Legendary NC State star David Thompson honored with statue

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolina State University honored legendary basketball player David Thompson with a special gift.

The university unveiled a statue of Thompson outside of Reynolds Coliseum on Wednesday.

Thompson, widely regarded as the greatest player in Atlantic Coast Conference history, was a three-time first-team All-American and two-time National Player of the Year,

He is the first student-athlete to have a statue on campus. The statue's base is 44 inches tall, a tribute to the No. 44 he wore and his famous 44-inch vertical leap.

The now 69-year-old Thompson was there for the special moment.

"My mom and dad, they would really be proud of this," Thompson said. "Coming from where we came from and to have a statue, I'm real grateful. Thank you, Jesus."

Thompson, a Shelby native, played three seasons at NC State from 1972-1975. He led the Wolfpack to its first national championship in 1974, helping end UCLA's run of seven consecutive NCAA titles in the process.

In 1973, the Wolfpack was prohibited from participating in the NCAA postseason, but Thompson helped NC State to a 27-0 season.

The "Skywalker" is the only NC State player to have his jersey retired.