Trivia

Enshrined as a coach in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Played for the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Boston Celtics, 1964-1965 & 1965-1966.

Basketball coach at Georgetown University, 1972-1999.

Played for Providence College (1960-1964). All-State (1962-1964). All-District, All-Conference, All-American and Team MVP (1964). New England Player of the Year (1964).

Back-up center for Bill Russell while he played for the Celtics.

Georgetown record: 596-239. In his 27-year tenure as head coach at Georgetown, his teams appeared in three Final Fours (1982, 1984, 1985), played in 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments (1979-1992), made 24 consecutive post-season appearances (20 NCAA, 4 NIT) and won seven Big East Tournament championships. National championship (1984). Holds conference records for most overall Big East wins (231), most regular-season Big East wins (198) and conference championships (seven regular season, six tournaments). Won seven Coach of the Year awards: Big East (1980, 1987, 1992), United States Basketball Writers Association and The Sporting News (1984), National Association of Basketball Coaches (1985) and United Press International (1987). Saw a 97 percent graduation rate among his four-year players.

Led the United States to a bronze medal in the 1988 Olympic Games and was an assistant coach for the 1976 gold medal-winning team.

Father of John Thompson.

Inducted into the Georgetown University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Inducted into the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 (inaugural class).

Has another son Ronny and one daughter Tiffany.