The Athletic Blueprint: 7 Shocking Facts About Klay Thompson's Parents, Mychal And Julie Thompson, After His Mavericks Move

The Thompson family remains one of the most prominent dynasties in professional sports, and as of December 10, 2025, the spotlight has shifted dramatically following Klay Thompson's high-profile move from the Golden State Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks. This seismic shift has brought his legendary parents, Mychal and Julie Thompson, back into the news cycle, particularly Mychal, whose candid, "brutally honest" reactions to his son's decision have made headlines across the NBA world. Their story is not just one of athletic excellence, but of a carefully cultivated legacy that spans multiple professional sports and a deep commitment to philanthropy.

Far from being mere spectators, Klay Thompson’s mother and father are sports icons in their own right, having laid the foundational blueprint for their son’s Hall of Fame-caliber career. From Mychal’s history-making NBA tenure and his current role as a Los Angeles Lakers broadcaster to Julie’s dominance as a collegiate volleyball star, their combined athletic DNA is the source of the "Splash Brother's" unparalleled talent. Understanding their individual careers and their collective influence provides the deepest insight into the man who is now one of the Dallas Mavericks' newest stars.

The Athletic Dynasty: Mychal and Julie Thompson's Complete Biographies

The Thompson family’s athletic success is deeply rooted in the careers of Klay’s parents, Mychal and Julie. Their biographies highlight a rare combination of elite-level achievement and a commitment to family that transcended their professional lives.

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Mychal Thompson (Father) - The NBA Pioneer

• Full Name: Mychal George Thompson
• Date of Birth: January 30, 1955
• Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas
• NBA Career Highlights: Mychal Thompson was the first overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, selected by the Portland Trail Blazers. He played 14 seasons in the NBA.
• Championships: He is a two-time NBA Champion, winning back-to-back titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987 and 1988 as a key member of the legendary "Showtime" era.
• Current Role: After retiring, Mychal transitioned into broadcasting and currently serves as the radio color commentator for the Los Angeles Lakers, a role that keeps him intimately connected to the NBA.
• Noteworthy: He is the first foreign-born player to be drafted first overall in the NBA.

Julie Thompson (Mother) - The Collegiate Star

• Maiden Name: Julie Leslie
• College Career: Julie was a highly decorated athlete who played collegiate volleyball. She began her career at the University of Oregon before transferring to the University of San Francisco (USF).
• Achievements: At USF, she was a dominant force as an outside hitter, earning the prestigious honor of being named a two-time NCAA All-American. She also helped her teams secure multiple conference championships.
• Professional Life: After her athletic career, Julie earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
• Family Role: She is often credited with providing the stability and structure that allowed her sons to thrive in their athletic pursuits without feeling undue pressure.

Mychal and Julie married in 1987 and are the proud parents of three professional athletes: Mychel (former NBA G League player), Klay (NBA star), and Trayce (MLB outfielder).

The Fresh Drama: Mychal's Honest Reaction to Klay's Mavericks Move

The biggest and most current story surrounding the Thompson parents is the public reaction to Klay Thompson's free-agency decision in the summer of 2025. After a storied, championship-filled tenure with the Golden State Warriors, Klay signed with the Dallas Mavericks.

Mychal Thompson's Public Disappointment

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As the Lakers' radio color commentator and a beloved former player for the franchise, Mychal made no secret of his desire for Klay to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

• He gave a "brutally honest" statement about the situation, expressing his disappointment that Klay chose the Mavericks over the Lakers.
• Mychal acknowledged that he had advised his son to consider the Lakers, but ultimately respected Klay's decision to "forge his own path" with the Mavericks.
• This public, yet loving, disagreement highlighted the unique dynamic between a father who is a legend for one team and a son who is creating his own legacy on a rival team.

This candid commentary from Mychal is a testament to the family's transparency and the deep-seated rivalry between the NBA's Western Conference powerhouses. It provides a fresh, current-day context to the Thompson family narrative, proving that even a father's hope for a family reunion on the court takes a backseat to a son's professional choice.

More Than Basketball: The Thompson Family Foundation and Legacy

The Thompson family's influence extends well beyond the basketball court and baseball diamond. Mychal, Julie, and their three sons—Mychel, Klay, and Trayce—are all co-founders of the Thompson Family Foundation.

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A Mission Focused on Youth

The foundation’s core mission is to enrich the lives of youth in the United States and the Bahamas through a dual focus on fitness and education.

• The choice of the Bahamas is significant, as Mychal Thompson is a native of the country, making their philanthropic efforts a direct way to give back to his homeland.
• The foundation emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and academic achievement, mirroring the values Mychal and Julie instilled in their own children.
• Their work supports various initiatives, including grants for education, health, and human services in several U.S. cities.

The Brotherhood of Athletes

The Thompson household is a rare example of a family producing three professional athletes across two major sports:

• Mychel Thompson: The eldest son, Mychel, also played professional basketball, primarily in the NBA G League, and has been a fixture in the Warriors organization.
• Trayce Thompson: The youngest son, Trayce, is a professional baseball player, an outfielder who has played for several MLB teams, demonstrating the family's diverse athletic talent.

This collective success is a powerful testament to the supportive and non-pressuring environment created by Mychal and Julie. Klay himself has often spoken about how his parents had a huge impact on his career, but never forced him or his brothers to follow in their footsteps, allowing them the freedom to develop their own unique paths.

The Thompson parents, Mychal and Julie, represent the ultimate athletic success story, not just for their own achievements, but for the dynasty they built. Their legacy is a blend of NBA championships, collegiate dominance, and a commitment to using their platform for good. As Klay Thompson begins a new chapter with the Dallas Mavericks, his parents remain his most vocal, and sometimes most critical, supporters, ensuring the Thompson name remains central to the world of elite sports.