SENIOR SALUTE: Khyre Thompson

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Khyre Thompson is blessed. 

Thompson lived out his hoop dreams by playing Division I basketball and contributing to a winning program. He also got a chance to participate in the NCAA Tournament. Not many people can say that. 

For Thompson, his life and career has encapsulated the spiritual wisdom of “The Lord never puts more on you than you can bear.” It has proven to be true for the gifted Thompson. 

“A lot has happened to me during my time at UNCG,” Thompson said. “I feel like there is nothing in life that can surprise me anymore. Reflecting on my time at UNCG, I realize how fortunate I was to be a part of a winning program, be coached by two amazing coaching staffs, and have teammates as invested in winning and winning the right way as I am. 

“I would describe my UNCG career as constant growth. From when I came in as a freshman to now, it has been challenging every step of the way. Yet I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Also, the support from fans has been constant and the community has always been behind us. I will be grateful for everything that has happened to me at UNCG and the people I met along the way.”

Thompson will be feted for his career accomplishments and contributions to the UNCG program on Sunday afternoon when UNCG hosts East Tennessee State at 4 p.m. in a game televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. UNCG will recognize Thompson, Kaleb Hunter, Mohammed Abdulsalam, and De’Monte Buckingham before the start of the game.

Thompson recognizes the opportunity to attend a prestigious school isn’t offered to everybody.  

After recovering from a torn medial collateral ligament and redshirting during the 2018-19 season, Thompson has contributed to the Spartan success by helping them in all sorts of subtle, hard to measure ways that appear to violate his personal interests. He has reduced the efficiency of his opponents with his presence, tenacity, and instincts.

Last season as UNCG won 21 games, the SoCon Tournament championship, and battled Florida State in the NCAA Tournament, Thompson played in each game. He scored in double figures four times including a career-best 18 points and eight rebound performance at Coppin State. He also scored 16 points against USC Upstate.

Thompson had five rebounds in the SoCon Tournament title victory against Mercer.

“My favorite memory here has to be winning the SoCon both regular season and tournament last year,” Thompson said. “We had a rocky start, and it was a new challenge, but we learned a lot about our team and that we all had winning DNA. I feel like I’ve grown as a person by just being able to handle all kinds of adversity that can be thrown at me.”

Thompson felt overlooked coming out of Wesleyan Christian Academy despite being an all-conference selection and participating in the Triad All-Star Game. Thompson had to prove himself during UNCG's practices during his first year. 

That helped the chip on his shoulder grow into a boulder. 

“It was rough my first year,” Thompson reflected last preseason. “(Former UNCG head coach Wes) Miller said it was best that I probably redshirt a year. He believed that I could play here. I was getting yelled at and I was always messing up a lot. But as the year went along, I started to pick things up more and get it more. Towards the end of the year, I was feeling comfortable and in a good place.”

During his first year, Thompson’s family made all the difference.

“My family has helped me my being there for me every step of the way,” Thompson said. “Financially, emotionally, being physically at the games and in my life during this time. I don’t know if I would have made it past my first year if I didn’t have my family.” 

This season, Thompson was building off his sophomore season. He scored a season high 14 points against Towson, which is currently ranked in the Mid-Major Top 25. Overall, he scored in double figures three times this season. Thompson finished with a career-best 11 rebounds against Northern Kentucky in an overtime win on the road. 

A political science major, Thompson can depart UNCG knowing he leaves a legacy for his perseverance diligence, and passion. His career plans after UNCG are to either get into coaching or attend law school.

Thompson doesn’t look back with regret on anything that’s happened during his career. After all, it’s part of a bigger plan. He has mementos, moments, and memories that many people could dream about during his basketball journey.

“Advice I would have for a 10-year-old would be to just enjoy basketball and don’t take it for granted,” Thompson said. “Basketball should always be fun first and foremost and just enjoy the people and the process that occurs while playing basketball. 

“Finally, I would like to thank all of my teammates for being there for me and embracing me. Also, thanks to coach Wes, Chris Lepore, coach Jones and this staff for giving me a chance and allowing me to be a part of something special.”

SoCon Tournament

• For information regarding the 2022 Ingles Southern Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships at Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville in Asheville, N.C., which will run from March 3-7, please visit: www.soconhoops.com. If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact the UNCG Ticket Office at 336-334-3250.