Klay Thompson credits UConn head coach Geno Auriemma for inspiring record-setting performance
After going off for 12 3-pointers and 42 points in the Golden State Warriors’ 116-101 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday, star guard Klay Thompson credited Geno Auriemma for inspiring his performance.
Earlier that day, Thompson saw an Instagram reel where the UConn women’s basketball head coach discussed the importance of his players’ body language. In that clip from the 2016 Final Four, Auriemma said how he might not let players into a game if they don’t show great body language and keeps an eye out for that and whether they’re being good teammates while watching film.
“That resonated with me a lot,” Thompson said. “This year I would be in my own feelings ‘cause I wasn’t shooting the ball well or I didn’t feel like myself. After hearing that, you know, Geno’s been around so much greatness, it just reminded myself to be a leader. I’ve been here so long, I gotta lead, I gotta use my voice. And it was a great challenge for me tonight, I thought I took a good step.”
With his 12 3-pointers in the win, becoming the first player in NBA history to make that many triples in multiple games in a single season.
Auriemma was asked about Thompson following the No. 4 Huskies’ 72-69 win at DePaul on Saturday afternoon. He said the pair got a chance to be around one another at the 2016 Olympics, when Auriemma was coaching the United States women’s national team and Thompson was on the men’s national team.
“He doesn’t say much, he’s right about that,” Auriemma said. “He’s very quiet, just goes about his job. He knows exactly who he is exactly how good he is and what he’s good at, and he just does that better than anybody. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have it in you. Just because you’re not like that doesn’t mean you don’t have it in you.
“I think sometimes circumstances bring that out of you. You look around your team and you go, ‘Hey, we’re used to winning and I want to keep winning and I might have to do things differently than I’ve done before.’ And that’s how people grow up.He seems like a thoughtful, conscientious guy who I’m sure he’s a great teammate.”
In signature Auriemma fashion, he also threw a joke in about Thompson’s comments.
“If you would come to some of my practices, you would see that I probably had a bigger influence on Klay Thompson this year than half of my players,” Auriemma said. “I don’t think any of them have ever said I’ve been inspired by Coach Auriemma and what he’s been saying to me all year long. Somehow I don’t think those words would come out of their mouths. But certainly I appreciate that. It’s kind of flattering. I’ve always rooted for them anyway — except when they play the Celtics.”
