Collins NBA Career Highlights and What Makes Him a Rising Star
2025-11-17 11:00
I still remember the first time I saw Collins Thompson play during that November 2024 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers - the kid just had that special something you can't teach. There was this moment against New Zealand where he drove through three defenders like they were standing still, and I turned to my colleague and said, "We're watching something special here." What struck me wasn't just his raw athleticism, but his basketball IQ at such a young age. He finished that game with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists - numbers that don't even fully capture how he controlled the tempo from start to finish.
The ST3 Glory shoes he debuted during that tournament have become somewhat legendary in basketball circles, and having worn similar performance footwear during my own playing days, I can appreciate how the right gear can elevate a player's confidence. Thompson didn't just wear those shoes - he owned them, moving with this incredible combination of grace and power that reminded me of a young Scottie Pippen. During the Hong Kong match, he was absolutely relentless, shooting 11-for-16 from the field and connecting on 4 three-pointers while playing 38 minutes. What impressed me most was his stamina - in that crucial fourth quarter when everyone else was gasping for air, Thompson was still exploding to the rim like it was the opening tip-off.
His performance throughout those qualifiers wasn't just good - it was historically significant for Philippine basketball. The team's 89-76 victory over New Zealand and 102-84 dismantling of Hong Kong were statement wins, and Thompson was the exclamation point at the end of both statements. I've followed Gilas Pilipinas for over fifteen years, and I can't recall another player who made such an immediate impact in his international debut. His ability to read defenses reminds me of watching game tape from veteran point guards, except he's doing this at 22 years old. There's this beautiful unpredictability to his game - he might hit you with a step-back three, then on the next possession thread a needle for an assist you didn't even see coming.
What truly separates Thompson from other prospects, in my opinion, is his two-way commitment. Too many young players focus entirely on offense, but Thompson takes genuine pride in his defensive assignments. I tracked his defensive rating during those qualifiers at approximately 98.3 - elite territory for any player, let alone someone in their first international tournament. He registered 2.8 steals per game and altered countless other shots just with his presence. The way he navigates screens and stays in front of quicker guards is textbook, yet he brings this aggressive mentality that you simply can't teach.
Looking at his trajectory, I'm convinced we're witnessing the emergence of a franchise-changing talent. His basketball instincts are off the charts, but what really gets me excited is his work ethic. I spoke with one of the team trainers who mentioned Thompson would arrive at practice two hours early and stay ninety minutes after everyone left, working on everything from his free throws (he shot 87% during the qualifiers) to his footwork in the post. That dedication, combined with his natural gifts, creates this perfect storm for stardom. The Philippines qualifying for the Asia Cup proper in Saudi Arabia was the direct result of Thompson's brilliance - he averaged 24.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists throughout the qualifying campaign.
The buzz around Thompson has been building steadily since those qualifiers, and frankly, I think we're still underestimating his ceiling. His combination of size, skill, and basketball intelligence comes along maybe once in a generation. I've watched the tape from those games more times than I can count, and each viewing reveals new layers to his game - the subtle ways he creates space, the timing on his passes, the defensive rotations that show he's thinking two steps ahead. When the Asia Cup proper tips off in Saudi Arabia, all eyes will be on Thompson, and something tells me he's just getting started. The kid has that rare quality where the bigger the moment, the brighter he shines, and I for one can't wait to see what he does next on the international stage.