Alexandria basketball recruit Chase Thompson signs with Clemson men's basketball

High Schools

For Alexandria's Chase Thompson, a Clemson men's basketball signee, basketball runs in his DNA Thompson's family is made up of generations of basketball players, including an older brother, father and two grandfathers.

The Minnesota Star Tribune November 13, 2024 at 6:49PMBasketball player Chase Thompson poses for a photo with his grandparents after signing a letter of intent to play at Clemson University during a signing day ceremony at Alexandria Area High School in Alexandria, Minn. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. From left is Bill and Judy French, and Joyce and Richard Thompson. Both of Chase Thompson's grandfathers played basketball. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune) "I definitely learned a lot of life lessons from both my grandparents and then obviously my dad played growing up too," he said. "My brother, he was just a huge role model growing up. He kind of paved the way. I got to see it firsthand, you know, throughout his experience, throughout his recruiting, and then just kind of transferred from him to me, and now I'm here."

"My parents are super supportive. They're at every game, and they go to Treyton's games down in Florida, too," he continued. "Last year, during the state tournament for basketball, they went to my two games, flew to New York, watched his March Madness game, and then flew back that Saturday morning. They're crazy. They travel everywhere, and they love watching me play."

Basketball player Chase Thompson, right, and his father Kyle, left, sign a letter of intent to play at Clemson University during a signing day ceremony at Alexandria Area High School in Alexandria, Minn., on Wednesday. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune) The senior will now pivot all of his attention to football. As one of the most talented quarterbacks in the state , he's leading Alexandria in its quest for the Class 5A state championship. The football team competes in the state semifinals this weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium.

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The Big List: More than 300 Minnesota recruits are set to commit to colleges Football was a surprise for the Thompsons. They're a basketball family.

"Two No. 1 basketball players in one family. That's something," said grandpa Richard Thompson, 79, at the signing ceremony Wednesday.

The height comes Richard Thompson, Chase's grandfather, and Kyle. Both Richard and Kyle played basketball at Glenwood.

about the writer Kim Hyatt Kim Hyatt reports on North Central Minnesota. She previously covered Hennepin County courts.

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