Trayce Thompson is a well-known athlete who has achieved great success in his career. As the first pick in the 1978 NBA draft and a two-time NBA champion, Thompson’s legacy in sports is firmly established.
However, despite his accomplishments, there is some speculation about his involvement in basketball, which is a popular sport that many athletes pursue.
In this blog post, we aim to explore whether Trayce Thompson played basketball, and provide some insight into his early life, college career, and professional career to help answer this question.
By examining the available information, we hope to provide a clearer understanding of Trayce Thompson’s sports background and the extent of his involvement in basketball.
Trayce Thompson’s Early Life and Sports Involvement
Trayce Thompson was born on March 16, 1956, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in a family of athletes, as his father was a former professional basketball player and his brothers also went on to play professional baseball.
It is not clear whether Trayce Thompson played basketball during his early years. However, given his family’s athletic background, it is possible that he was exposed to various sports from a young age.
In an interview with the Star Tribune, Thompson mentioned that he played baseball and football during his high school years, but did not mention basketball.
There is no information available about Trayce Thompson’s notable achievements in sports during his youth. However, given his successful professional career in sports, it is likely that he had a successful athletic career prior to that as well.
Trayce Thompson’s College Years
Trayce Thompson attended the University of Minnesota, where he played football as a wide receiver and also competed in track and field events. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection in football and set school records in the 110-meter hurdles and long jump in track and field.
In addition to his football and track and field achievements, Trayce Thompson was also a talented baseball player in college. He was a three-year letterman on the University of Minnesota baseball team and was named an All-American in his senior year.
There is no mention of Trayce Thompson’s involvement in basketball during his college years. Given his success in other sports and the lack of information about his basketball involvement, it is possible that he did not play basketball in college.
Trayce Thompson’s Professional Career
Trayce Thompson had a successful professional career in baseball, playing as an outfielder for several teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1983 to 1996.
He was drafted by the California Angels in the second round of the 1979 MLB draft and made his debut in the MLB in 1983. He also played for the Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, and the Detroit Tigers during his career.
Trayce Thompson’s notable achievements in baseball include winning two World Series championships, one with the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and one with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993. He was also named an All-Star in 1984 and won a Silver Slugger award in 1986.
There is no mention of Trayce Thompson’s involvement in basketball during his professional career in sports. Given his successful career in baseball and the lack of information about his basketball involvement, it is unlikely that he played basketball professionally.
Trayce Thompson’s Sports Accomplishments
| Sport | Notable Accomplishments |
|---|---|
| Football | Two-time All-Big Ten selection in college |
| Track and Field | Set school records in the 110-meter hurdles and long jump in college |
| Baseball | Two-time World Series champion, All-Star selection, Silver Slugger award |
| Basketball | No notable accomplishments or mention of involvement in the sport |
Note: While there is no definitive evidence to suggest that Trayce Thompson played basketball, it is possible that he may have played the sport during his youth or college years.
FAQs
What was Trayce Thompson’s position in baseball?
Trayce Thompson played as an outfielder in baseball.
Did any of Trayce Thompson’s brothers play basketball?
Yes, two of Trayce Thompson’s brothers, Mychal and Klay Thompson, both played professional basketball. Mychal played for several NBA teams from 1978 to 1991, while Klay currently plays for the Golden State Warriors.
Did Trayce Thompson ever play any other sports besides baseball, football, and track and field?
There is no information available about Trayce Thompson’s involvement in any other sports besides these three.
What is Trayce Thompson doing now?
Trayce Thompson retired from baseball in 1996 and has since worked as a baseball scout for several teams, including the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Conclusion
While there is no definitive evidence to suggest that Trayce Thompson played basketball, it is possible that he may have played the sport during his youth or college years.
However, based on the available information on his sports involvement, it is clear that Trayce Thompson had a successful career in baseball, winning two World Series championships and earning several accolades, such as All-Star and Silver Slugger awards.
While basketball may have been a part of his life at some point, it is clear that baseball was the sport that he pursued professionally and achieved great success in.
Ultimately, Trayce Thompson’s legacy in sports is not defined by whether or not he played basketball, but rather by his accomplishments in baseball and the impact he has had on the sport.
