompson provided frontcourt depth and mentorship to the younger players on the team. However, his time with the Celtics was short-lived, as he was traded midway through the 2020-21 season.
Sacramento Kings (2021):
Thompson was traded to the Sacramento Kings in March 2021 as part of a three-team deal. He played a veteran presence role in the Kings' young frontcourt, starting in 30 of his 36 appearances and averaging 22.6 minutes per game. Thompson's time with the Kings lasted just over two months, as he became a free agent at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Indiana Pacers (2021-2022):
In August 2021, Thompson signed a training camp contract with the NBA's Indiana Pacers. He made the final roster and played 33 games for the Pacers, starting in 13 of them. Thompson averaged 6.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during his stint with the team. However, he was waived by the Pacers in January 2022.
Chicago Bulls (2022-present):
In the 2022 offseason, Thompson signed a contract with the Chicago Bulls, joining a team that was looking to return to playoff contention. Thompson provides veteran experience and frontcourt depth for the Bulls, playing a key role off the bench. He has been a valuable addition, providing energy and physicality in the paint, and helping the Bulls compete in the Eastern Conference.
Throughout his career, Thompson has been known for his toughness, rebounding, and defensive skills, making him a valuable asset to any team he plays for.
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Awards and accolades
Tristan Thompson is a Canadian professional basketball player who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has not retired from basketball. Here is a detailed list of his awards and accolades:
- Thompson won the Texas Longhorns' Most Valuable Player award for the 2010–11 season, as voted for by his teammates. He averaged 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
- Thompson was one of five finalists for the Wayman Tisdale Award, an honour given to the National Freshman of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
- He won the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award, as well as first-team NABC All-District 8 and USBWA All-District VII honours.
- Thompson led the Texas Longhorns in rebounding, blocked shots (86), double-doubles (10), and field goal percentage (.546) while ranking second in scoring.
- He helped the Texas Longhorns finish the 2010–11 season with a 28–8 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. The Longhorns finished No. 8 in the final AP poll.
- Thompson was the fourth Canadian to be named a McDonald's All-American.
- He was also named a Jordan Brand Classic All-American.
- Thompson was the highest-drafted Canadian-born player in NBA history when he was drafted fourth overall by the Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft.
- He won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016.
- Thompson represented Canada Basketball at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in 2008, winning a bronze medal.
- He was named to the All-Rookie Second Team in 2011-12.
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Rumours of retirement
As of 2024, Tristan Thompson is not retired from basketball. However, there have been rumours of his impending retirement. In 2024, Thompson was a free agent and signed a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with whom he has played 10 of his 13 seasons. This sparked speculation that his career might be coming to an end, with some suggesting that he was on the verge of retirement.
Thompson's advanced age in the context of the NBA fuelled these rumours. In comparison to other players, his relatively advanced years led some to believe he might soon retire. One commentator noted that Thompson is 6 and a half years younger than LeBron, who they believe still has a few years left in the league. This led them to question the assumption that Thompson was nearing retirement.
Thompson's performance has also been a topic of discussion in relation to his career longevity. Some have argued that his performance in the 2024-2025 season, where he averaged career lows, indicated that he might be coming to the end of his career. His performance in a game against the Toronto Raptors, where he came off the bench in the closing seconds to dunk the basketball, sparked criticism and accusations of disrespect from the Raptors' coach.
Despite these rumours and speculations, Thompson has not announced any plans to retire. He continues to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers and remains an active player in the NBA as of 2024.
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Post-retirement plans
As of 2025, Tristan Thompson is still playing basketball. He is a Canadian professional basketball player who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016 and has also played for several other teams, including the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers.
However, there were rumours in 2021 that Thompson was planning to retire from the NBA after the 2021-22 season. This was allegedly mentioned in messages sent to Texas personal trainer Maralee Nichols, who was expecting his child. In the messages, Thompson referenced his retirement and the resulting change in his financial situation. Despite this, Thompson has continued to play in the NBA beyond the 2021-22 season, and there have been no recent reports of his retirement plans.
Thompson has not publicly announced any post-retirement plans, but it is possible that he may pursue a career in coaching or remain involved in basketball in some capacity. Some former players transition into coaching or analyst roles, and Thompson could potentially explore these options to stay connected to the sport.
Given his success and longevity in the NBA, Thompson may also consider a post-retirement career in basketball management or administration. He could explore opportunities within team management, player development, or even ownership, leveraging his experience and industry connections.
Outside of basketball, Thompson may explore entrepreneurial ventures or focus on personal interests and passions. Many retired athletes pursue business opportunities, invest in startups, or leverage their fame to support philanthropic causes. Thompson could also choose to prioritise spending time with his family and engaging in hobbies or recreational activities that were difficult to maintain during his basketball career.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Tristan Thompson is not retired from basketball. He is a Canadian professional basketball player who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Tristan Thompson has played in the NBA for 13 years, 10 of which were with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Tristan Thompson plays the center or center-forward position in basketball.
