Warriors pay Klay Thompson tribute prior to college jersey retirement

Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Bob Myers all give Klay Thompson a special message before he gets his Washington State jersey retired.

With the Warriors currently sit with the worst record in the Western Conference in the 2019-20 season; it’s easy to forget, Golden State took over the NBA over the past five seasons. The Warriors won three-titles and made five straight trips to the NBA Finals, but a league-worst 9-34 record makes their run feel like ages ago.

However, the players that built Golden State’s run at a dynasty are getting recognition for their success in the past. Earlier in the season, Draymond Green got his jersey retired by his college alma mater, Michigan State.

Green isn’t the only member of Golden State’s championship run that will see his jersey pulled into the rafters at his college stomping ground. Washington State University will retire Klay Thompson’s No. 1 jersey when Oregon State rolls into Beasley Coliseum.

With the Warriors scheduled to play the Orlando Magic on Saturday during Thompson’s jersey retirement ceremony, many from the Golden State contingent won’t be able to make the trip to Pullman, outside of Stephen Curry.

Members of the Warriors found time to congratulate Thompson prior to the ceremony in a video tribute via social media.

Curry, along with teammates Green and Zaza Pachulia, all praised Thompson’s jersey retirement achievement. Thompson’s coach, Steve Kerr, and Warriors general manager Bob Myers were both involved in the former Cougar’s special message.

At Washington State, Thompson ranks third in all-time points scored (1,756) and scored the most points in a single season during his junior year (733). The Splash Brother was named First-Team All Pac-10 twice in his tenure in Pullman and became only the second Cougar to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Thompson will join Steve Puidokas (No. 55) as the only two Washington State basketball players to get their jersey numbers retired by the university.