Dijon Thompson
Encyclopedia
Dijon Lynn Thompson is an American
professional basketball
player. While he played mainly at the shooting guard
position in his early career, he proved he can also play as a small forward
, during his European years.
having an all time scoring average of 15.6 points per game including 18.4 as a junior. He scored a career-high 39 points against Arizona State
on February 10, 2005.
Thompson declared for the NBA draft
after the conclusion of his junior year, but withdrew to return for his senior season. That year he led the Bruins to the NCAA Tournament
after a two-year absence.
in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft
(54th pick overall), being soon traded along with forward-center
Kurt Thomas
to the Phoenix Suns
, in exchange for guard Quentin Richardson
, the draft rights to guard Nate Robinson
and cash considerations. On November 4, 2005 the Suns assigned him to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds
of the NBA D-League
where he averaged 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
In March 2006, Thompson underwent microfracture surgery
on his right knee
, causing him to sit out the rest of the season. He also took part in 2006–07's preseason, but was not offered a contract.
On January 6, 2007, Thompson was signed to a 10-day contract by the Atlanta Hawks
.
. ALBA and Thompson agreed to part ways in May 2008.
On June 10, 2008, Thompson signed a contract with Azovmash Mariupol
.
On September 4, 2009, Thompson signed a 2-year contract with Hapoel Jerusalem B.C..
He played the 2010-11 season for BC Spartak Saint Petersburg in the Russian Professional Basketball League.
In July 2011 he signed a one-year contract with ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne
in France
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. While he played mainly at the shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
position in his early career, he proved he can also play as a small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
, during his European years.
College
Thompson was a standout at UCLAUniversity of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
having an all time scoring average of 15.6 points per game including 18.4 as a junior. He scored a career-high 39 points against Arizona State
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
on February 10, 2005.
Thompson declared for the NBA draft
2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
after the conclusion of his junior year, but withdrew to return for his senior season. That year he led the Bruins to the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
after a two-year absence.
NBA
Thompson was chosen by the New York KnicksNew York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
(54th pick overall), being soon traded along with forward-center
Forward-Center
Forward–center is a basketball position for players who play or have played both forward and center on a consistent basis. Typically, this means power forward and center, since these are usually the two biggest player positions on any basketball team, and therefore more often overlap each...
Kurt Thomas
Kurt Thomas (basketball)
Kurt Vincent Thomas is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Chicago Bulls. Thomas is a 6'9", 230 lb. power forward/center known for his hard-nosed playing style and tough defense. Drafted by the Miami Heat in 1995, Thomas played college basketball at Texas...
to the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
, in exchange for guard Quentin Richardson
Quentin Richardson
Quentin Richardson is an American professional basketball player who plays for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic...
, the draft rights to guard Nate Robinson
Nate Robinson
Nathaniel Cornelius Robinson is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder...
and cash considerations. On November 4, 2005 the Suns assigned him to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Albuquerque Thunderbirds
The New Mexico Thunderbirds were a professional NBA Development League minor league basketball team which played from 2005-2011. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Thunderbirds first played their home games at Tingley Coliseum as the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, then played at the Santa Ana Star...
of the NBA D-League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
where he averaged 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
In March 2006, Thompson underwent microfracture surgery
Microfracture surgery
Microfracture surgery is one of the articular cartilage repair surgical techniques that works by creating tiny fractures in the underlying bone. This causes new cartilage to develop from a so-called super-clot...
on his right knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
, causing him to sit out the rest of the season. He also took part in 2006–07's preseason, but was not offered a contract.
On January 6, 2007, Thompson was signed to a 10-day contract by the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
.
European career
On July 27, 2007, Thompson signed a one-year contract with ALBA BerlinALBA Berlin
-Depth Chart:* Denotes injured player.-Championships:*German Championships: 8 *German Cups: 6 *Korać Cups: 1 -Notable players:- Season by season :-External links:...
. ALBA and Thompson agreed to part ways in May 2008.
On June 10, 2008, Thompson signed a contract with Azovmash Mariupol
Azovmash Mariupol
Azovmash Mariupol is a Ukrainian professional basketball club. It was founded in 1990 in the city of Mariupol in South-Eastern Ukraine. It now takes part in 3 competitions: Ukrainian SuperLeague, Ukrainian Cup and the ULEB Eurocup. The home court is Azovmash Arena. It is one of the strongest teams...
.
On September 4, 2009, Thompson signed a 2-year contract with Hapoel Jerusalem B.C..
He played the 2010-11 season for BC Spartak Saint Petersburg in the Russian Professional Basketball League.
In July 2011 he signed a one-year contract with ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne
ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne
ASVEL Basket or ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne is a French professional basketball team located in the city of Villeurbanne, which is a suburb of Lyon, France. The club, which is the basketball section of the ASVEL multi-sport club, competes in the French Pro A league. The club's home games are played at...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.