Hall of Fame
John Ashworth “Cat” Thompson was born in St. George, but lived in LaVerkin. He gained his first recognition as a member of the Dixie High consolation winners in the National High School Basketball Tournament in Chicago, Illinois. The first game of the tournament was the first time he had ever played indoors on a wood floor. He got the name “Cat” from his quickness in stealing the ball from opponents.
After attending Dixie College in 1925-26, he went on to play at Montana State. He was named to the All-America team each year while at Montana State, including being named College Player of the Year in 1929 as he led the Bobcats to the National Championship.
After his graduation Thompson played semi-pro ball in California for a year and then coached high school basketball in Montana and Idaho. He was enshrined in the Helms Athletic Hall of Fame and named “Best Player of the First Half-Century.” He was one of the first players inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
