Stephen Thompson Bio
Stephen Mark Thompson Jr., nicknamed Stevie, is an American-Puerto Rican professional basketball player who most recently suited up for the Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G League. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, he plays both the shooting guard and point guard positions and has built a versatile international resume across the United States, Italy, Israel, and Puerto Rico. He is recognized for his scoring ability, perimeter shooting, and the steady playmaking that has defined his career since college.
Thompson began his professional journey after a standout run at Oregon State, where he developed into one of the most productive guards in the Pac-12 Conference. He has since represented Puerto Rico in senior international competitions and has continued to refine his game through stints with several clubs in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) and overseas leagues.
Early Life and Background
Stephen Mark Thompson Jr. was born on March 23, 1997, in Harbor City, California. He is the son of Stephen Thompson and Amy Thompson, and his father is a former National Basketball Association (NBA) player, a connection that helped shape his early path in the sport. Growing up in a basketball household, Thompson developed his fundamentals at a young age and quickly emerged as one of the top prospects in Southern California.
He attended Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California, where he put together one of the most decorated prep careers in school history. Thompson set school records for career points with 2,246 and season points with 803, while posting a 24.4 point scoring average as a senior. He was named the CIF Southern Section Division IV High School Player of the Year by the John R. Wooden Award Committee and earned First Team All-State honors as a junior. He was also a three-time First Team All-Del Rey League selection, and he graduated with a 4.33 grade-point average, highlighting his dedication in the classroom as well as on the court.
Path to Basketball
Thompson’s path to professional basketball accelerated when he joined the Oregon State Beavers men’s basketball program in 2015. He played four seasons with the program and steadily grew into one of the Pac-12 Conference’s most reliable scorers. As a freshman he averaged 10.6 points per game and earned Pac-12 All-Academic recognition, demonstrating the balance of performance and scholarship that defined his college years.
By his sophomore season, Thompson was averaging 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game while ranking among the conference leaders in scoring and steals. He finished his Oregon State career fourth all-time in scoring with 1,767 points and first in three-pointers made with 230. He also completed his bachelor’s degree in Digital Communication Arts in three years and went on to pursue a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Speech Communication and Sociology, an uncommon academic path for a Division I athlete.
Stephen Thompson Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Thompson declared for the 2017 NBA Draft before ultimately returning to Oregon State, and he finished his college career in 2019 as a Second-team All-Pac-12 selection and Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft and signed with the Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G League, where he was added to the training camp roster on October 28, 2019. He appeared in three games for the Herd during his rookie season.
On February 4, 2020, Thompson was signed by the Erie BayHawks of the G League, though he was waived ten days later after playing in just one game. The early stops gave him a brief but important introduction to professional basketball and set the stage for a move overseas to continue his development.
European Stint (2020–2023)
Thompson signed with Stella Azzurra Roma of the Italian Serie A2 Basket on August 1, 2020, and quickly emerged as one of the league’s top scorers. In the 2020–21 season he averaged 21.4 points per game, ranking third in the league, along with 5.4 rebounds and a league-leading 2.1 steals per contest. His performance in Italy reinforced his identity as a scoring guard with international upside.
On July 16, 2021, Thompson signed a two-year contract with Reggio Emilia of the Italian Serie A and the FIBA Europe Cup. He later moved to Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League on November 23, 2022, where he also competed in the European Basketball Champions League. The European years broadened his tactical game and prepared him for a sustained role in the BSN and the G League.
Vaqueros de Bayamón Era (2021–Present)
Thompson joined the Vaqueros de Bayamón of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in 2021 and became a centerpiece of their backcourt. He helped the franchise win the BSN championship in 2022 and was named to the BSN Second Team in 2023. He returned to Bayamón in subsequent seasons and has remained a key contributor whenever available.
During the 2025 BSN season, Thompson helped the Vaqueros capture their 17th championship on August 12, 2025, securing his second BSN title. His production and leadership in the BSN have made him one of the most recognizable guards in the league.
Wisconsin Herd and NBA Experience (2019–Present)
Thompson has had multiple stints with the Wisconsin Herd, including 2019–2020, 2023–2024, 2024–2025, and a fourth stint beginning in 2025. On October 15, 2025, he signed a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks but was waived two days later and returned to the Herd. On November 7, 2025, he was named to the Herd’s opening night roster, and on January 9, 2026, he recorded 32 points and a career-high 11 assists in a 121–112 loss to the Long Island Nets, a performance that made him the Herd’s all-time leading scorer.
Thompson made his 2026 BSN season debut on April 11, 2026, scoring 7 points with 5 rebounds for the Vaqueros de Bayamón, allowing him to play in both the G League and BSN seasons each year.
Notable Events and Milestones
Thompson’s most prominent moments include his two BSN championships with the Vaqueros de Bayamón, his league-leading steals average in Italy, and his record-setting 32-point, 11-assist performance for the Wisconsin Herd in January 2026. He has also represented Puerto Rico at the 2021 FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifier, the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup, the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Stephen Thompson Career Wins
Across his professional career, Thompson has collected two BSN championships with the Vaqueros de Bayamón and a BSN Second Team honor in 2023, while also earning Second-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2019. He has notched several scoring titles abroad and established himself as one of the Herd’s most consistent offensive performers, culminating in becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
BSN Highlights
Thompson won the BSN championship in 2022 and again in 2025, playing a leading role for the Vaqueros de Bayamón on both occasions. He was also named to the BSN Second Team in 2023, reflecting his consistent production as a guard in the league.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the BSN, Thompson set a school scoring record at Bishop Montgomery and ranked among the Pac-12 leaders in scoring and steals during his time at Oregon State. His professional scoring average of 21.4 points per game in Italy stood as one of the strongest individual seasons of his career, and he remains a productive contributor in the NBA G League.
Stephen Thompson Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Thompson is the son of former NBA player Stephen Thompson and Amy Thompson, a family connection that helped shape his path in professional basketball. His brother, Ethan, also played for the Oregon State Beavers men’s basketball team, continuing the family’s strong ties to the program.
Personal Life
Thompson is widely known by the nickname Stevie, and he represents both his American and Puerto Rican heritage in international competition. He continues to balance his commitments between the NBA G League and the BSN, and he remains active with the Vaqueros de Bayamón while pursuing further professional opportunities.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 BSN season, Thompson played a key role for the Vaqueros de Bayamón and helped the franchise win its 17th championship on August 12, 2025. His scoring, playmaking, and perimeter defense provided the veteran presence the Vaqueros needed throughout the postseason run.
In the NBA G League, Thompson spent the early part of the 2024–25 season with the Wisconsin Herd before returning to Bayamón for the BSN campaign. After rejoining the Herd for the 2025–26 season on November 7, 2025, he delivered a career-defining performance of 32 points and 11 assists on January 9, 2026, cementing his status as the Herd’s all-time leading scorer. With another BSN title in hand and a clear role in Wisconsin, Thompson enters the next chapter of his career as a proven international scorer and a respected veteran across multiple leagues.
