The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1513610
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 ■ 39 BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN t has been nearly five decades since David Thompson last soared through the air inside Reynolds Coliseum, but his high-flying tal- ent still dazzles. The "Skywalker," as he would later be dubbed, Thompson was able to play above the rim at a time when such acrobatic feats were frowned upon by the NCAA. D u n k i n g wa s fo rb i d d e n d u r i n g Thompson's era, so instead he would jump up to receive an alley-oop pass from point guard Monte Towe and drop it in the basket. While that approach was highly suc- cessful, Thompson wanted to show off his dunk to the Wolfpack faithful — and his Senior Night in March 1975 against UNC Charlotte was the time to do it, he thought. "It had been so frustrating playing in the ACC during that time when you had to alley-oop — catch the ball and drop it into the basket," Thompson said. "The fans didn't really get an idea of what I could do. … Prior to the game, they re- tired my jersey. I thought I needed to give the fans something to remember me by." Thompson did just that. He rose up and laid down a tomahawk windmill dunk. "I got a technical foul and a standing ovation," he joked. That was it for Thompson's career in- side the Wolfpack's home gym. NC State coach Norm Sloan pulled him from the game after the ovation died down. Sloan wanted his star player to be able to enjoy the moment. Thompson re- called the coach telling him afterward, "That was the way to end your career. That was a pretty good way to go out." Thompson hasn't sailed toward the rim at Reynolds Coliseum since that night, but his signature alley-oop will forever be remembered with the re- cent unveiling of a statue in front of the iconic basketball venue. One Of A Kind When Thompson was 17 years old, someone from the Guinness Book of World Records arrived in Raleigh to mea- sure his standing vertical jump. A fresh- man at the time, Thompson leaped 42 inches, which earned him a spot in the publication. The next year, Thompson leaped 44 inches, a mind-blowing number even half a century later. It's what made Thompson unique — and it helped NC State run its high-flying offense. Using the alley-oop to maximum ad- vantage, Towe and Thompson helped cre- ate a flashy brand of basketball in Raleigh. Pairing that duo with guard Moe Rivers, center Tommy Burleson and forwards Tim Stoddard and Phil Spence, the Pack had something special brewing in the early 1970s. "We had an exciting style of play," Thompson said. "We played above the rim, we played fast. ... We won 34 straight ACC games, which is crazy. Nobody will ever do that again. Just the style of play and the excitement we brought to the game — even other teams in the ACC en- joyed watching us play." Thompson helped lead NC State to a 57-1 record his first two seasons. The Pack went 27-0 in 1972-73 but was banned from the postseason due to rule viola- tions in Thompson's recruitment. The next year, with the ban having been lifted, NC State went 30-1, losing only to then No. 1 UCLA. The Pack's postseason run in 1974 in- cluded a thrilling 103-100 overtime vic- I WALKING ON AIR David Thompson's Basketball Artistry Continues To Inspire His Alma Mater