History of Tristan Thompson in Timeline
Tristan Thompson is a Canadian professional basketball player currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA. He was a key member of the Cavaliers' 2016 NBA championship-winning team. Throughout his NBA career, he has also played for several other teams, including the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers.
1981: Bill Wennington McDonald's All-American
In 1981, Bill Wennington was named McDonald's All-American, marking one of the earlier instances of Canadians achieving this recognition.
1983: Leo Rautins and Stewart Granger Drafted
In 1983, Leo Rautins and Stewart Granger were drafted, marking a notable occasion when two Canadians were selected in the first round of the same NBA draft.
1986: Barry Bekkedam McDonald's All-American
In 1986, Barry Bekkedam was named a McDonald's All-American, adding to the list of Canadians recognized with this honor.
March 13, 1991: Tristan Thompson's Birth
On March 13, 1991, Tristan Thompson was born. He is a Canadian professional basketball player.
1997: Danny Fortson Shot Block Rate
In 1997, Danny Fortson had a shot block rate that was compared to Thompson's in the 2012-13 season as Thompson worked to reduce his own block rate.
2003: Olu Famutimi McDonald's All-American
In 2003, Olu Famutimi was named a McDonald's All-American, contributing to the growing presence of Canadian players in prestigious basketball circles.
2004: Zydrunas Ilgauskas' Rebound Record
In 2004, Zydrunas Ilgauskas set a record for offensive rebounds, which Thompson later surpassed in the 2012-13 season.
2008: FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship
In 2008, Tristan Thompson represented Canada at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, where the team won the bronze medal.
November 11, 2009: Signing with University of Texas
On November 11, 2009, Tristan Thompson officially signed his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Texas.
2009: FIBA Under-19 World Championship
In 2009, Tristan Thompson competed for Canada at the FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand.
2010: Texas Longhorns Season
In 2010, Tristan Thompson played for the Texas Longhorns and later won the team's Most Valuable Player award.
2010: Commitment to Texas Longhorns
In 2010, Tristan Thompson verbally committed to play for the Texas Longhorns, drawing interest from top basketball programs.
2010: Cavaliers Make Playoffs
In 2010, the Cavaliers made the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
June 23, 2011: Drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers
On June 23, 2011, Tristan Thompson was drafted fourth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, making history as the highest drafted Canadian-born player at the time.
December 9, 2011: Signing with Cavaliers
On December 9, 2011, Tristan Thompson signed his rookie contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers before the start of training camp.
December 26, 2011: NBA Debut
On December 26, 2011, Tristan Thompson made his professional debut against the Toronto Raptors, scoring 12 points and pulling in 5 rebounds.
2011: Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers
In 2011, Tristan Thompson was drafted fourth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA draft after playing college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.
2012: Rising Stars Challenge Selection
In 2012, Tristan Thompson was named to the Rising Stars Challenge along with teammate Kyrie Irving.
2012: Shooting Hand Change
In 2012, during the 2012-13 season, Thompson worked on avoiding blocked shots and switched his shooting hand from left to right.
2013: Anthony Bennett Drafted First Overall
In 2013, Anthony Bennett was selected as the first overall pick, surpassing Tristan Thompson's previous record as the highest drafted Canadian-born player in the NBA.
2013: FIBA Americas Championship
In 2013, Tristan Thompson averaged 11.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game at the FIBA Americas Championship.
2013: Amari Thompson Fund Founded
In 2013, Tristan Thompson founded the Amari Thompson Fund, which supports Epilepsy Toronto to raise funds and awareness for those affected by epilepsy.
2013: Shooting Hand Switch Decision
In 2013, during the off-season, Thompson decided to switch his shooting hand to his right instead of his left.
2014: Andrew Wiggins Drafted First Overall
In 2014, Andrew Wiggins was selected as the first overall pick, continuing the trend of Canadian players being highly regarded in the NBA draft.
2014: Cavaliers Acquire LeBron James and Kevin Love
In 2014, during the off-season, the Cavaliers acquired All-Star forwards LeBron James and Kevin Love, changing the team's dynamic.
October 22, 2015: Re-Signing with Cavaliers
On October 22, 2015, Tristan Thompson re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a five-year, $82 million contract after a four-month contract stalemate.
2015: NBA Finals Appearance
In 2015, Tristan Thompson and the Cavaliers reached the NBA Finals, facing the Golden State Warriors and ultimately losing the series.
January 25, 2016: Season-High Performance
On January 25, 2016, Tristan Thompson recorded a season-high 19 points and 12 rebounds in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
December 26, 2016: 400 Consecutive Games
On December 26, 2016, Tristan Thompson became the first player in franchise history to play in 400 consecutive regular-season games.
2016: Relationship with Khloe Kardashian Began
In 2016, Tristan Thompson began dating Khloé Kardashian. Allegations surfaced that he cheated on his then-pregnant ex-girlfriend Jordan Craig with Kardashian.
2016: FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
In 2016, Tristan Thompson led the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament with 33 rebounds.
2016: NBA Championship with the Cavaliers
In 2016, Tristan Thompson won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking a significant achievement in his career.
April 5, 2017: End of Consecutive Games Streak
On April 5, 2017, Tristan Thompson missed a game due to a sprained right thumb, ending his streak of consecutive games played at 447.
November 2, 2017: Ruled Out with Calf Strain
On November 2, 2017, Thompson was ruled out for three to four weeks with a left calf strain suffered against the Indiana Pacers.
December 12, 2017: Return from Injury
On December 12, 2017, Thompson played in his first game since November 1, going scoreless in 6 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks.
February 25, 2018: Season-High Rebounds
On February 25, 2018, Thompson had a season-high 13 rebounds in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
April 12, 2018: Birth of Daughter True
On April 12, 2018, Khloé Kardashian gave birth to their daughter, True, amid cheating controversy involving Tristan Thompson.
2018: FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament
In 2018, Tristan Thompson played one game in a qualifying tournament for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
February 2019: Split from Khloe Kardashian
In February 2019, Tristan Thompson and Khloé Kardashian split after allegations that Thompson cheated on Kardashian with Jordyn Woods.
2019: FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament
In 2019, Tristan Thompson played in the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
January 9, 2020: Career-High Points
On January 9, 2020, Tristan Thompson recorded a double-double with a career-high 35 points in an overtime win against the Detroit Pistons.
November 2020: Signed with Boston Celtics
In November 2020, Tristan Thompson signed a two-year contract with the Boston Celtics.
2020: Traded to Sacramento Kings
After the 2020-2021 season, Thompson was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal.
2020: Acquired American citizenship
In 2020, Tristan Thompson acquired American citizenship.
2020: Relationship with Khloe Kardashian Resumed
In 2020, Tristan Thompson and Khloe Kardashian resumed their relationship, having quarantined together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Season Averages
Throughout the 2020-2021 season, Thompson averaged 7.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
June 2021: Relationship with Khloe Kardashian Resumed
In June 2021, Tristan Thompson and Khloe Kardashian were still together in their on-again off-again relationship.
August 7, 2021: Trade to Sacramento Kings
On August 7, 2021, Tristan Thompson was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks.
December 2021: Relationship with Khloe Kardashian Resumed
From October to December 2021, Tristan Thompson and Khloe Kardashian were still together in their on-again off-again relationship.
December 2021: Birth of Son Theo and Paternity Suit
In December 2021, Maralee Nichols gave birth to Tristan Thompson's son, Theo, as a result of an affair they had while he was dating Khloé Kardashian. Nichols had filed a paternity lawsuit against Thompson earlier that year.
2021: Traded to Sacramento Kings
After the 2020-2021 season, Thompson was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal.
2021: Supporting Role with Kings
During the 2021-2022 NBA season, Thompson played a supporting role with the Kings, averaging 6.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
2021: Season Averages
Throughout the 2020-2021 season, Thompson averaged 7.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
February 8, 2022: Trade to Indiana Pacers
On February 8, 2022, Thompson was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, Domantas Sabonis, and a 2023 second-round pick.
February 19, 2022: Signed with Chicago Bulls
On February 19, 2022, Thompson signed with the Chicago Bulls.
July 28, 2022: Welcomed Second Child with Khloe Kardashian
On July 28, 2022, Khloé Kardashian and Tristan Thompson welcomed their second child, Tatum, via surrogate.
2022: Competition for Playing Time
After the 2022-2023 season, Thompson faced competition for playing time, which limited his impact on the court.
2022: Supporting Role with Kings
During the 2021-2022 NBA season, Thompson played a supporting role with the Kings, averaging 6.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
2022: Traded to Indiana Pacers
In February of 2022, Thompson's time with the Kings came to an end when he was traded to the Indiana Pacers as part of a multi-player deal.
January 2023: Mother Andrea Thompson Died
In January 2023, Tristan Thompson's mother, Andrea, passed away after suffering a heart attack.
April 9, 2023: Signed with Los Angeles Lakers
On April 9, 2023, Thompson signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, reuniting with former Cavs teammate LeBron James.
May 22, 2023: Last Game as a Laker
On May 22, 2023, Thompson played his last game as a Laker against the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Conference Finals.
September 12, 2023: Re-signed with Cleveland Cavaliers
On September 12, 2023, Thompson signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a one-year contract.
2023: Free Agency
After the 2022-2023 season, Thompson became a free agent.
January 23, 2024: Suspension for Positive Drug Test
On January 23, 2024, Thompson was suspended for 25 games without pay after testing positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033.
September 9, 2024: Re-signed with the Cavaliers
On September 9, 2024, Thompson re-signed with the Cavaliers.
February 12, 2025: Dunk Sparks Scuffle in Raptors Game
On February 12, 2025, in a game against the Toronto Raptors, Tristan Thompson dunked the ball with 4.1 seconds left despite the Cavaliers being up by 21 points, leading to a scuffle between players. The Cavs won 131-108.
