The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Thompson selected No. 4 in NBA Draft by Cleveland
06.23.2011 | Men's Basketball
June 23, 2011
Tristan Thompson final collegiate bio 
NEWARK, N.J. -- Former University of Texas basketball standout Tristan Thompson was selected as the No. 4 pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft on Thursday evening at Prudential Center. Thompson becomes the third-highest draft pick in UT history, trailing only LaMarcus Aldridge (No. 2 pick in 2006) and Kevin Durant (No. 2 pick in 2007).
Thompson is the eighth first-round selection in the Rick Barnes era (since 1999), joining Chris Mihm (2000), T.J. Ford (2003), LaMarcus Aldridge (2006), Kevin Durant (2007), D.J. Augustin (2008), Avery Bradley (2010) and Damion James (2010). He also is the 14th Texas player to be drafted in the last 13 years.
Thompson played in all 36 games (34 starts) during his one year with the Longhorns and was one of five finalists for the Wayman Tisdale Award (USBWA National Freshman of the Year). He also earned USBWA Freshman All-America First Team and Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year accolades.
Thompson led the Horns in rebounding (7.8 rpg), blocked shots (86), double-doubles (10) and field goal percentage (.546) and ranked second in scoring (13.1 ppg). His 86 blocks ranked fourth on the school single-season list and were the second-highest total by a UT freshman (record is 90 by Chris Mihm in 1997-98). Thompson reached double figures in scoring in 28 of UT's 36 contests last year.
"We're very excited for Tristan and his family," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "I'm not sure we've seen a player improve so quickly once he came to campus last June. I often tell people jokingly that Tristan improved too much, as our staff would have loved the opportunity to coach Tristan for several more years. The exciting thing is Tristan is truly just getting started in his development. Tristan is a wonderful person and Cleveland is getting a special individual who will work hard every day, both on the court and in the community."
Thompson is the 12th player in UT history to be selected in the first round and the 39th player overall since the NBA Draft began in 1947.