Ethan Thompson Bio
Ethan Ivan Thompson is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he operates on a two-way contract that links him to the Noblesville Boom of the NBA G League. A 6-foot-4 shooting guard, Thompson has built his career through steady development in college and the G League before reaching the NBA. He also represents the Puerto Rican national team in international competition.
Born on May 4, 1999, in Harbor City, California, Thompson has forged a professional path that has taken him through multiple G League affiliates and international programs. Known for his scoring ability and playmaking vision, he has continued to grow as a perimeter contributor in the modern NBA style of play.
Early Life and Background
Ethan Ivan Thompson was born on May 4, 1999, in Harbor City, California, a coastal neighborhood in the Los Angeles area. He grew up in a family with strong ties to the sport, and his early years were shaped by a household that valued basketball and competition.
His father, Stephen Thompson, is a former NBA veteran who later became an assistant coach for the Oregon State Beavers, giving Ethan direct exposure to high-level basketball training and a deep understanding of professional expectations. His older brother, Stevie Thompson, also played for the Oregon State Beavers from 2015 to 2019, reinforcing the family’s connection to the program.
Thompson attended Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California, where he spent all four years on the varsity roster. As a senior, he averaged 22.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, establishing himself as one of the top prep players in the state of California.
Path to Professional Basketball
Thompson’s high school résumé was capped by leading Bishop Montgomery to the CIF Open Division State Championship, a run that included a notable regional victory over Chino Hills, the program led by LaMelo Ball and his brother LiAngelo. He followed that with a regional final win over Mater Dei and a state-title victory over Woodcreek, confirming his status as a clutch performer in big games. He was named the 2017 California Mr. Basketball in recognition of his senior season and also led the 2017 Ballislife All-American Game in scoring with 32 points on 14-of-18 shooting.
On November 9, 2016, Thompson signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the Oregon State Beavers, citing the program’s basketball facility, coaching staff, and team culture. He made an immediate impact, scoring 20 points with 5 assists and 8 rebounds in his college debut against Southern Utah. As a junior, he started 31 games and finished second on the Beavers in scoring at 14.8 points per game while leading the team with 4.5 assists per game.
Thompson tested the NBA waters by declaring for the 2019 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to Oregon State. He again declared for the 2020 draft without hiring an agent, eventually finishing his college career with a First-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2021.
Ethan Thompson Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Thompson joined the Chicago Bulls for the 2021 NBA Summer League. He signed with the Bulls on September 8, 2021, but was waived on October 11, 2021, before being assigned to their G League affiliate.
Thompson spent the next two seasons with the Windy City Bulls, the Bulls’ G League affiliate, where he worked to refine his perimeter game and create a clear role for himself as a scorer and distributor. The stint gave him the experience needed to attract interest from international and G League programs.
NBA G League Breakthrough (2023–2025)
On October 30, 2023, Thompson signed with the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League, expanding his game to the international circuit. His performance with the Capitanes helped him earn recognition across the league and positioned him for further opportunities.
On March 2, 2024, Thompson was selected first overall in the 2024 BSN draft by the Osos de Manatí, marking a major achievement at the professional level. Later in 2024, he joined the Osceola Magic, the Orlando Magic’s G League affiliate, after a brief preseason stint with the Magic. On February 7, 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic, though he did not appear in an NBA game during that tenure and was waived on July 23, 2025.
His standout run came with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in 2025, where he averaged 26.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists across eight games. That performance generated renewed NBA interest and produced a 2024 All-NBA G League Third Team selection and a pair of NBA G League Next Up Game invitations.
Indiana Pacers / Noblesville Boom Era (2025–Present)
On December 1, 2025, Thompson signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers, linking him to the Noblesville Boom. He made his NBA debut that same day against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring his first career points on a jump shot in the fourth quarter.
Thompson continued to build his role, scoring a career-high 11 points on December 5, 2025, against an unspecified opponent, while adding two rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two blocks. On December 8, 2025, he made his first career start against the Sacramento Kings, finishing with six points and five rebounds.
On April 1, 2026, Thompson set a new career high with 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, adding 5 assists in a 145–126 win over the Chicago Bulls. His production underscored his growth as a two-way contributor and signaled his growing importance within the Pacers’ rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Thompson is a left-handed scoring guard with a smooth shooting stroke and a strong feel for playmaking, fitting naturally into a modern perimeter offense. He excels in transition and as a pull-up shooter, and he uses his 6-foot-4 frame to read defenses and set up teammates. His G League averages reflect a player comfortable as a primary scorer who can also facilitate offense at high tempo.
Notable Events and Milestones
Thompson’s signature moments include leading Bishop Montgomery to a state title, his 32-point Ballislife All-American performance, and his first overall selection in the 2024 BSN draft by the Osos de Manatí. In the NBA, he debuted with the Pacers on December 1, 2025, posted a 24-point career high on April 1, 2026, and earned two NBA G League Next Up Game nods in 2024 and 2026.
Ethan Thompson Career Wins
Ethan Thompson has collected a series of competitive wins and recognitions across high school, college, and the professional ranks, reflecting his steady rise from prep star to NBA contributor. His résumé includes team championships and individual awards at every level he has played.
High School and College Highlights
Thompson won the CIF Open Division State Championship with Bishop Montgomery in 2017, was named California Mr. Basketball the same year, and was selected First-team All-Pac-12 in 2021 after his senior season at Oregon State. Those accolades framed his transition to professional basketball.
Other Wins and Performances
At the international level, Thompson represented Puerto Rico at the 2016 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He later became the first overall pick in the 2024 BSN draft, a career-defining moment that validated his development.
Ethan Thompson Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Thompson comes from a basketball family with deep ties to the Oregon State program. His father, Stephen Thompson, is a former NBA veteran who has served as an assistant coach for the Oregon State Beavers, giving Ethan firsthand insight into the professional game.
His older brother, Stevie Thompson, played for the Oregon State Beavers from 2015 to 2019, further strengthening the family’s bond with the program. That shared basketball upbringing helped shape Ethan’s competitive approach and prepared him for the demands of a professional career.
Personal Life
Ethan Ivan Thompson was raised in Harbor City, California, and built his early basketball identity in the Los Angeles area. His Puerto Rican heritage has guided his choice to represent Puerto Rico in international play, including the 2016 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.
2025 Season Performance
Ethan Thompson’s 2025 season was a transitional year that included stints with the Osceola Magic, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, and a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers. After being waived by the Orlando Magic in July 2025, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Miami Heat before joining the Skyforce, where he averaged 26.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists across eight games.
His strong play with the Skyforce led to a two-way deal with the Indiana Pacers on December 1, 2025, and his NBA debut the same day against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He quickly established a role, posting a career-high 11 points on December 5, making his first start on December 8 against the Sacramento Kings, and finishing the year on a high note.
Entering the spring of 2026, Thompson’s form suggested continued growth, capped by a 24-point career high on April 1, 2026, in a 145–126 win over the Chicago Bulls. With his two-way contract extending into the Pacers’ rotation and the Noblesville Boom awaiting his G League assignments, his outlook remained promising.
