Legendary pro basketball leaping sensation David Thompson was a contemporary of Julius “Dr J” Erving and George “Iceman” Gervin of the ABA prior to the merger with the NBA. Although standing only 6-3, the North Carolina State product consistently found a home at the rim with the ability to elevate above even the tallest defenders.
He penetrated the national roundball radar screen by leading his Wolfpack to the 1974 NCAA National Championship, including dethroning defending titlist UCLA led by Bill Walton in the semi-final round. As a pro, Thompson is one of only six players to score 70 or more points in a single NBA game and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1996.