It was already supposed to be a special night for Charlie Thompson.
The senior LSU guard was set to be honored, along with his family, during Senior Night at the Tigers’ game against Ole Miss on Wednesday.
Learning he was going to start the game, well that was just the icing on the cake.
The 6-foot-1 senior guard found out he would be in the starting lineup for his final home game Wednesday afternoon.
“This afternoon at our walkthrough, coach Brady came in and asked me what I thought about it and what the team thought about it,” Thompson said. “It was great. I told coach Brady after the game how much I appreciated him, and the the team as well, for letting me be able to do that.”
As far as Brady was concerned, Thompson had more than earned the right to be on the floor.
“I want everybody to print this,” Brady said in the post-game press conference. “Charlie Thompson is one of the most outstanding young people I have ever been around. There’s not a selfish bone in his body.”
“I love Charlie Thompson to death. He’s one of the finest basketball players to come through this program or any athletic team at LSU. If he ever needs me for anything I’ll be there for him.”
After backing up Torris Bright his freshman and sophomore seasons, Thompson saw his minutes diminish over the next two years with the emergence of players such as Xavier Whipple and Tack Minor.
But no word of complaint ever passed through the lips of the soft-spoken guard from Lake Charles.
“Charlie, to me, is the best teammate I’ve ever had playing basketball,” said sophomore guard Darrel Mitchell. “He never worries about playing. He comes into practice and works hard, and most of the time at practice he guards me, and he makes me work hard, which makes me better.”
The lone senior for the Tigers, Thompson was honored before the game along with his family. He received a standing ovation from the 8,593 fans in the PMAC, many of whom waved the game program bearing his picture.
In his four years at LSU, Thompson has become the fan favorite in the PMAC. When he enters the game he his often greeted with shouts of “Shoot!” every time he touches the ball.
“It’s fun, but at the same time it’s a little tough,” said Thompson of the coaching offered by the fans. “I mean a lot of the time I get in the game it’s not necessarily what I’m in there to do, shoot the ball.
“I appreciate everything the fans have done for me in the last four years, all the support they’ve given me, and I just can’t thank them enough,” Thompson said.
The fans also cannot give thanks enough to Thompson.
“He contributes way more than people give him credit for,” said MBA student Cory Williams who attended Wednesday’s game. “He hustles in practice. He’s a cheerleader just like us. I love it.”
Thompson might not describe himself as a cheerleader, but no one can deny the support he gives to his team. During LSU’s late- game run Thompson was on his feet cheering as Mitchell hit a layup to tie the score. When Mitchell hit a 3-pointer seconds later to give the Tigers the lead, Thompson leaped off the bench arms raised above his head in triumph.
“It was exciting,” said Thompson of LSU’s late rally. “All the runs in all the games that I’ve been a part of since my first year, that was one of the better ones.”
With LSU up 10 points with 1:16 remaining the crowd began chanting for their favorite son. Thompson entered the game with 13.3 seconds left on the clock to chants of “Charlie, Charlie,” and a hug from teammate Tack Minor.
His last shot in the PMAC, a long three at the buzzer, bounced off the rim, but Charlie Thompson, known for being an inspiration and leader on the bench, left the court a player.
LSU’s most beloved No. 10 appropriately summed up his feelings on his final night in the PMAC in 10 words.
“It’s just a heck of a way to go out.”