Tina Thompson is a former professional basketball player who played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was born on February 10, 1975, in Los Angeles, California. Thompson is widely considered one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time.
Thompson played her college basketball at the University of Southern California (USC) from 1993 to 1997. During her college career, she showcased her exceptional skills and versatility as a forward. Thompson was a dominant force in scoring, rebounding, and defense, earning numerous accolades and leading USC to a NCAA Championship in 1997.
After her college career, Thompson entered the WNBA draft in 1997 and was selected as the first overall pick by the Houston Comets. She played for the Comets from 1997 to 2008, helping the team win four consecutive WNBA Championships from 1997 to 2000. Thompson then moved to the Los Angeles Sparks, where she continued to excel as a consistent scorer and leader on the court until her retirement in 2013.
Throughout her professional career, Tina Thompson was known for her exceptional shooting ability, athleticism, and overall basketball IQ. She was a ten-time WNBA All-Star, two-time WNBA champion, and remains one of the league's highest scorers. Thompson also represented the United States in international competitions, winning gold medals at the Olympics in 2004 and 2008.
In addition to her on-court achievements, Thompson has made significant contributions to the development and growth of women's basketball. After retiring as a player, she has transitioned into coaching and is currently an assistant coach at the University of Texas at Austin.
