Brooks Thompson has experience.  In a four year NBA career, Thompson experienced the life of an NBA player.  In his tenure with the Orlando Magic from 1994-96, Thompson reached the NBA finals as a rookie and set a franchise record, since broken, for points in a quarter with 21.  After the Magic, Thompson would play for the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks before hanging up the sneakers in 1998. 

Following a career in the NBA, Thompson got into coaching.  Thompson has climbed the ladder of coaching, starting out as head coach at Yavapai College in Prescott Arizona.  While at Yavapai, Thompson won 79 percent of his games which set a Yavapai school record.  Following two years at Yavapai, Thompson became an assistant coach at Arizona State for two years before being hired as the fifth head coach in the history of UTSA basketball. 

What is the best part about being a coach at UTSA?

I think there is alot.  This is a university that is growing imaginatively.  It is a great community to recruit to.  There is so many intangibles to this university, so  much upside that we are so excited about.  This is a great place to be a part of and its only going to get better. 

When did you decide to become a coach?

When I was a high school athlete going through the recruiting process and seeing the coaches coming in.  I thought what a great profession to be able to go out and let young men experience your university. 

When not coaching, Coach Thompson is____?

Restless.

If you couldn‘t be a coach, what profession would you have chosen?

In college I majored in broadcast journalism but got my degree in political science.  I knew in high school I knew I wanted to be a college basketball coach but if there was something else I was interested in, it was broadcast journalism.

Where is the best place you have ever visited, as a coach, player or just to visit?

The best place I have ever visited is Sydney but I would consider San Antonio one of the best places to [live].

What is your favorite moment in sports that you were a part of?

Beating the Chicago Bulls in the 1994-95 Eastern Conference Finals to go to the finals against the Houston Rockets.  I wish I had that ring but the Rockets deserved to win.