Torrance, CA (February 8, 2013): Bishop Montgomery's boys' basketball team is not only one of the top teams in the state (and the nation), but it is home to one of the top sophomore basketball players in the state in Stephen Thompson, Jr. '15. The sophomore's ties to basketball - and to Bishop Montgomery - run very deep.
Thompson's father is Stephen Thompson, Sr. Today, he is the Head Coach at Cal State Los Angeles, but he might be better known for being the City Player of the Year back when he played at Crenshaw High School. The elder Thompson then went on to star at Syracuse University where he is a member of the program's All-Century Team. He went on to play professionally in the NBA, CBA, ABA, Europe, and Japan.
Thompson's mother is Bishop Montgomery alumna Amy Bayona-Thompson '88. Amy was an All-League volleyball player for the Lady Knights and she went on to play at Northern Arizona University.
This year, Thompson, Jr. has been an integral part of the Knights' success. He is averaging 14 points per game and 3 steals per game as the Knights head to the CIF-SS Division 4AA playoffs next week with an unblemished record of 26-0.
Click here for a recent Los Angeles Times story about some of the top sophomore basketball players in the state.