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). He is also the team manager for the Perpetual Altas of the Philippines' NCAA.

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. Thompson has American roots through his paternal 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 System DALTA Altas 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.

In 2023, Perpetual retired Thompson's jersey #6.

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, and 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 semifinals of 2016 PBA Governors' Cup, he registered a triple double performance long after Johnny Abarientos era. He was awarded later the 2016 All-Rookie Team.

In 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, he was awarded the PBA Finals MVP. He eventually won the 2018 PBA Mythical Second Team and PBA Most Improved Player awards.

In 2021 PBA Governors' Cup, Thompson won his first PBA Best Player of the Conference Award. In the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup Finals, he won his sixth PBA title and was judged as the Finals MVP for the second time of his career. In June 5, 2022, he was awarded the 2021 PBA Mythical First Team and the 2021 PBA Most Valuable Player.

In January 6, 2023, Thompson was awarded with his second Best Player of the Conference award, this time in the 2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup. In November 5, 2023, he was included in the 2022–23 PBA Mythical First Team for the second straight season.

PBA career statistics
As of the end of 2023–24 season

Season-by-season averages

 * align=left |
 * align=left | Barangay Ginebra
 * 49 || 21.5 || .384 || .264 || .606 || 5.1 || 3.2 || .5 || .1 || 5.5
 * align=left |
 * align=left | Barangay Ginebra
 * 64 || 30.5 || .459 || .271 || .565 || 7.8 || 4.4 || 1.0 || .2 || 8.5
 * align=left |
 * align=left | Barangay Ginebra
 * 57 || 34.1 || .445 || .320 || .687 || 9.0 || 5.6 || 1.4 || .3 || 9.3
 * align=left |
 * align=left | Barangay Ginebra
 * 52 || 31.9 || .439 || .311 || .538 || 7.3 || 5.0 || 1.3 || .4 || 8.3
 * align=left |
 * align=left | Barangay Ginebra
 * 22 || 36.5 || .439 || .329 || .689 || 8.8 || 5.8 || 1.1 || .4 || 11.0
 * align=left |
 * align=left | Barangay Ginebra
 * 33 || 38.3 || .479 || .363 || .700 || 9.0 || 5.4 || 1.2 || .9 || 13.9
 * align=left |
 * align=left | Barangay Ginebra
 * 60 || 37.8 || .490 || .358 || .681 || 7.7 || 6.0 || 1.6 || .6 || 13.9
 * align=left |
 * align=left | Barangay Ginebra
 * 25 || 37.0 || .395 || .314 || .429 || 7.3 || 6.2 || 1.5 || .8 || 10.3
 * -class=sortbottom
 * align="center" colspan="2" | Career
 * 362 || 32.8 || .450 || .322 || .625 || 7.7 || 5.1 || 1.2 || .4 || 9.8
 * 60 || 37.8 || .490 || .358 || .681 || 7.7 || 6.0 || 1.6 || .6 || 13.9
 * align=left |
 * align=left | Barangay Ginebra
 * 25 || 37.0 || .395 || .314 || .429 || 7.3 || 6.2 || 1.5 || .8 || 10.3
 * -class=sortbottom
 * align="center" colspan="2" | Career
 * 362 || 32.8 || .450 || .322 || .625 || 7.7 || 5.1 || 1.2 || .4 || 9.8
 * 362 || 32.8 || .450 || .322 || .625 || 7.7 || 5.1 || 1.2 || .4 || 9.8

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.

Thompson was included in the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where he was eventually included in the final 12-man lineup.

Player profile
Thompson is well-known for his offensive mindset and defensive versatility. In college, he accumulated several triple-doubles on account of his all-around capabilities.

On offense, his scoring output is not that high, averaging just 9.8 points per game in his career because of his role on the team. However, he focuses on making his teammates better as a facilitator. With his play-making abilities and skills, he averages 5.1 assists per game in his career.

He is also highly regarded for his rebounding efforts. At a height of 6'1, he is a great rebounder for his position and size. Thompson credits his prowess to having good positioning. Others credit it to his high energy and hustle. He can outrebound a taller opponent due to his high vertical leap. During the Governor's Cup, he was 2nd in rebounds per game among locals with nearly 10 (behind only the 6'10 June Mar Fajardo). As of the end of the 2023–24 PBA season, he has managed 7.7 rebounds per game.

With that, he is often compared to Russell Westbrook of the NBA because of their similar playing style.

Thompson is considered a lockdown defender, especially on the perimeter. He is often asked to guard his opposition over a high volume of minutes. He excels at forcing turnovers against opponents.

Personal life
Thompson founded his own barbershop, the Thompson’s Sports Hair Shop which opened in Digos in October 2016. According to Thompson, he is of partial American descent as his great grandfather is African American.

In August 2023, Thompson formally graduated from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Major in Marketing Management. He also received the Dr/BGen Antonio Laperal Tamayo Leadership Plaque for Sports and Athletics award.