Billy Thompson

Forward, #55

• Born Dec. 1, 1963
• Attended Louisville
• Coached by Pat Riley

When the Lakers won the NBA title in 1987, it put Thompson in select company as one of only four players to play on an NBA champion the season after playing on an NCAA Division I champion. The others: Bill Russell (San Francisco, 1956; Boston Celtics, 1957), Henry Bibby (UCLA, 1972; New York Knicks, 1973), Earvin "Magic" Johnson (Michigan State, 1979; Lakers, 1980) and Thompson.

Thompson had his best season as a Laker in 1986-87, averaging nearly six points and three rebounds per game as a reserve. His role and playing time were drastically cut the next season as the Lakers won their second consecutive championship.

After that season, Thompson was selected by the Miami Heat in the expansion draft.