Sharon Thompson (2021) - Hall of Fame

Sharon Thompson

Induction:
2021
Class:
1998

Sharon Thompson, a three-time All-SEC honoree, played basketball for the Bulldogs from 1994-1998. Thompson, an SEC All-Freshman pick, had an outstanding career with the Mississippi State women's basketball program. As a junior, she claimed second-team, all-league honors. As a senior, Thompson was an All-SEC first team member. She posted her career-best scoring average of 16.8 points per contest during her senior year. Thompson finished her career with the Bulldogs 23 years ago, and was State's No. 2 scorer at the time. Even after all these years, she continues to rank among the Bulldogs' Top 10 career leaders in scoring (1,526), rebounding (936), field goals (566), and free throws (366). She averaged 14.3 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game during her long 107-game Mississippi State basketball career.

After a successful career as a four-year starter for the Bulldogs, Thompson finished as one of the best players in program history, ending her time at MSU ranked first in rebounds (936), blocked shots (86) and double-doubles as well as being second in scoring (1,526). The two-time All-SEC honoree earned first team recognition as a senior after posting 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game during the 1997-98 campaign.

The Geiger, Alabama, native still stands as one of the best rebounders in MSU history, ranking fifth in total rebounds and rebounds per game (8.7). Thompson led the Bulldogs in boards all four years, and she was tabbed to the SEC All-Freshman Team after recording 12.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game during the 1994-95 campaign. That rebounding average ranks ninth for a single season in program history and is second among MSU freshman.

Thompson also established herself as an elite shot blocker, pacing the Bulldogs in the category during three of her years. Her 86 career blocks rank seventh all time at State.

An SEC Great selection in 2005, Thompson became the first Mississippi State women's basketball player to be drafted professionally, being taken sixth overall in the 1998 ABL draft.