George Thompson Ht. 6-2 Wt. 200 College - Marquette ABA Teams: Pittsburgh Pipers (1969-70), Pittsburgh Condors (1970-71 to 1971-72), Memphis Tams (1972-73 to 1973-74) Was the all-time leading scorer for the Marquette Warriors - he finished with 1773 points despite playing only 3 varsity seasons (with no three-point line); His Marquette record lasted for 40 years until the 2008-09 season, when Jerel McNeal surpassed him with 1,985 points; One of the most unappreciated talents in the ABA; Showed flashes of brilliance during his five years in the ABA, but was relegated to playing for some of the league's shakiest (and least successful franchises) - Pittsburgh and Memphis; Because of this, he never played in a single ABA playoff game; Despite being only 6'2", was primarily an inside force - best known for driving the lane and drawing fouls; In Pittsburgh, teamed up with John Brisker to form a deadly 1-2 scoring punch - during the Condors' last season of 1971-72, his scoring average jumped to 27.0 points per game; Jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire when the Condors folded - the Memphis Tams (another ABA doormat) picked him in the dispersal draft of ex-Condor players . . . Led the ABA with 549 free throws made during the 1972-73 season with Memphis; Holds the all-time ABA record for free throws attempted in a single game with 29 on October 14, 1972 (Tams at Conquistadors) - he made 24 of them; Played in the 1972, 1973 and 1974 ABA All-Star Games (representing the Condors in his first All-Star Game, and the Tams in his last two All-Star Games); Also represented the ABA in the 1972 NBA vs. ABA "Super Game" held at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island; After putting up with cheapskate Charlie Finley and the hapless Tams for two seasons, he finally jumped to the NBA; Ended his career with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1974-75 season; He scored 8,114 combined ABA/NBA points (with 7,334 in the ABA). From Jim O'Brien's 1971-72 and 1972-73 Complete Handbook of Pro Basketball: Steadily improving player who really took off during 1971-72 season, rocketing to 27 points per game in his third year . . . Brooklyn-born with playing experience in Harlem against pros as a 15-year old . . . Was switched to backcourt in pros after being All-America forward for Al McGuire at Marquette, causing a period of adjustment. . . Called the best "one-on-one player in country" as a collegian, averaging 21 ppg for three varsity seasons . . . Was initial disappointment in Pittsburgh - was overweight and overlooked . . . Marty Blake was set to cut him during pre-season schedule - Pipers owners cut Blake instead . . . Came to second training camp in much better shape and upped scoring average from 12.9 to 18.5 . . . Teamed with John Brisker to give Condors one of the most powerful 1-2 scoring punches in pros ball . . . Hit 50 percent of his two-point tries and 31 percent of his three-pointers in 1971-72 (ranking 9th in ABA) . . . Managed to hand off 257 assists and played more minutes (2,904) than anyone else on Condors during 1971-72 . . . "I never doubted I could play pro basketball," Thompson says, "All I needed was a chance.  I don't think it's egotistical to say that no one can handle me one-on-one from the foul line in." . . . Loves to drive the lane . . .Excellent leaper . . . An ABA All-Star Game performer in 1972, he has good moves and can really shoot . . . If given the ball a sufficient number of times, he'll score heavily . . . fine individual
	GP	Min	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	TReb	AST	PF	Stl	Blk	Pnts	RPG	APG	PPG
Career ABA Totals	364	12048	2954	6349	.465	101	381	.265	1937	2548	.760	1276	1336	1007	--	--	7334	3.5	3.7	20.1
ABA All-Star Totals	3	60	14	27	.519	0	2	.000	2	2	1.000	3	5	3	--	--	30	1.0	1.6	10.0