John Thompson Jr., the legendary basketball coach who led the Georgetown Hoyas to the NCAA national championship in 1984, died Monday. He was 78.
The Team 980, a D.C. sports radio station, first reported the news. No cause of death has been announced.
Thompson, affectionately known as “Big John,” became the first Black coach to win the NCAA championship when the Hoyas topped the Houston Cougars by nine points in 1984. He led the Hoyas to three other Final Fours in the 1980s and also coached the U.S. men’s basketball team to the bronze medal at the 1988 Olympics.
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Among the players he coached in his 27-year career at Georgetown included Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo and Allen Iverson. His son, John Thompson III, later coached Georgetown from 2004-2017, leading them to one Final Four appearance.
As a player, John...
The Team 980, a D.C. sports radio station, first reported the news. No cause of death has been announced.
Thompson, affectionately known as “Big John,” became the first Black coach to win the NCAA championship when the Hoyas topped the Houston Cougars by nine points in 1984. He led the Hoyas to three other Final Fours in the 1980s and also coached the U.S. men’s basketball team to the bronze medal at the 1988 Olympics.
Also Read: Cliff Robinson, NBA All-Star and 'Survivor' Contestant, Dies at 53
Among the players he coached in his 27-year career at Georgetown included Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo and Allen Iverson. His son, John Thompson III, later coached Georgetown from 2004-2017, leading them to one Final Four appearance.
As a player, John...
- 8/31/2020
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
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