Texas Basketball: 5 best former Longhorns in the NBA

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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 03: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Power Forward. Years with Texas: 2010-11. Tristan Thompson. 4. player. Pick Analysis. 156. Scouting Report

Some might argue with this placement of Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson. However, Thompson provides more value to a team that has gone to the NBA Finals for three straight seasons than most other Texas alumni currently in The Association.

The stat line that Thompson posted over the past three or four seasons doesn’t matchup with really any premier scorer in the NBA. But, he does rebound offensively with the very best forwards and centers out there.

By his usual standards, the scoring numbers were down for Thompson last season. He averaged less than six points per game while his career average usually keeps him around nine or 10 points per game. Thompson also had some issues staying healthy since he played in just over 50 games and only started 22 last season.

His talent level still keeps Thompson in the top five former Horns on this list. He still averaged more than six rebounds per game, and his career average tends to keep him around nine rebounds per game. Hitting the offensive glass and defending the lane are still the calling cards for Thompson. Expect a bounce back season for him in 2018-19.

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