The Brampton, Ont., native confirmed his retirement during an appearance on the Khloe in Wonder Land podcast, hosted by former partner and media personality Khloe Kardashian.
When asked about plans for his post-playing career, Thompson, 35, said, “Honestly, it’s been great. I always tell people it feels like I’m a rookie again.”
His NBA career ends after 14 years split between five teams. Thompson was drafted fourth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011, which at the time was the highest a Canadian had been selected (until the Cavs took Anthony Bennett first overall in 2013, followed by Andrew Wiggins in 2014). Thompson went on to make the 2011-12 All-Rookie team with averages of 8.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
Thompson spent his first 11 NBA seasons with the Cavaliers, before a one-year stint with the Boston Celtics and then splitting the 2021-22 campaign between the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls. Thompson went unsigned for the 2022-23 regular season but ended up signing with the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoffs and made six appearances. The forward would then wrap up his career back in Cleveland for two seasons (2023-25). For his career, Thompson averaged 8.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists through 819 regular-season games.
Thompson was also a member of the Cavaliers’ 2016 championship team, starting all 21 playoff games.
Thompson represented Canada throughout his playing days, wearing the red and white for 26 games through six years. He was a member of Canada Basketball’s U18 bronze-medal team at the FIBA Americas championship in 2008. As a member of the senior men’s national team, Thompson competed during the 2016 Olympic qualifying tournament and 2018 FIBA world cup qualifying tournament.