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Darius Thompson
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Darius Thompson
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Darius Thompson in 2023

Key Information

Darius Jamar Thompson (born May 4, 1995) is an American-born naturalized Italian professional basketball player for Valencia of Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. Standing at 193 cm (6 ft 4 in), he plays at the point guard position.

Early life

[edit]

Thompson was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and is the son of Lonnie Thompson, who played basketball for Middle Tennessee State, and Felicia Thompson.[1]

Playing for Blackman High School, Thompson was a 2013 McDonald's All-American Game nominee and was ranked the no. 4 best combo guard in the country by 247Sports.com. In his senior year with Blackman, he averaged 16.4 points and 6.4 assists.[1]

College career

[edit]

Professional career

[edit]

ZZ Leiden

[edit]

In August 2017, Thompson signed a one-year contract with ZZ Leiden of the Dutch Basketball League (DBL) and FIBA Europe Cup.[2] On October 27, 2017, Thompson scored 32 points in a 73–78 win over Den Helder Suns.[3] On November 7, Thompson led Leiden to a win over Sakarya BB in the FIBA Europe Cup by scoring 36 points.[4] On March 31, Thompson won the NBB Cup with Leiden, after scoring 25 points in the final.[5] On April 24, 2019, Thompson won the DBL Most Valuable Player award.[6]

Brindisi

[edit]

On July 23, 2019, Thompson signed a one-year contract with an option for a second season with Happy Casa Brindisi of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and Basketball Champions League (BCL).[7]

Lokomotiv Kuban

[edit]

On July 1, 2021, Thompson left Brindisi after two years and signed in the VTB United League for the Russian team Lokomotiv Kuban.[8] He left the team after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[9] However he said that participation in this team was pleasant.

Baskonia

[edit]

On August 12, 2022, Thompson signed a two-year (1+1) contract with Baskonia of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague.[10]

Thompson had a breakout season in 2022–23 with Baskonia. He led the EuroLeague in assists per game (averaging 6.7 per game) and was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team.[11] Thompson was also voted the Best Newcomer by the EuroLeague Players' Association (ELPA).[12]

On July 7, 2023, Thompson parted ways with the Spanish club.

Anadolu Efes

[edit]

On July 7, 2023, Thompson signed a three-year (2+1) contract with Turkish powerhouse Anadolu Efes, where he replaced star point guard Vasilije Micić who left the club for the Oklahoma City Thunder.[13]

Valencia

[edit]

In July 2025, Thompson signed a three-year deal with Spanish club Valencia Basket. Thompson was still under contract with Anadolu Efes for the 2025-26 season, but both parties finalized a buyout agreement.[14]

National team career

[edit]

Thompson has been recruited by the Italy national team, as he is eligible for an Italian passport because of his Italian wife, Chiara Pacifico.[15] He played for the Italian National team during Eurobasket 2025.

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance index rating
 Bold  Career high

EuroLeague

[edit]
* Led the league
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2022–23 Baskonia 34 33 26.9 .497 .384 .756 3.2 6.7* 1.7 .4 12.6 17.1
2023–24 Anadolu Efes 35 21 26.0 .443 .328 .838 2.0 2.8 1.0 .5 10.9 9.6
Career 69 54 26.4 .470 .355 .793 2.6 4.7 1.3 .5 11.7 13.3

EuroCup

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2021–22 Lokomotiv Kuban 12 12 29.8 .580 .333 .800 3.0 5.8 1.7 .5 13.2 17.2
Career 12 12 29.8 .580 .333 .800 3.0 5.8 1.7 .5 13.2 17.2

Basketball Champions League

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Brindisi 13 13 27.5 .538 .344 .700 3.6 3.5 1.6 .5 11.6
2020–21 12 12 26.6 .500 .407 .706 3.0 4.9 .7 .5 12.1
Career 25 25 27.0 .520 .373 .704 3.3 4.2 1.2 .5 11.8

FIBA Europe Cup

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 ZZ Leiden 14 14 37.9 .513 .286 .803 4.8 3.7 2.1 .3 22.2
Career 14 14 37.9 .513 .286 .803 4.8 3.7 2.1 .3 22.2

Domestic leagues

[edit]
Year Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Netherlands ZZ Leiden DBL 38 35.2 .540 .399 .820 4.1 5.4 2.6 .4 19.0
2019–20 Italy Brindisi LBA 21 26.3 .480 .460 .711 2.6 2.9 1.3 .4 11.6
2020–21 Italy Brindisi LBA 31 28.7 .495 .306 .735 2.9 5.4 1.7 .7 12.7
2021–22 Russia Lokomotiv Kuban VTBUL 11 28.2 .462 .273 .640 4.4 5.7 2.1 .6 9.8
2022–23 Spain Baskonia ACB 34 22.0 .500 .408 .826 2.5 6.1 1.1 .4 10.2
2023–24 Turkey Anadolu Efes TBSL 25 27.7 .498 .412 .717 2.6 4.5 1.1 .5 12.7

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Tennessee 37 10 16.8 .381 .195 .733 2.0 2.4 1.0 .2 2.5
2015–16 Virginia 37 10 17.5 .537 .390 .722 1.2 1.4 .7 .2 4.3
2016–17 Virginia 33 14 20.8 .448 .351 .605 1.6 2.2 .8 .4 6.2
2017–18 Western Kentucky 38 37 35.6 .463 .355 .736 4.2 4.8 1.5 .5 13.6
Career 145 71 22.8 .461 .338 .712 2.3 2.7 1.0 .3 6.7

Honors

[edit]
ZZ Leiden

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Darius Thompson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Darius Thompson (born May 4, 1995) is an American-born Italian professional player who plays as a for of the Spanish and the . Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m), he acquired Italian citizenship in 2024 through to his Italian , Chiara Pacifico Thompson, enabling him to represent the national team. Thompson is known for his playmaking ability, having led the in assists per game (6.7) during the 2022–23 season while with Baskonia. Thompson began his career at the in 2013–14, where he appeared in 37 games as a , averaging 2.6 points and 2.4 assists per game. After transferring, he spent two seasons at the from 2015 to 2017, contributing to two regular-season championships and appearing in 70 games with 25 starts, including a game-winning three-pointer in a 2016 comeback victory over Wake Forest. He concluded his collegiate play at Western Kentucky University in 2017–18, starting all 38 games, earning All-Conference USA Second Team honors, and recording the program's second triple-double in history with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against Marshall. Turning professional in 2018, Thompson signed his first contract with of the , before joining of the Italian in 2019, where he spent two seasons and helped the team reach the playoffs. In 2021–22, he joined Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar in the Russian and EuroCup, averaging 9.1 points and 5.6 assists per in the VTB. His debut came in 2022–23 with Baskonia , where he posted 10.9 points and a league-leading 6.7 assists per across 34 contests. Thompson then moved to Anadolu Efes for the 2023–25 seasons, playing two campaigns and contributing to Turkish Basketball Super League playoff runs, including averages of 12.7 points and 4.8 assists in 2023–24. In July 2025, he signed a two-year contract with , where as of November 2025 he has averaged 12.5 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.2 rebounds through 11 early 2025–26 s. Internationally, Thompson made his debut with the senior national team in August 2025 and represented at the 2025 , averaging 5.7 points and 2.5 assists per game over 6 contests as a naturalized player.

Early years

Early life

Darius Jamar Thompson was born on May 4, 1995, in , to parents and Felicia Thompson. His father, , was a standout player at , where he averaged 13.4 points per game as a senior in the 1984-85 season, and later served as an assistant coach there from 1994 to 1996. Growing up in a basketball-oriented household, Thompson was influenced by his father's involvement in the sport from an early age. Thompson attended Blackman High School in his hometown of Murfreesboro, where he played as a and shooting guard for the Blaze varsity team. Over his final two seasons, he helped lead the team to a strong 56-5 overall record, showcasing his skills as a key contributor on both ends of the court. As a senior in the 2012-13 season, Thompson averaged 16.4 points, 6.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, earning him recognition as a 2013 McDonald's All-American nominee and a Tennessee Class AAA Mr. finalist. He was also selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class AAA All-State Team, along with All-Region and All-Midstate honors. Regarded as one of the top prospects in the class of , Thompson was rated as the No. 4 nationally by scouting services. He initially committed to the on March 23, 2013, becoming the first Blackman High School basketball player to sign with the Volunteers program.

College career

Thompson began his college basketball career at the University of Tennessee in 2013-14, where as a he appeared in all 37 games, making 10 starts, and averaged 2.6 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game while playing 16.8 minutes on average. Following his freshman season, Thompson transferred to the , where he redshirted the 2014-15 season to preserve a year of eligibility. As a in 2015-16, he played in all 37 games with 10 starts, averaging 4.3 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game, highlighted by a game-winning buzzer-beating 3-pointer in a 72-71 comeback victory over Wake Forest on January 26, 2016. In his junior year of 2016-17, Thompson appeared in 33 games with 14 starts, contributing 6.2 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 rebounds per game across 20.8 minutes. As a graduate transfer, Thompson joined for the 2017-18 season, starting all 38 games and averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in a team-high 35.6 minutes per game. His performance earned him a selection to the All-Conference USA Second Team. Over his entire college career spanning 145 games at three institutions, Thompson averaged 6.7 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game, totaling 975 points, 394 assists, and 330 rebounds. He graduated from Western Kentucky in 2018 as a graduate senior.

Professional career

ZZ Leiden

Darius Thompson signed a one-year contract with ZZ Leiden of the Dutch Basketball League (DBL) and the FIBA Europe Cup in August 2018, marking his professional debut shortly after graduating from Western Kentucky University. As the starting point guard, Thompson played a pivotal role in the team's transition-oriented offense, adapting quickly to professional play while providing scoring and playmaking from the backcourt. In the , Thompson appeared in 16 games, averaging 22.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, leading the competition in scoring and earning recognition as the top scorer. His efficiency and volume shooting were instrumental in ZZ Leiden's competitive run, highlighted by a career-high 36 points in a November 2018 win over Sakarya BB. In the domestic DBL, he led the league in scoring with 19.0 points per game across 34 regular-season appearances, complemented by strong assist numbers that underscored his role as the team's primary facilitator. ZZ Leiden captured the 2019 NBB Cup, defeating Landstede Zwolle in the final, where Thompson contributed 25 points to secure the victory. Although the team fell short in the DBL playoffs, reaching the semifinals, Thompson's individual excellence earned him DBL MVP honors, the Statistical Player of the Year award, and a selection to the All-DBL Team.

New Basket Brindisi

In July 2019, Darius Thompson signed a two-year contract with Happy Casa of the , marking his entry into Italian professional following his rookie season in the . The 2019–20 season was curtailed by the , with the league suspending play in March 2020 after had secured a playoff position. Thompson adapted well to the higher level of competition, leveraging his prior experience at to contribute as a key guard in limited action. In the subsequent 2020–21 campaign, he emerged as a standout performer, averaging 11.8 points and 3.5 assists over 13 appearances, while posting 13.4 points and 5.6 assists in 25 domestic league games. Thompson's breakout season earned him the Lega Basket Serie A Guard of the Year award and a spot on the All-LBA First Team, recognizing his scoring efficiency, playmaking, and defensive contributions. His efforts helped reach the , where they advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to .

Lokomotiv Kuban

In July 2021, Darius Thompson signed a one-year contract with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar of the , marking his transition to Russian basketball after two seasons in . As a key guard, Thompson quickly adapted to the physical and fast-paced style of the VTB and the 7DAYS EuroCup, leveraging his playmaking skills to facilitate the team's offense. During the 2021-22 season, Thompson showcased his scoring and distributing abilities across competitions. In the EuroCup, he appeared in 12 games, averaging 13.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and a team-high 5.8 assists per game while shooting 69.7% from the free-throw line. In the regular season, he played 10 games, contributing 9.1 points and 5.6 assists per game. Thompson played a pivotal role in Lokomotiv Kuban's pick-and-roll schemes, using his vision and quick decision-making to create opportunities for big men like Alan Williams and Stanton Kidd, often collapsing defenses to open up driving lanes or kick-out passes. Lokomotiv Kuban finished the VTB regular season strong enough to qualify for the playoffs, reaching the semifinals where they fell to in four games. However, the season was heavily impacted by geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia's invasion of in February 2022, which prompted to bar Russian clubs from international play and led to the withdrawal of non-Russian teams like from the VTB League. These disruptions created uncertainty for foreign players, including Thompson, who completed the domestic campaign but departed afterward amid the league's isolation from European .

Baskonia

In August 2022, Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz signed American-Italian guard Darius Thompson to a two-year contract, marking his entry into the Spanish and the . During the 2022-23 season, Thompson transitioned to the elite European level as a , building on his prior EuroCup experience with Lokomotiv . In the , he appeared in all 34 regular-season games for Baskonia, averaging 12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists (a league-high), 1.7 steals, and 26.9 minutes per game. His playmaking prowess was highlighted by a career-high 16 assists in a January 2023 home win over Anadolu Efes, contributing to Baskonia's 18-16 regular-season record, though the team missed the playoffs on tiebreakers. Thompson's overall impact earned him a spot on the All-EuroLeague Second Team. In the , Thompson suited up for 32 games, posting averages of 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per contest while shooting 50.8% from the field. Notable outings included multiple double-digit scoring efforts in key regular-season matchups, such as leading the team with 19 points in a win over . As the regular-season runners-up, Baskonia advanced to the playoffs but were eliminated in the quarterfinals, swept 0-3 by Joventut Badalona despite Thompson's consistent contributions in the series.

Anadolu Efes

In July 2023, Darius Thompson signed a three-year contract with Anadolu Efes , joining the Turkish club after his stint with Baskonia. Thompson spent two seasons with Anadolu Efes during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, establishing himself as a reliable point guard in the backcourt alongside . In his debut season (2023-24), he appeared in 35 games, averaging 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. His contributions helped Anadolu Efes clinch the regular-season title in the Turkish Super League, though the team fell short in the playoffs against Fenerbahçe Beko. The following year (2024-25), Thompson elevated his play, participating in 39 EuroLeague contests with averages of 9.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, achieving a team-high 11.7 efficiency rating. He played a pivotal role in guiding Anadolu Efes to the , where they advanced to the quarterfinals before a 3-2 defeat to eventual champions Panathinaikos AKTOR . Thompson's steady facilitation and scoring proved instrumental in the team's competitive run and strong domestic performances, including a 23-7 regular-season record in the Turkish league. His time with Anadolu Efes ended in July 2025 via a mutual agreement, allowing him to depart ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Valencia Basket

In July 2025, Darius Thompson agreed to a from Anadolu Efes and signed a three-year contract with , committing to the club for the 2025-26 and seasons. Thompson was officially presented as a Valencia player on September 25, 2025, at El Mercat de Roig Arena in an event sponsored by MGS Seguros. As of November 19, 2025, he has averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.4 rebounds across 11 appearances, while contributing 12.0 points per game in the domestic . Signed to bolster Valencia's backcourt alongside , Thompson has quickly adapted from the offensive system at Efes, providing scoring punch and playmaking in a rebuilding effort following the team's uneven prior campaign. His prior experience in the with Baskonia has aided his transition back to Spanish . Thompson has featured prominently in Valencia's early-season highlights, including a 94-79 victory over Fenerbahce Beko on October 28, 2025, where the team showcased strong defensive energy, and a 102-90 win against Joventut Badalona on October 26, 2025, highlighted by efficient backcourt play.

International career

Italian national team

Darius Thompson obtained citizenship in May 2024 through marriage to an Italian citizen, making him eligible to represent the Azzurri. His prior experience playing for in Italy's from 2019 to 2021 facilitated his integration into the domestic basketball scene, supporting his process. Thompson received his first call-up to Italy's senior national team on July 30, 2025, replacing injured guard for preparations ahead of EuroBasket 2025. He made his debut as a in a friendly against on August 14, 2025, where he played 16 minutes, scoring 3 points on 1-of-2 field goals and recording 1 assist. In his initial international appearances, Thompson has averaged 5.7 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game across six contests, serving primarily as a backup . He has integrated into the squad alongside established Italian stars such as and , contributing to the team's backcourt depth with his EuroLeague-honed scoring and distribution skills.

Major tournaments

Thompson made his debut in a major FIBA tournament at the 2025 , where he served as a key reserve guard for after joining the squad late in the preparation phase. Over six games, he averaged 5.7 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, contributing to Italy's overall efficiency rating of 4.8 for him in the competition. In the group stage, Thompson helped Italy secure victories against Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Spain, posting notable performances including 6 points and 3 assists in an 78-62 win over Georgia, where he ignited an 11-0 run that shifted momentum early in the game. His standout outing came against , scoring 14 points with 4 assists in a 96-79 triumph. These efforts were part of Italy's 4-1 group stage record, advancing them to the rounds. Italy finished 11th overall at the tournament after a 77-84 loss to Slovenia in the round of 16 and subsequent classification games, with Thompson registering 0 points in that defeat but providing 1 assist. His playmaking and defensive energy off the bench were instrumental in stabilizing Italy's backcourt during high-stakes matches against strong European opponents.

Career statistics

EuroLeague

Darius Thompson made his EuroLeague debut with Baskonia during the 2022-23 season, establishing himself as a key in Europe's premier club competition. Over his career to date, he has appeared in 113 regular-season games across four seasons with three teams, averaging 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. His contributions have been particularly notable in facilitating offenses, highlighted by his league-leading 6.7 assists per game in 2022-23, which earned him a spot on the All-EuroLeague Second Team. Thompson's peak performance came in his debut season with Baskonia, where he recorded six double-doubles in points and assists, including standout with 18 points and 14 assists against Olympiacos and a club-record 16 assists in a win over Real . In subsequent seasons with Anadolu Efes (2023-25), he maintained solid production, adapting to different roles while posting career highs in steals (1.7 per game in 2022-23) and efficiency ratings (up to 38 PIR in a single game). Joining for the 2025-26 season, Thompson has continued to excel as a scoring guard, averaging 12.5 points and 3.8 assists through 11 as of 2025. His notable include a high of 26 points against Bayern in 2024 and five steals in a game against Crvena Zvezda.
SeasonTeamGamesMPGPTSREBASTSTLBLKFG%3P%
2022-23Baskonia3426.912.63.26.71.70.4.497.384
2023-24Anadolu Efes3426.411.22.02.91.00.6.446.328
2024-25Anadolu Efes3426.79.81.94.70.90.5.513.440
2025-26Valencia Basket1120.612.52.23.81.00.3.495.460
Career-11325.411.52.34.71.20.5.484.389

Other European competitions

Darius Thompson began his professional European career in secondary continental competitions, where he established himself as a dynamic capable of high-volume scoring and efficient facilitation against mid-level opposition. In the 2018–19 with , Thompson played all 16 games, averaging 22.4 points, 3.9 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. His standout performance came in a group stage win over Sakarya BB, where he scored a competition-high 36 points. advanced to the round of 16 but was eliminated by , with Thompson contributing 18 points in the second leg. Thompson continued his development in the during his time with . In the 2020–21 season, he appeared in 12 games, averaging 12.1 points and 5.3 assists per game, with 2.8 rebounds and a 40.7% three-point shooting rate. Brindisi finished the group stage with a 6–4 record but did not advance to the playoffs. His most prominent showing in these tournaments came in the 2021–22 EuroCup with Lokomotiv Kuban, where he logged 18 games across the regular season and playoffs, averaging 12.1 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game while converting 38.5% of his three-point attempts. Thompson's playmaking was instrumental in Kuban's group stage success (10–4 record) and round-of-16 sweep over , though the team fell in the quarterfinals to Partizan Belgrade (0–2), with Thompson posting 14 points and 6 assists in the decisive second game. Across 46 games in these three competitions, Thompson maintained aggregated averages of 15.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, underscoring his transition toward elite-level play in more competitive environments.
CompetitionTeamSeasonGamesPPGAPGRPG
2018–191622.43.95.1
2020–211212.15.32.8
EuroCupLokomotiv Kuban2021–221812.14.73.2

Domestic leagues

Thompson began his professional career in the (DBL) during the 2018–19 season with , where he averaged 19.0 points per game across 34 games, leading the league in scoring and earning the DBL award. His scoring prowess and playmaking helped Leiden secure the championship that year. In the Italian , Thompson spent two seasons with from 2019 to 2021. During the 2019–20 season, he played 21 games, averaging 11.6 points and 3.0 assists per game. He improved in 2020–21, appearing in 25 games with averages of 13.4 points and 5.6 assists, contributing to Brindisi's playoff run. Thompson moved to the Russian for the 2021–22 season with , playing 24 games and averaging 11.7 points along with 5.6 assists per game. In Spain's , he joined Baskonia in 2022–23, where he logged 32 games with 10.0 points and a team-leading 6.1 assists per game. With Anadolu Efes in the Turkish for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, Thompson played 25 games each year; he averaged 12.7 points and 4.5 assists in 2023–24 during a championship campaign, and 6.7 points with 4.4 assists in 2024–25. As of November 2025, in his first season with in the ACB (2025–26), he has appeared in 7 games, averaging 11.4 points and 4.8 assists. The following table summarizes Thompson's domestic league statistics year by year, focusing on key metrics from regular season and playoffs (excluding European competitions). Data is sourced from Basketball-Reference.com and RealGM.com.
SeasonTeamLeagueGPPPGAPGRPGSPG
2018–19DBL3419.04.55.02.5
2019–202111.63.03.21.3
2020–212513.45.63.41.6
2021–22Lokomotiv VTB2411.75.63.51.9
2022–23BaskoniaACB3210.06.12.11.2
2023–24Anadolu EfesBSL2512.74.52.61.1
2024–25Anadolu EfesBSL256.74.41.81.0
2025–26ACB711.44.82.81.4

College

Darius Thompson began his career at the during the 2013–14 season, where he appeared in 37 games as a , averaging 2.5 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game. He transferred to the for the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, playing in 70 games total and averaging 5.2 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 rebounds per game across those years. In his senior year, Thompson transferred to for the 2017–18 season, starting all 38 games and posting career highs of 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game. Over his entire NCAA career spanning 145 games at these three institutions, Thompson accumulated averages of 6.7 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.7% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range, and 70.9% from the free-throw line. The following table summarizes his per-season and career statistics:
SeasonSchoolGamesMPGPPGRPGAPGFG%3P%FT%
2013–143716.82.52.02.4.381.195.733
2015–163717.54.31.21.4.537.390.722
2016–173320.86.21.62.2.448.351.605
2017–18Western Kentucky3835.613.64.24.8.463.355.736
Career14522.76.72.32.7.457.333.709
Note: MPG refers to minutes per game; PPG to points per game; RPG to rebounds per game; APG to assists per game.

Honors and achievements

Club honors

During his debut professional season with ZZ Leiden in 2018–19, Thompson helped the team win the NBB Cup and was named the MVP of the Dutch Basketball League, while also leading the league in scoring at 19.0 points per game. In 2020–21 with , Thompson earned a spot on the All-LBA First Team after averaging 13.4 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in the Italian league. Thompson had a breakout 2022–23 campaign with Baskonia, where he led the in assists (6.7 per game) and was selected to the All- Second Team as the only honoree from a non-playoff squad; he also made the All-ACB Team. With Anadolu Efes in 2023–24, Thompson's team reached the Turkish Basketball Super League finals but finished as runners-up to Fenerbahçe after a 3-1 series defeat. In his first season with in 2025–26, Thompson contributed to the team's victory in the Spanish Super Cup. Additionally, Thompson received two Round MVP honors with Baskonia in 2022–23, highlighted by a 19-point, 16-assist performance in Round 21 against Anadolu Efes and a 23-point, 12-assist effort in Round 33 against LDLC ASVEL .

International honors

Darius Thompson earned his first call-up to the Italian senior national team in July 2025, joining the roster for EuroBasket 2025 as a naturalized player after obtaining Italian citizenship and replacing the injured . Thompson debuted for in a preparation friendly against on August 14, 2025, where he contributed to an 84-72 victory, marking his initial international appearance with the Azzurri. During EuroBasket 2025, Thompson played in all six games, providing key bench support with averages of 5.7 points, 2.5 assists, and 0.8 rebounds per game, including a pivotal role in sparking an 11-0 run during Italy's group-stage win over Georgia. His integration bolstered Italy's backcourt depth, aiding the team's qualification success through prior rounds and their advancement to the round of 16—defeating in the group stage before a narrow loss to —enhancing Italy's standing in competitions post his .

References

  1. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/profile/011078/
  2. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/darius-thompson-1.html
  3. https://wkusports.com/news/2018/8/7/mens-basketball-thompson-signs-first-pro-contract-in-the-netherlands
  4. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/vtb-united/2022_totals.html
  5. https://3stepsbasket.com/player/darius-thompson?season=bsl24
  6. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/011078/
  7. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/257706-darius-thompson
  8. https://virginiasports.com/player/darius-thompson/
  9. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonnie-thompson-75215b189
  10. https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2018/02/26/cumberland-basketball-coach-lonnie-thompson-retires/373795002/
  11. https://utsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/darius-thompson/612
  12. https://wkusports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/darius-thompson/1191
  13. https://www.wbko.com/content/news/UVA-transfer-Thompson-reportedly-commits-to-WKU-423046064.html
  14. https://utsports.com/news/2013/4/17/Vols_Sign_Midstate_Guard_Darius_Thompson.aspx
  15. https://www.usatodayhss.com/story/sports/high-school/2013/03/23/blackmans-darius-thompson-commits-to-tennessee/81777792007/
  16. https://conferenceusa.com/news/2018/3/5/mens-basketball-mbb-c-usa-announces-all-conference-teams.aspx
  17. https://wkusports.com/news/2018/3/4/mens-basketball-johnson-thompson-named-all-c-usa-selections-hollingsworth-picked-to-all-freshman-team.aspx
  18. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1377144/baskonia-adds-darius-thompson-euroleague/
  19. https://markoturk-scouting.medium.com/scouting-report-darius-thompson-901dfc1d85e6
  20. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/news/europecup-18-19-news-leiden-guard-thompson-sets-new-season-high-in-points-to-headline-top-performers
  21. https://www.eurobasket.com/Holland/basketball-Eredivisie_2018-2019.aspx
  22. https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Darius-Thompson/Summary/56692
  23. https://lokobasket.com/en/news/161712/
  24. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/208136/players/257706-darius-thompson
  25. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/italy-basket-serie-a/2021_totals.html
  26. https://www.eurobasket.com/Italy/basketball-league-serie-a_2020-2021.aspx
  27. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/darius-thompson/011078/
  28. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/darius-thompson-1.html
  29. https://vtb-league.com/en/news/the-russian-championship-21-22-final-standings/
  30. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/vtb/1314904/vtb-league-continues-the-season/
  31. https://basketnews.com/news-176388-baskonia-officially-sign-darius-thompson.html
  32. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/baskonia-signs-guard-thompson/
  33. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/teams/vitoria/2023.html
  34. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/62490/darius-thompson
  35. https://basketnews.com/news-188216-baskonias-unlucky-streak-continues-as-they-miss-euroleague-playoffs.html
  36. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/spain-liga-acb/2023_totals.html
  37. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/acb/1509342/kyle-guy-scores-36-in-stunning-badalona-win-at-baskonia/
  38. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/news/anadolu-efes-inks-all-euroleague-playmaker-darius-thompson/
  39. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/teams/anadolu-efes/2024.html
  40. https://www.eurobasket.com/Turkey/basketball-League-BSL_2023-2024.aspx
  41. https://basketnews.com/news-227680-darius-thompson-set-to-sign-with-valencia.html
  42. https://www.eurobasket.com/Euroleague/news/934383/EuroLeague-202425-Final-Four-Weekend-takes-centre-stage-in-Abu-Dhabi
  43. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/teams/anadolu-efes/2025.html
  44. https://basketnews.com/news-228043-official-darius-thompson-changes-teams-in-euroleague.html
  45. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/valencia-secures-darius-thompson/
  46. https://www.valenciabasket.com/en/darius-thompson-presented-as-new-taronja-player-at-el-mercat-de-roig-arena-with-mgs
  47. https://basketball.realgm.com/international/league/4/Spanish-ACB/team/56/Valencia-Basket/stats/2026/Averages/All/All/points/PG/desc/1/Regular_Season
  48. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1849112/darius-thompson-valencia-basket-euroleague/
  49. https://www.valenciabasket.com/en/valencia-basket-defeats-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-with-a-solid-team-performance-94-79
  50. https://basketball.realgm.com/international/boxscore/2025-10-26/Joventut-Badalona-at-Valencia-Basket/512873
  51. https://basketnews.com/news-206227-darius-thompson-receives-italian-passport.html
  52. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1521754/italian-national-team-calling-darius-thompson-with-milan-watching/
  53. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurobasket/1852843/donte-divincenzo-out-darius-thompson-in-italy-eurobasket-fiba/
  54. https://basketballsphere.com/en/fontecchio-shines-thompson-debuts-as-italy-rolls-past-argentina/
  55. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025/teams/italy/257706-darius-thompson
  56. https://basketnews.com/news-230358-i-dont-even-know-my-role-italys-game-changer-navigates-international-debut.html
  57. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/62490/darius-thompson/games
  58. https://www.nba.com/news/eurobasket-2025-schedule-standings-results
  59. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025/standings
  60. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025/teams/italy
  61. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/darius-thompson/records/011078/
  62. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/individual-highs-darius-thompson-baskonia-14-assists/
  63. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/news/darius-thompson-round-21-mvp-2022-23-turkish-airlines-euroleague/
  64. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/212-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-2/208052/games/95737-SASS-ZZLEI
  65. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/112-fiba-mens-european-club-competitions-tier-1/208247/players/257706-darius-thompson
  66. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/2021-22/players/011078-darius-thompson/statistics
  67. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/teams/brindisi/2021.html
  68. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/here-is-your-2022-23-all-euroleague-second-team/
  69. https://basketball.realgm.com/international/league/4/Spanish-ACB/team/18/Baskonia/rosters/2023
  70. https://basketnews.com/news-184474-darius-thompson-claims-euroleague-round-21-mvp-award.html
  71. https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1486987/darius-thompson-baskonia-asvel-euroleague-round-33-mvp/
  72. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025/games/123020-ITA-SLO
  73. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwG19bTY8Ek
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