Cavs’ Thompson puts his all into special cause
Epilepsy hits close to home for Brampton hoops star and he’s determined to help out
OAKLAND— There will be untold riches waiting for Tristan Thompson when he becomes a restricted NBA free agent in July, buckets and buckets and buckets of cash in the offing for an outstanding young rebounder who seems to be coming into his prime.
That will be all well and good — no one wants to turn down long-term lucrative guaranteed contracts — but it will also be a means to an end for the Brampton native.
He will use the fame and notoriety that will accompany his free agency, and the notoriety and fame he has now given his role in helping the Cleveland Cavaliers get to the NBA final, for something more dear to his heart than even basketball. His brother and his family. Thompson, through the Amari Thompson Foundation, works closely to raise funds and awareness with Epilepsy Toronto and he sees that as one of the great benefits of his league-wide emergence.
“It definitely makes me a more familiar face and lets people know who Tristan Thompson is,” he said in an interview between Games 1 and 2 of the NBA final. “With that being said, it’s a chance to get to more media to let them know what’s important to me and that the partnership and the family stuff has grown together.”
Thompson began the foundation in 2013 to support to those affected by epilepsy through counselling, support, advocacy and recreational programs. His brother suffers nearly daily seizures and trying to find some way to make things better for Amari and other families runs deep in the six-foot-10 power forward-centre.
“My brother having epilepsy and seeing what he goes through and hearing the stories of other families and what they got through really touches my heart, it motivates me,” the 24-year-old said. “I try to do everything I can to raise money and awareness with my voice and my name.”
Thompson’s name is on the lips of all kinds of NBA front office types and fans thanks to his solid play throughout Cleveland’s run to the final. Inserted into the starting lineup in the semifinal series with Chicago, he’s shown an incredible knack for rebounding and protecting the rim.
It has made him invaluable to the Cavaliers now — and in the future if LeBron James has his way. Thompson reportedly turned down a fouryear contract worth $52 million (U.S.) before this season began; he could see a deal that tops $75 million on the table in July when he’s a restricted free agent.
There is no doubt he would be a perfect fit in so many ways for the Raptors but the kind of salary Thompson will no command could limit any future moves Toronto might want to make. It actually seems to be a moot point, because it’s doubtful the Cavs would let him get away, especially with the endorsements he gets from James.
“He’s a young guy, but he’s a professional that loves to come to work every day,” James said before the final began. “He plays his heart out every single night, and he has zero sense of entitlement in this league. All he cares about is coming into work. Whatever is given to him, he relishes the opportunity, and he’s a great teammate. So he’ll be here for a long time.”
But wherever he plays, however long he plays there, Thompson’s bond with the GTA and his family will never be broken.
“I just wanted to help those who are going through the same thing as me and my family went through,” he said of the foundation named for his brother.
“I wanted to do something that was very positive and to help other families that are going through it.”