Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, renowned for their basketball skills, have transformed the NBA by becoming one of the most energetic backcourt pairs ever. Their ascent with the Golden State Warriors is iconic, characterized by titles, achievements, and unwavering superiority. However, outside of the NBA spotlight, there is a less prominent period in their lives when they struggled for recognition in the beginning.
Even though Stephen Curry’s rise from Davidson College to NBA success has been extensively covered in the Underrated documentary, Klay Thompson’s journey has received much less attention. This story, as told by Mychal Thompson, sheds light on the challenges that Klay and Steph overcame before achieving success in professional basketball.
The Humble Beginnings of Two NBA Giants
During a recent installment of the Raising Fame podcast, Mychal Thompson, a Los Angeles Lakers icon, revealed untold anecdotes about his son Klay and his well-known teammate Stephen Curry, hosted by Lucille O’Neal and Sonya Curry. Thompson noticed a strong similarity in the recruitment struggles of the two players during their early basketball careers, as they were both initially ignored by big college programs.
“Klay and Steph have a lot in common,” Thompson said, highlighting how recruiters undervalued both players. “Nobody wanted Steph because he was too small. Schools didn’t come after him.”
Indeed, Steph’s dream schools, such as Duke and Virginia Tech, turned a blind eye to him, citing concerns about his size. Steph’s journey to fame really kicked off when Davidson College, a smaller, less popular program, recognized his potential. As we now understand, the remaining events are part of the past.
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Klay Thompson: From Rejection to Redemption
Klay Thompson’s story mirrors much of Curry’s but with its own set of challenges. Mychal Thompson shared how even his son faced a series of rejections during his high school days. “When Klay was coming out of high school, nobody really wanted him. I called a couple of schools here in Southern California…and they said, ‘Well, you know, not really…he’s a nice young player, but we just don’t see it,’” Thompson revealed.
One of the most disheartening criticisms Klay faced was about his physical build. “He was very skinny,” Mychal added. “He made Reggie Miller look like Karl Malone.” Schools like North Carolina and Duke, known for cultivating basketball royalty, passed on Klay, deeming him too slight for the rigorous collegiate competition. Many dismissed him as a “small school player.”
However, after a string of rejections, one program finally took notice of Klay’s potential—Washington State. Tony Bennett, then the head coach of the Cougars, believed in the skinny kid from California. “He’s got great potential,” Bennett reportedly told Mychal, sparking the beginning of Klay’s journey toward greatness.
Klay Thompson’s Meteoric Rise at Washington State
Klay Thompson became a part of Washington State University in 2008, leaving a significant impression during his time there. In his first year of college, he played scoring an average of 12.5 points and making 41.2% of his three-point attempts. During his second year of college, Thompson had an improvement in his statistics with an average of 19.6 points per game, confirming his status as a lethal shooter.
During his junior year of college, Klay showed notable progress by averaging 21.6 points per game, earning a spot on the All-Pac-10 First Team, and leading the Cougars in scoring for three consecutive years. His excellent college performance led him to make his NBA debut, where he partnered with Stephen Curry on the Golden State Warriors to form the renowned Splash Brothers duo.
The Splash Brothers: Building a Reputation
The eventual collaboration between Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry in Golden State is truly iconic. Teaming up with Draymond Green, they formed a strong presence in the NBA, earning four titles and establishing a memorable impact on the sport’s history. Their outstanding teamwork in basketball, along with their strong determination to excel, has cemented their status as one of the most formidable duos in NBA history.
Their transformation from overlooked high school athletes to NBA title holders emphasizes the importance of determination, dedication, and self-confidence. Mychal’s opinions serve as a reminder that rejection is a common experience even for talented athletes. While they establish their reputation in the NBA, their challenges are a reminder that achieving greatness usually involves facing difficulties.