RIP George Thompson

[4everwarriors]

Dean may have paved Al's driveway, but #24 paved the road to the Final Four and beyond, hey?

[MUWarrior4Life]

RIH Brute Force, the true epitome of a Warrior! 24

[Jockey]

Seeing George play was the reason I went to my 1st MU game. I was just a kid, but my dad wanted me to see him. I've been a Warrior fan ever since. He can have all the French pastry he wants in the Big Beyond.

And, 6'2" power forwards are cool.

[Goose]

jockey

He was my first MU favorite player, and he is a big reason why I became a MU fan as well. He really set the tone for the program and his role in building the program is at a very high level.

[rocket surgeon]

hard news to take-peter vecsey reports "due to diabetes complications" 

doc you are absolutely right on...george opened the door for Al and the new york connection and more, was on!  "home team" is going to be missed

what the hell happened after he "quit" radio?

btw-can't believe espn online has nothing about it as of 8:35 am today

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

And when Wojo initially gave it to Haanif Cheatham. Putting a player in #24 is practically a Marquette coaching rite of passage.

Which lead to probably my best post on Scoop.  George Thompson rapping:

My source now tells me George won the rap battle vs Drake:

You Clearly Canadian while I'm Original New York
Seltzer bubble up every time I go to work
My moves are so sweet, just call me cream soda
Homer tell these fools, I'm more Brute Force than Yoda

Haanif wear 24?  Nah, that I gotta nix
Now I'm seeing ghosts again like it's 2006
'Cept Wojo ain't tan and he don't know karate
And what's this about Diener?  He never tried to call me

Now tell Haanif his choice
If he wants to stay alive
When I say it, heed my voice
Wear number 25 (drops the mic...)

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

RIP Brute Force.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

btw-can't believe espn online has nothing about it as of 8:35 am today

To be honest, while George was a legend here, his pro career only lasted 6 years and 5 of them were in the ABA. I don't think I've ever seen ESPN mention anything about former ABA stars passing.

I don't know if there's a story, why did Thompson's pro career end at 27? His last season with the Bucks he didn't put up eyepopping numbers but they were still very solid and he was only 4 seasons removed from putting up 27 a game in the ABA. Seems like there should have been a spot for him somewhere.

[muwarrior69]

Class of '69; MU was runner-up in 1967 NIT his first season playing varsity ball. I am sure that helped Al recruit the NY/NJ metro region. He got called for 3 quick fouls IIRC in the Regional opener against UK at UK in'68 resulting in our loss, but clobbered them in the rematch when we played them in Madison at the old field house in '69. Thanks for the memories , George.

[Daniel]

Very very sad to hear this.  Thought and prayers to his family and friends.   

[dgies9156]

I remember George well as a youngster watching the 1969 NCAA regional finals. Great player and great man.

We Warriors owe an awful lot to ole Brute Force,

Rest in peace George. You did well!

[Dr. Blackheart]

Here is Ben Steele's article on Tip.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2022/06/08/marquette-basketball-legend-george-thompson-dies-74/7562906001/

[Viper]

Had the pleasure of watching him play. Al's first stud. RIP

amen. With Al, George got Marquette uptown.

[Afroman]

I've always been curious ...

After playing five successful seasons in the ABA, George played one season with the Bucks, averaging 10.7 ppg in 27 minutes a game. He was 27 years old and didn't play pro ball after that. Did he get injured?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I've always been curious ...

After playing five successful seasons in the ABA, George played one season with the Bucks, averaging 10.7 ppg in 27 minutes a game. He was 27 years old and didn't play pro ball after that. Did he get injured?

I don't know if there's a story, why did Thompson's pro career end at 27? His last season with the Bucks he didn't put up eyepopping numbers but they were still very solid and he was only 4 seasons removed from putting up 27 a game in the ABA. Seems like there should have been a spot for him somewhere.

I have the same question. Anyone know the story? It looks like he ended up playing Brazil for a few years.

[swoopem]

To be honest, while George was a legend here, his pro career only lasted 6 years and 5 of them were in the ABA. I don't think I've ever seen ESPN mention anything about former ABA stars passing.

I don't know if there's a story, why did Thompson's pro career end at 27? His last season with the Bucks he didn't put up eyepopping numbers but they were still very solid and he was only 4 seasons removed from putting up 27 a game in the ABA. Seems like there should have been a spot for him somewhere.

I'm watching sportscenter and his death has been scrolling on the bottom line. Nothing about his ABA career but they acknowledge he was MU's leading scorer for 40 years

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Well I guess we can take this off the gripe list. 

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/34063979/former-marquette-basketball-star-george-thompson-dies-74

[Dr. Blackheart]

Well I guess we can take this off the gripe list. 

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/34063979/former-marquette-basketball-star-george-thompson-dies-74

This was posted on the World News 12 hours ago.  They are always on top of the breaking news.   

https://youtu.be/v1ExRbiPAUE

[real chili 83]

Well I guess we can take this off the gripe list. 

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/34063979/former-marquette-basketball-star-george-thompson-dies-74

You need to clear that with Mugsy.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I'm watching sportscenter and his death has been scrolling on the bottom line. Nothing about his ABA career but they acknowledge he was MU's leading scorer for 40 years

I just got an ESPN alert on my phone.

[Hards Alumni]

You need to clear that with Mugsy.

check yer facts

[Billy Hoyle]

I'm watching sportscenter and his death has been scrolling on the bottom line. Nothing about his ABA career but they acknowledge he was MU's leading scorer for 40 years

That in itself is an amazing fact. He only played for three years, without a three point line, and without a shot clock. Travis was the first Golden Eagle to legitimately threaten breaking the record, until his season ending injury, over 30 years later.

My most amusing memory of George was the Blue and Gold Auction. One could bid on sitting in with Homer and George for a game and dammit, I wanted that. George kept bidding it up until it was over $3K and was laughing as he did it. I did not get the highest bid. Oh yeah, and referring to a play as a "wang dang doodle."

RIP, George. 

[MarquetteMike1977]

George's name was on the ESPN ticker today.
Am very sorry and sad to hear. George was a kind and great man. Will always remember him getting us drinks in 2003 on the road to the Final Four. Will miss George RIP

[willie warrior]

An all timer from Als  early
days
RIP

[MuggsyB]

You need to clear that with Mugsy.

It's acceptable even though it was late.