LaSalle Thompson resurfaces in the NBA

[Mr. Neutral]

He's just been named the strength and conditioning coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. He had a 15-yr. career in the NBA, finishing up in '97 with the Nuggets.

Some of you may remember Thompson as a very-highly regarded Cincinnati-area player who played his college ball at Texas. He was one strong guy, and had some solid years in the NBA.

[olsingledigit]

I remember him as a Pacer - good player and a good guy if I recall.

[Mr. Neutral]

Yes, I think Thompson had a "solid citizen" rep in the NBA, in addition to being a good rebounder and inside scorer.

[wkrq59]

He was also the guy who would have played his collegiate ball at UC had he not been recruited to Texas by Steve Moeller after the NCAA said he could go to UC but never play in postseason. The man who cast the deciding vote and made the announcement was the eminent University of Texas law professor Charles Alan Wright, head of the NCAA committee on enforcement. After Thompson had enrolled at Texas, Wright said he knew nothing of UT basketball recruiting and said Thompson could go to school where he pleased. The NCAA had goofed ruling a UC booster had illegally bought clothes for him. It was a complicated deal but the kid's mother who worked for UC hospital was really hacked because she wanted to see him play at UC. Too complicated to detail here, but it was another example of the NCAA screwing people, especially kids.

[Mr. Neutral]

Thanks, Wise. I thought that UC's was Thompson's original intended destination, but I couldn't remember how he ended up at Texas.