If Klay Thompson retired today would he have the greatest NBA career of any Coug? The only other contenders are James Donaldson, Craig Ehlo, and Gene Conley. Conley has 3 titles, Donaldson has 1 all star and longevity, Ehlo has some longevity. Thompson does have 2 all stars, 1 title, and an Olympic team, which wasn't really available for the other 3.
Best Coug Ever?
- Thread starter LoveJeffersonFanClub
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Was not around for Conley. Donaldson is a great story and Ehlo surprised a lot of folk. Guy Williams woulda-coulda-shoulda and Don Collins, Steve Harriel, and Mark Hendrickson had some NBA time.
Klay Thompson is our best and hopefully is around for some time!
My all-time favorite, Ike Fontaine, had a week in the NBA. As for the best ever, I guess it depends on how you define it. WSU career, professional career, combination of both, or whatever. Either way Thompson's gotta be right up there.
I was looking at NBA career only. Statically he is the best, tied with accolades but lacks a longevity at this point. It can be argued that he is the most talented. I have no doubts, barring, career altering injury he will have longevity as well. I was just curious what others would say up to this point.
Klay has already played in the third most NBA games of any Coug. He trails Donaldson and Ehlo by quite a margin - however by the end of next season he should pass both in career points.
Not a lot of competition. Only eight WSU players have played in a hundred NBA games. The four you mentioned plus Baynes, Collins, Quinnett, and Hendrickson. Conley did win three rings but was a career backup - never started a game in six seasons. He did play a lot off the bench for those Celtic teams though.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/colleges.cgi?college=washst
Not a lot of competition. Only eight WSU players have played in a hundred NBA games. The four you mentioned plus Baynes, Collins, Quinnett, and Hendrickson. Conley did win three rings but was a career backup - never started a game in six seasons. He did play a lot off the bench for those Celtic teams though.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/colleges.cgi?college=washst
Klay is likely it. But, man, were it not for the knee injury, Guy Williams was something special.
Collins, Ehlo, Donaldson, Hendrickson and Conley are all mentions but for their own reasons, none really stands out as 'the best'. Probably throw Baynes, Ike and Weaver/Rochestie in there for giggles just based on what they did in Pullman and/or subsequent professional careers.
Collins, Ehlo, Donaldson, Hendrickson and Conley are all mentions but for their own reasons, none really stands out as 'the best'. Probably throw Baynes, Ike and Weaver/Rochestie in there for giggles just based on what they did in Pullman and/or subsequent professional careers.
It's pretty amazing to have not one, but two WSU basketball players in the NBA at one time...and both have gotten championship rings.
Klay's resume is growing quickly too. He should get an Olympic gold medal (that would be a colossal upset if he didn't).
Baynes will continue to develop and have a long and lucrative NBA career.
Who said we can't recruit NBA players to WSU? Ed? Bob?
It's not easy and won't be done on a regular basis, but it can happen if we hire the right coaches. They must be dynamic and have a strong vision they articulate to the fans and recruits.
Oh, and it would help if we could invest more $ into the program too. That never hurts.
I would surprised if Thompson contributed a substantial amount of money. He is well known for being a prudent man who carefully watches his money.
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