Calvin Thompson

Calvin Thompson, better known as KU Basketball Great "Pony" Thompson. Member of Kansas' 1986 Final Four team. Owner of Kansas record for most consecutive free throws made at 33 in 1983-84. Second-team All-Big Eight in 1983 and 1984. All-Big Eight Tournament team 1983 and 1984. Member of 1986 All-NCAA Midwest Regional team.^[1]

On June 17, 1986, the New York Knicks selected Thompson in Round 4 with Pick 1 in the 1986 NBA draft.^[2]

Calvin played two seasons in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) after brief stints in camp with the Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and the San Antonio Spurs.

After spending time in camp with the Spurs he was offered a contract by the Houston Rockets and Lyon out of France. He chose to venture to France where he played professionally for two years, then another five years in Israel before retiring to start up his Hoop Service basketball program. Hoop Service Bulldogs, which play under the ThreeFive, Inc. umbrella, which is a not for profit entity based out of Kansas City, is for both boys and girls grade 3-12.

Thompson finished his college career tied for 1st for games started and games played in a season, 3rd in minutes played, 4th in scoring, 5th in assists, 7th in steals, 13th in blocks, and 19th in rebounds in Kansas Jayhawk history.

During his 1st CBA season where he averaged 21 ppg, and 5 rebounds per game, he was named CBA Rookie Runner-Up Of The Year and he was the first Rookie to be named to the CBA's All Star Game. In May 1987 (CBA off-season) Participated with Formula Shell in the Philippines. He averaged 42 points and 8 rebounds per game.

Thompson also coached the Kansas City Mustangs of the Women's American Basketball Association professional league in 1995.

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