I still remember the first time I saw Collins Thompson play during those FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers back in November 2024. There was something electric about the way he moved on the court, especially when he debuted those ST3 Glory sneakers that would later become his signature. I've been covering basketball for over fifteen years now, and I can count on one hand the number of players who made me sit up and pay attention from their very first international appearance. Thompson wasn't just playing basketball that day against New Zealand - he was conducting a masterclass in modern basketball fundamentals while somehow making it look effortless. The way he controlled the tempo, his defensive positioning, and that explosive first step that left defenders stumbling - it was all there from the beginning.
What struck me most during that tournament was how Thompson seemed to thrive under pressure. In the crucial match against Hong Kong, with the Philippines' Asia Cup qualification on the line, he put up what I consider one of the most complete performances I've seen from a young player in recent memory. The numbers were impressive enough - 28 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists - but they don't capture how he completely dictated the flow of the game. I remember watching him sink three consecutive three-pointers during the fourth quarter, each shot more confident than the last, and thinking this kid was destined for something special. His performance directly contributed to securing the Philippines' spot in the Asia Cup proper in Saudi Arabia, and honestly, I haven't seen a more dominant display in international qualifiers since.
The transition to the NBA was smoother than anyone anticipated, which says a lot about Thompson's adaptability. Most players need at least a season to adjust to the pace and physicality of the NBA, but Thompson was making significant contributions from day one. I've had the privilege of speaking with several coaches who've worked with him, and they all mention the same thing - his basketball IQ is off the charts for someone his age. He reads defenses like a veteran point guard, understands spacing better than most big men, and has this uncanny ability to make the right play at the right time. It's not just about his physical gifts, though he certainly has those in abundance with his 6'8" frame and explosive athleticism.
Let's talk about his development because that's where Thompson really separates himself from other prospects. Over his first two NBA seasons, he improved his three-point percentage from 34.7% to 41.2%, which is one of the most significant shooting improvements I've tracked in recent years. His defensive rating improved from 112.3 to 104.8, placing him among the top perimeter defenders in the league. These aren't just incremental improvements - they're quantum leaps that demonstrate his work ethic and capacity for growth. I've watched countless hours of game tape on Thompson, and what fascinates me is how he identifies weaknesses in his game and systematically addresses them each offseason. After his rookie year, he clearly worked on his handle and playmaking, and last summer he dedicated himself to improving his post game and mid-range shooting.
The business side of Thompson's rise has been equally impressive. Those ST3 Glory sneakers he first wore during the FIBA qualifiers have become one of the top-selling basketball shoes globally, with sales exceeding 2.3 million pairs in their first year alone. I've never seen a player's signature shoe take off so quickly, but it speaks to his marketability and connection with fans. His social media following grew from 850,000 to over 7.2 million in just eighteen months, and brand partnerships with major companies have made him one of the highest-earning athletes off the court. What's remarkable is how he's managed to balance these commercial commitments without letting his on-court performance suffer - if anything, he's gotten better.
Looking ahead, I'm genuinely excited to see how high Thompson's ceiling really is. At 24 years old, he's already an All-Star, but I believe he has MVP potential written all over him. His game should age beautifully as he continues to develop his skills and basketball intelligence. The way the league is evolving towards positionless basketball plays perfectly into his versatile skill set. I wouldn't be surprised to see him lead the league in scoring within the next three seasons, and defensively, he has all the tools to make multiple All-Defensive teams. The key will be maintaining that hunger and work ethic that got him here in the first place.
If I had to identify areas for improvement, I'd like to see him become more vocal on the court and develop into more of a leader. Great players make themselves better, but legendary players make everyone around them better. Thompson has shown flashes of this leadership quality, particularly during clutch moments, but cultivating that consistently could elevate him from star to superstar status. Also, while his playmaking has improved, there's room to grow in terms of reading double teams and making quicker decisions out of traps.
What often gets overlooked in discussions about Thompson is his mental toughness. I've watched him play through injuries, bounce back from poor shooting nights, and maintain composure in high-pressure situations. During last season's playoffs, he played through a nagging ankle sprain that would have sidelined most players, yet he still averaged 31.2 points per game in the conference semifinals. That kind of resilience is what separates good players from great ones. It's the same mentality he displayed during those FIBA qualifiers back in 2024 when the pressure was on and he delivered for his country.
The future looks incredibly bright for Collins Thompson. Barring significant injuries, which have derailed many promising careers, I believe he has the potential to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when it's all said and done. His combination of size, skill, basketball intelligence, and work ethic is rare, and he's proven he can perform on the biggest stages. The NBA is in good hands with talents like Thompson leading the way, and I feel fortunate to have witnessed his journey from those early international games to becoming one of the faces of the league. Whatever comes next, I'll be watching with great interest, probably in my own pair of ST3 Glory sneakers that I bought after seeing him dominate in them during that memorable FIBA tournament.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
