Julian Thompson calls himself “Unc,” as in uncle. As in, ahem, the elder statesman of the locker room.
“I figured I’d get that out of the way and beat them all to it,” the Westmoreland County Community College basketball player said with a laugh. “I knew they’d want to call me that. When I first got here, they’re like, ‘Who’s this old guy?’”
The top junior college rebounder in the nation hears the little digs from opponents.
“You’re older than our coach,” Thompson recalls a foe saying before a game. “Are you really 30? No, I said to him. I’m actually 32.”
Thompson knew there would be an adjustment playing with the “youngins” when he came back for his second year of college basketball — 12 years after the first one.
“We’re on the bus and I see them all on their phones,” Thompson said of his teammates. “I’m like, can’t we just talk to each other? They’re all playing games on their phones. A lot has changed.”
A freshman in 2013 is now a sophomore in 2026. Junior college players get two years of eligibility, and Thompson plans to leave WCCC with an associate’s degree in cyber security and basketball fulfillment.
Talk about a rebound. What a story he can tell about how he came back to finish what he started.
The modern day “Uncle Drew” is primed to graduate in May. If this is his final year of organized basketball, consider this season his love letter to the game.
“I will play until that pounding in my chest stops,” he said, tapping the left-chest logo on his green Nike hoodie. “I’ll play on cement, I don’t care. Just to get shots up and hear that swish, that’s everything.”
A three-sport standout at Greensburg Salem — he also ran track and played football — Thompson is averaging a remarkable 18.9 points and 13.5 rebounds a game for the Wolfpack (6-16), who have two games remaining.
His rebounding average leads the National Junior College Athletic Association. He has scored 20 or more points five times.
He (still) got game
Thompson is still a 6-foot-6 high-riser who can rip down rebounds with the best in the nation.
“I lobbed one up to him way too high, and he still went up and got it (for a dunk),” said sophomore guard Ryan Burkart, a Greensburg Salem grad. “He makes us better players because he has played so much.”
Thompson said he continues to learn about the game as he rings out the remaining time of his playing career.
“Jules is here to finish what he started,” WCCC coach Scott Morrison said. “When you’re 18, you think you have forever. When you’re 32, you don’t get that back. He’s out there giving his max effort.”
Thompson, a father of three with another child on the way, is a true veteran. A 32-year-old forward playing with a bunch of 20-somethings — and completely standing out, not because of his age or extra recovery time, but because of his vintage athleticism.
“Growth doesn’t have an expiration date,” Morrison said.
Thompson can still jump out of the gym — windmill dunks are never out of the question — and he plays nearly 40 minutes a game. That does come with a price, though, as one might expect.
He drags his aching body to work at Longhorn Steakhouse in Greensburg, sometimes going directly after games.
“We had to pull over (after a game) because he had to throw up,” said Aislinn Mull, Thompson’s 20-year-old girlfriend who also attends WCCC. “He really pushes himself.”
Said Thompson: “Diving for loose balls … well, that doesn’t always happen,” he said. “My knees.”
A twisting path
Thompson went from cooking steaks to making sure they are served in a timely manner. Supervising the kitchen staff is kind of like going to practice: Younger people are moving parts in a large machine.
“You’re valued, even if you’re putting lettuce in a bowl,” Thompson said. “Be the best at what you do, even if it’s washing dishes.”
Coming out of high school, Thompson had an offer to run track at Robert Morris. He was a high- and triple-jumper who twice made it to the PIAA meet.
“Track was just something I did to stay in shape for basketball,” he said. “It wasn’t that fun. I wanted to hoop.”
Questionable grades scared some college basketball coaches away, so Thompson matriculated to Youngwood — a steal for WCCC at the time. Who knew the program would steal him a second time?
“I was in the gym (last year) and Julian came in and we started talking,” Morrison said. “Our assistant, Marvel McGowan, had told me Jules was enrolled. I had no idea he would still be this good.
“He is driven to reach his goals. He meets the same standards as all the players. He bridges that gap.”
His first go-round at WCCC was cut short by a jarring event. His best friend, Quincy Jackson, an upstanding, airman first class in the Air Force, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2012 in Okinawa, Japan.
“I couldn’t believe it when I got the call,” Thompson said. “Everything just went out of me.”
Thompson left school after only a few games and worked odd jobs — from UPS to Applebee’s — all the while playing in pick-up leagues and eventually landing an opportunity to play in the American Basketball Association and Midwest Basketball League. He had stints with the West Virginia Wildcats and Northern Indiana Monarchs.
“My dad told me, ‘Don’t let basketball use you,’” he said. “Use basketball to get to where you want to go. Get something out of it.”
Later, he was drafted by the DFW Power in the ABA Gold league.
He once scored 52 points in a game.
Thompson bounced around summer pro-am leagues, including the DREAM Pro-Am playing against pro and college standouts, before life tracked him down. Having a family means making a living.
“I kept playing wherever I could,” he said. “I thought, when I turn 30, I’ll go back to school. I was debating it. I had to catch up (on credits) to play (basketball), so I was going to classes in the fall and summer while I was working. I wanted to better my life, my kids’ lives.”
His children are Brad (9), Zephaniah (7) and Layla (6).
He also strives to make his mother proud. She is battling cancer.
“They gave her three weeks to live,” he said. “She is still with us.”
Longtime Greensburg Salem coach Paul Sapotichne was impressed with Thompson’s athletcism.
“He was a good athlete with size and shooting ability,” Sapotichne said. “He could score the basketball.
“It is very impressive what he is doing (now). I always thought he could have been a great player.”
Back to school
Enrolling a second time alongside Mull, who was pursuing a nursing degree, was life changing for Thompson.
He took the long way around, but he arrived at the same place that beckoned over a decade ago.
Basketball, like it always has been, was a bonus.
“If it wasn’t for coach (Morrison), I don’t know if I’d still be playing,” Thompson said. “I had to ask myself, how do you want to change your stars? I couldn’t have done it without (Mull), either. She’s been right here by my side.
“I am proud. Happy. Amazed. All of it. I never thought I’d make it this far.”
WCCC is a two-year program for basketball players, who often transfer to higher levels after junior college development.
Thompson will soon wrap up his WCCA career. But is he done playing altogether?
Pitt-Bradford and Thiel have inquired about him. Really. They like his game.
“They want him,” Morrison said. “They can’t believe how he jumps and moves.”
After all, Thompson has two years of eligibility remaining, not counting a redshirt year.
“I’m throwing my shoes over the wires (at WCCC),” Thompson said. “After that, we’ll see what happens.”
It takes a lot to get Thompson to say “Uncle.”