#1 David Thompson
David Thompson is considered to be the best athlete in N.C . State’s history, but he is most remembered for his style of play. His incredible leaping ability allowed him to play higher above the rim than any had ever seen. It was this style that led to his nickname “Skywalker” and incredible success at every level of basketball.
Thompson, a Shelby native, committed to State after playing four years at Crest High School. Under head coach Norm Sloan, Thompson would establish himself as one of the greatest basketball players in the ACC.
At the time, freshman were not allowed to play at the varsity level, so Thompson would have to wait until his sophomore year to make his mark on the big stage. In the 1972-73 season, he averaged 24 points and eight rebounds per game. Thompson was a consensus All-American and a first team All-ACC member. He was named ACC Athlete of the Year and led the Wolfpack to an undefeated season. Unfortunately, the Pack (27-0) was barred from postseason play due to a recruiting infraction. The infraction, which was due to Thompson playing a pickup game with an assistant coach while visiting campus, prevented the chance of consecutive national championships for State.
The 1974 season was not only special for Thompson’s career, but for the Wolfpack fan base as well. The top-ranked Wolfpack beat No. 4 Maryland 103-100 in overtime in the ACC Tournament final, finally earning a trip to the NCAA tournament. State would later defeat reigning champion UCLA en route to a championship matchup against Marquette. Thompson scored 21 points and helped NCSU secure its first national championship. Weeks before, Thompson received 15 stitches in his head after falling to the ground while blocking a shot in the NCAA East Region game against Pittsburgh. The team finished 30-1 and Thompson was named tournament MVP. He was again named an All-American and All-ACC first team player. Thompson was also named the AP National Player of the Year.
The 1974-75 season started with high expectations, but State finished fourth in the ACC and failed to make the NCAA tournament. Although the Wolfpack’s season was seen as a disappointment to some, Thompson continued to receive numerous accolades. After averaging 29 points and eight rebounds his senior year, Thompson was named Player of the Year by nearly every media outlet. Thompson’s No. 44 jersey was retired the same year, and during his final home game, he recorded the only dunk of his collegiate career. Although dunking was illegal at the time, Thompson’s second-half fast break resulted in a two-handed tomahawk slam. The crowd at Reynolds Coliseum erupted, and Thompson walked to the bench amongst roars from the Wolfpack fans for the final time. David Thompson ended his college career as a three-time All-American, three-time ACC Player of the Year, two-time AP Player of the Year, and National Champion.
Thompson was drafted first-overall by both the ABA’s Denver Nuggets and the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. Thompson elected to join the Nuggets and was eventually named ABA Rookie of the Year. He was also an All-Star in his rookie season and competed head-to-head in the 1976 Slam Dunk Contest against Julius Erving . That same year, the two leagues would merge and Thompson finished his career in the National Basketball Association. Thompson averaged 22 points and four rebounds per game and was named to the All-Star team four times. He retired after the 1984 season, and his jersey was honored by the Nuggets eight years later.
Although Thompson suffered from drug and alcohol problems at the conclusion of his NBA career, he eventually put his life back together. With the help of a local pastor, Thompson became more devoted to his Christian faith and returned to N.C . State in 2003 to finish his degree in sociology. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996, and is still regarded as one of the greatest college basketball players of all-time.
