David Thompson

Gravity seemed optional whenever David Thompson took flight. With a 48-inch vertical, the “Skywalker” from NC State turned basketball into a midair exhibition, previewing the athletic future fans now take for granted. He arrived in Denver with NCAA championship credentials and promptly delivered four All-Star selections, punctuated by a legendary dunk over 7-foot-4 Mark Eaton. Thompson’s 73-point eruption against Detroit ranks among the game’s greatest single nights, proof that elite athleticism paired with scoring instinct can create moments of pure spectacle. His soaring duels with Julius Erving defined an era when the sport shifted from ground-bound play to an aerial showcase, and his Carolina roots left a specific imprint on a certain future No. 23 who would later be hailed as the greatest of all time. A Hall of Famer and pioneer of modern dunking, Thompson electrified crowds with 37 points and six rebounds in this classic performance.

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