John Thompson was a legendary basketball coach and player. He was born in Washington, D.C. and attended Archbishop Carroll High School, where he was an All-Metropolitan selection in basketball. He then attended Providence College, where he was an All-American basketball player and was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the third round of the 1964 NBA Draft.

Thompson was a successful coach at Georgetown University, where he led the Hoyas to three Final Fours and a National Championship in 1984. He was the first African-American coach to win a major college basketball championship. He was also the first African-American coach to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Thompson was known for his intense coaching style and his commitment to his players. He was a disciplinarian who demanded excellence from his players both on and off the court. He was also known for his commitment to social justice and his willingness to speak out against racism and injustice.

Thompson was a pioneer in college basketball and his legacy lives on today. He was a mentor to many of the great coaches of today, including Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, and Roy Williams. He was a leader in the fight for social justice and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of basketball players and coaches.

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