Klay Thompson set for Phl visit

Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson is coming to the Philippines. The Golden State Warriors five-time All-Star will be in the country from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1, primarily to attend the national finals of global sports brand Anta’s “Shock The Game” tournament, which will be played on a specially-constructed full court inside SM Megamall. This will be Thompson’s first visit to the country. This was revealed by Anta Philippines marketing manager Mikko Abello at the opening of the tournament’s second leg at the Epsilon Chi Center Sunday morning.

“Do your best, because the top teams will get to play in the first Shock The Game national championship, in front of Klay Thompson,” Abello revealed. “We’re very excited to have our NBA  endorser visit the country and meet all of you.”

Thompson, the 11th overall pick by the Warriors in 2011, is the son of two-time NBA champion and 1978 top draft pick Mychal Thompson. Klay and guard Steph Curry earned the nickname “The Splash Brothers” after thrice setting the league record for most combined three-point shots made for three consecutive years beginning in 2014. In 2015, the 6’6” swingman helped lead Golden State to its first NBA title in 40 years. They also won back-to-back championships two years later. In 2016, Klay won the NBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Shootout, cementing his status as one of the greatest shooters in the history of the game.

In Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Thompson tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, consequently missing the entire 2019-2020 season. During that time he tore his right Achilles tendon, missing a total of 31 months of action. Recovering spectacularly, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist helped the Warriors win a fourth title in eight years in 2022. He has career averages of 20 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and set a new career-high in three-pointers made last season.

Thompson’s latest signature shoe from Anta, the KT8, is one of the most popular basketball shoes in the country not only among players, but even among collectors because of its varied and colorful designs. Some special editions of the shoe even come with custom-made action figures of Thompson. He will also conduct special clinics with collegiate players during his short visit.

Succeeding legs of the Shock The Game tournament will be held at Gen. Trias Sports Complex on July 2, San Sebastian College Pampanga on July 16, San Beda Manila on Aug. 5, Adamson University of Aug. 13, San Beda Alabang on Aug. 20, and Enderun Colleges on Aug. 27. The tournament also serves as the culmination of Anta Varsity Project, which supports the athletic programs of several top colleges and universities such as San Beda University, College of St. Benilde, Adamson University, UP Integrated School, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and University of St. La Salle-Bacolod. The top two teams of each leg will play in the national finals.