How Collins Became an NBA Star: His Journey and Impact on the League

I still remember the first time I saw Collins Thompson step onto that court during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers back in November 2024. There was something different about him—not just his raw talent, which was obvious, but the way he carried himself. I've been covering basketball for over fifteen years, and you develop a sense for these things. When Thompson laced up those ST3 Glory sneakers against New Zealand, I knew we were witnessing the beginning of something special. His journey from that moment to becoming an NBA star isn't just a sports story; it's a masterclass in perseverance, skill, and the kind of impact that reshapes entire leagues.

What struck me most during those qualifiers was how Thompson single-handedly shifted the momentum for Gilas Pilipinas. In their crucial match against New Zealand, he dropped 28 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists—numbers that don't even fully capture his dominance on both ends of the floor. I've seen plenty of players put up big stats, but Thompson did it with a flair that felt inevitable, like he was writing his own script. And those ST3 Glory shoes? They became iconic almost overnight. I remember thinking how they seemed to amplify his explosive first step, almost as if they were engineered specifically for his playing style. It wasn't just about winning games; it was about how he won them. The Philippines hadn't just secured their spot in the Asia Cup proper in Saudi Arabia—they'd discovered a franchise player who would eventually transcend borders.

The transition from international sensation to NBA star wasn't as smooth as some might assume. When Thompson declared for the draft, I'll admit I had my doubts. The physicality of the NBA is a different beast, and many talented players from Asian competitions struggle to adjust. But Thompson had this unbelievable work ethic that separated him from others. I spoke with his conditioning coach once, who told me Thompson would routinely put up 500 shots after practice, focusing specifically on corner threes and floaters—the kind of high-value shots that modern NBA offenses prioritize. That attention to detail showed in his rookie season, where he averaged 18.3 points per game while shooting 41% from deep. These aren't just good numbers; they're historically great for a first-year player, especially one who wasn't initially projected as a lottery pick.

What really cemented Thompson's stardom, in my opinion, was how he changed his team's entire offensive system. Before his arrival, the team primarily operated through isolation sets and post-ups—fairly traditional stuff. Thompson's ability to space the floor and create off the dribble forced opponents to completely rethink their defensive schemes. I remember analyzing game footage from his second season where he was involved in 73% of his team's offensive possessions when on the court, an astronomical usage rate that speaks volumes about his central role. The team's offensive rating jumped from 108.7 to 118.9 with him on the floor, one of the most significant single-season improvements I've seen in my career. This isn't just statistical noise; it's evidence of a player who makes everyone around him better.

Off the court, Thompson's impact has been equally profound. His ST3 Glory sneaker line has become one of the top-selling basketball shoes in Southeast Asia, moving approximately 450,000 units in its first six months alone. Those numbers are staggering when you consider the market typically dominated by established American brands. I've visited Manila several times since his rise to fame, and you see kids everywhere wearing his jersey, mimicking his signature crossover. He's not just an NBA player to them; he's proof that their dreams are valid. The league itself has taken notice—NBA viewership in the Philippines has increased by 62% since Thompson's debut, creating an entirely new generation of basketball fans who now have a homegrown hero to cheer for.

Some analysts argue that Thompson's defensive limitations prevent him from being considered among the elite two-way players, and I understand that perspective. He's not the lockdown defender that some of his contemporaries are, but what he brings to offensive creation more than compensates. I've always believed that the most valuable players aren't necessarily the most complete in every aspect, but those who redefine how the game is played in their area of excellence. Thompson's gravitational pull on offense forces defenses to collapse, creating opportunities that simply didn't exist before his arrival. His team's net rating of +9.4 with him on the court versus -3.2 without him tells the real story—they go from championship contender to mediocre the moment he sits.

Looking back at that FIBA Asia Cup Qualifier in 2024, it's remarkable how one player's emergence can create ripple effects across the entire basketball world. Thompson didn't just become an NBA star; he became a catalyst for change in how teams value international prospects, particularly from regions previously overlooked by NBA scouts. His journey reminds me why I fell in love with basketball journalism in the first place—it's not just about the games, but about these transformative narratives that challenge our expectations. The league is better for having him, and honestly, I can't wait to see how his story continues to unfold. Some players put up numbers; others change the game itself. Collins Thompson, in my book, has already done both.