Former Kings Forward Jason Thompson Announces Retirement, Joins Rider Staff
Oct 4, 2022, 8:35 AM
(Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Jason Thompson is saying goodbye to the hardwood and hello to the sideline.
The former Sacramento Kings forward announced his retirement from professional basketball on Monday after eight NBA seasons with the Kings, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors. Thompson, 36, most recently played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association.
In his retirement announcement, Thompson shared that he will join Rider University, his alma mater, as a special assistant to head coach Kevin Baggett.
Former lottery pick Jason Thompson (@jtthekid) has announced his retirement. The forward spent time with Sacramento, Golden State, and Toronto before taking his talents overseas.
Thompson is joining Rider’s Mens Basketball staff as an assistant.
— TheNextProspect (@TheNextProspect) October 3, 2022
“As I reflect on my career, Rider University has done so much for me both on and off the court – academically and through the basketball program,” Thompson said in his retirement announcements.
“Rider University has helped me on the court to become a 13-year pro and off the court to start the Jason Thompson Foundation, a leadership program and give back to the community. Even though I am retiring, I will not be leaving the game of basketball.
“I can’t think of a better way to still be around the game than by coming back to Rider University with Head Coach Kevin Baggett, who was an Assistant Coach when I played. I’m excited to be here and looking forward to taking the next steps into my new journey.”
Sacramento selected Thompson out of Rider with the 12th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft. The 6’11 forward averaged 9.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game and shot just under 50 percent from the field over 541 appearances (405 starts).
Thompson is the Kings’ franchise leader for games played during the Sacramento era (1985-present). Other notable franchises rankings for ‘JT’:
- Offensive rebounds: 4th – 1,232
- Defensive rebounds: 7th – 2,514
- Blocks: 7th – 394
- Total rebounds: 10th – 3,746
