“I definitely learned a lot of life lessons from both my grandparents and then obviously my dad played growing up too,” he said. “My brother, he was just a huge role model growing up. He kind of paved the way. I got to see it firsthand, you know, throughout his experience, throughout his recruiting, and then just kind of transferred from him to me, and now I’m here.
“My parents are super supportive. They’re at every game, and they go to Treyton’s games down in Florida, too,” he continued. “Last year, during the state tournament for basketball, they went to my two games, flew to New York, watched his March Madness game and then flew back that Saturday morning. They’re crazy. They travel everywhere, and they love watching me play.”
Chase Thompson, right, and his father Kyle, left, sign a letter of intent for Chase to play basketball at Clemson during a ceremony at Alexandria Area High School in Alexandria, Minn., on Wednesday. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The senior will now pivot all of his attention to football. As one of the most talented quarterbacks in the state, he’s leading Alexandria in its quest for the Class 5A championship. The football team competes in the state semifinals this weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Football was a surprise for the Thompsons. They’re a basketball family.
“Two No. 1 basketball players in one family. That’s something,” said grandpa Richard Thompson, 79, at the signing ceremony Wednesday.
The height comes from Richard and Kyle. Both played basketball at Glenwood. Thompson’s other grandpa, Bill French, stood at 6-5 on the court.
