Scottie Thompson (basketball)
Earl Scottie Carreon Thompson (born July 12, 1993) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Early life and high school career. Thompson was born on July 12, 1993 and was named after Scottie Pippen as his father is a big Chicago Bulls fan. He traces his American roots from his great-grandfather. Thompson started playing basketball when he was in elementary, but his game took off during his senior year in high school when he played in the Palarong Pambansa (representing Region XI) and was chosen  for the Nike Elite Camp. According to him, he had no scholarship offers from top collegiate schools except for Perpetual Help. College career. Thompson played college basketball at the University of Perpetual Help of the NCAA. In his rookie season, he was the Altas' sixth man, averaging 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.3 minutes per game. During his MVP year in 2014, he posted an impressive stat line of 26.5 PPG and 10.0 RPG, while leading the Altas to the Final Four. He was also included in the Mythical 5 selection in that same season. Despite dishing  off triple-double performances for the Altas, he ended his college career in 2015 after his school bowed out of the Final Four contention. Amateur career. Thompson suited up for the Hapee Fresh Fighters in the PBA D-League, where he teamed up with fellow college standouts and future draft batchmates Troy Rosario, Baser Amer, Garvo Lanete and Chris Newsome. Behind his heroics, he helped the Fresh Fighters win its first ever PBA D-League title in 2015. Professional career. Thompson was drafted fifth overall in the 2015 PBA draft by the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. In his first game  as a pro, he scored 5 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals in 16 minutes of play in a 78–86 loss over the Purefoods Star Hotshots. Despite the fact that he only practiced with the team for less than a week and with the limited minutes he's given, his stellar play earned him praises from coach Tim Cone. In his third career game back on November 7, 2015, Thompson recorded 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in just 14 minutes of playing time in a 93–92 win over the Alaska Aces. On December 5, Thompson  almost recorded a triple-double after putting up 9 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in 102–94 win over the Blackwater Elite. In the semi-final of 2016 PBA Governors cup, he registered a triple double performance long after Johnny Abarientos era. In 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, he was awarded the PBA Finals MVP. In 2021 PBA Governors' Cup, Thompson wins his first PBA Best Player of the Conference Award. In the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup Finals, he was judged as the Finals MVP for the second time of his career. PBA career statistics. "As of the end  of 2021 season" National team career. Thompson was part of the 12-man Sinag Pilipinas lineup that competed in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and 2015 SEABA Championship, both held in Singapore, where they won gold medals in both occasions. Player profile. Scottie Thompson is well-known for his offensive mindset and defensive versatility. On offense, his scoring output is not that high much, just averaging around 8 points per game in his career because of his role in the team. However, he focuses on making his teammates better by giving them on-point and accurate assists. With his play  making abilities and skills, he averages around 5 assists per game in his career. He is also well-known for his rebounding skills. Even at his height of 6'1, he is a great rebounder of his position and height. He can outrebound a taller opponent for he has a high vertical leap. As of the end of the 2018–19 PBA Commissioners' Cup, he has an astounding average of 7.6 rebounds per game. On defense, he is a well-known versatile defender and perimeter defender. He excels at forcing turnovers against opponents. With that, he is often compared to Russell Westbrook  of the NBA because of their similar playing style. Personal life. Thompson founded his own barbershop, the Thompson’s Sports Hair Shop which opened in Digos in October 2016.