“He is a legend who we will deeply miss having on the sidelines as well as his daily impact in the league, the sport and college athletics.” Just like these wonderful words by ACC commissioner Jim Phillips, other tributes have already started pouring in to honor Tony Bennett. After spending 25 years coaching college basketball teams, 15 of which were devoted solely to the Virginia Cavaliers, the 55-year-old has now announced his intention to retire from the role. While sources have revealed that the decision was made due to a non-health-related reason, its sudden nature has reportedly left many surprised.

Even the NBA world has taken up to honor the HC’s legacy, as made evident by Klay Thompson’s recent post. In the aftermath of the Dallas Mavericks’ recent matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, fans saw the 34-year-old shooting guard/small forward took to social media. However, instead of celebrating his franchise’s first preseason win, Thompson highlighted a throwback picture of Tony Bennett, with his fist raised while walking across the court. The now Mavericks star also wrote a caption that read “Thank you for everything Tony. One of the greatest coaches I have ever played for and the reason I went to Wazzu. A true legend of the game, enjoy retirement my friend.”

Prior to beginning his long stint with the Cavaliers, Bennett spent three years with Washington State. With the team’s star player Kyle Weaver having been drafted to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008, the coach needed a replacement who could replicate his prowess, or go beyond it. As destiny would have it, Bennett found Klay Thompson, a then graduate of the Santa Margarita Catholic High School who had won numerous accolades during the state championship, including Division III State Player of the Year, and League MVP.

In an interview with 2003 NBA champion Stephen Jackson, Thompson revealed that Washington State was not his first choice, as he was more attracted toward UCLA due to its alumni roster that even included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. However, neither UCLA nor USC considered him good enough to give him the scholarship. At a time when it felt that all doors were closing on him, the call from Tony Bennett came.

“Wazzu came off a great year. They made the tourney. I went up and visited, and to see those players get the love from the city, I was like ‘Wow, y’all really celebrities up here.’ And the coach was amazing too,” said Thompson. “At the time, Tony Bennett, I would just shoot with him, and he played in the league, and I was like, ‘You really made the league, bro? You’re a 5’11” little white guy and you can get to the league, and you promise I can get there?’ Oh, I’m here.”

Starting off as a freshman, Thompson revealed that he felt “I can learn from him” after witnessing Bennett’s jump shots. To see a head coach be on par with a similar level of athleticism as his players was a sight that convinced the then 18-year-old Thompson that not getting UCLA or USC may have been a good thing. “Yeah, that’s where I need to be” Thompson revealed during the interview.

Tony Bennett’s NBA stint was quite brief, as he only played for the Charlotte Hornets for three seasons. Despite this, the skills that the former point guard carried 13 years after leaving the NBA created a memorable impression. While he and Bennett would only work together for one season, the coach’s early guidance allowed Thompson to continue on with Washington State, with whom he averaged 17.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists throughout 98 games.

This stat allowed him to come up as a noteworthy candidate during the 2011 NBA Draft and the rest, as they say, is history. Tony Bennett would certainly have been touched at receiving the tribute from his former player. However, he probably wouldn’t use it to get back into a conversation with the now-Mavericks player. After all, it can be a bait, since Thompson may not have forgotten the ‘rematch.’

Tony Bennett brought up an unseen emotion on Klay Thompson’s face during Ping-Pong

When describing the story of how he and Bennett came to recruit Klay Thompson, former WSU assistant coach Matt Woodley revealed an instance when the head coach and future NBA player engaged in a round of ping-pong. Both individuals were equally good, but Bennett eventually emerged victorious during the game. Woodley revealed that in the aftermath of the ping-pong session, he saw Thompson displaying any sort of emotion for the first and only time in front of him.

However, that emotion was simply a ‘pissed off’ expression.  Back in January 2020, 247 Sports was able to get the account from Bennett himself. Though not sure, he may have felt that Woodley’s story checks out. “Hey, if I had a chance to win at ping pong, and I don’t remember winning, but there is no way I would ever throw a game of ping pong — not even for Klay Thompson,” Bennett said playfully while adding, “We might have to go back and have a rematch someday.”

2024 is the year when both Klay Thompson and Tony Bennett made a significant change in their career. While the basketball part of the coach’s life may be over, Thompson is writing a late, but new chapter of his journey by aligning with a new franchise. Whether he will find the same level of success there remains to be seen.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.