Race Thompson Says He Fractured Right Tibia Plateau Two Months Ago

Former Indiana basketball forward Race Thompson posted on Instagram on Tuesday that he fractured his right tibia plateau two months ago. Thompson originally signed with the New York Knicks summer league team, but he was unable to play.

Race Thompson shared via Instagram on Tuesday that he fractured his right tibia plateau two months ago.

"Imma be back and better than ever trust that!" Thompson posted. "Been off the grid and wanted to give a little update."

Thompson posted this picture to his Instagram story on Tuesday, wearing a brace on his right leg.

Race Thompson shared via Instagram on Tuesday that he fractured his right tibia plateau two months ago / @race_thompson on Instagram

According to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, the tibial plateau is the flat top portion of your tibia bone, which runs from your knee to your ankle.

Following his Indiana basketball career, the program announced on June 25 that Thompson signed a deal with the New York Knicks for the NBA 2K24 Summer League 2023 in Las Vegas.

It was later reported by Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star on July 8 that Thompson did not make the trip to Las Vegas to play with the New York Knicks in NBA Summer League because of a sore right knee and will not be available for the event according to Knicks public relations staff.

Thompson, a two-time team captain, appeared in 130 games with 91 starts as a Hoosier. He was best known for his tough interior defense and rebounding, often being referred to as a "glue guy," though he expanded his offensive game steadily throughout his career.

He used a redshirt season in 2017-18 under former coach Archie Miller, and played his sixth and final season at Indiana under current coach Mike Woodson. Thompson finished his career with 997 points scored, averaging 7.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks across five seasons of action. He shot 51.1 percent from the field, 26.2 percent from three and 64.6 percent from the free throw line. 

Indiana's Race Thonpson (25) celebrates during the second half during the Indiana versus Jackson State men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 :: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

His most productive statistical season came in Woodson's first year in 2021-22, when Thompson averaged 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. These career-high numbers earned Thompson an All-Big Ten honorable mention by the league’s voting media members. 

Thompson scored a career-high 22 points on Nov. 30, 2020, when Indiana defeated Providence 79-58. Thompson thought his Indiana career was over when he suffered a knee injury on Jan. 5 at Iowa, but he returned and helped Indiana reach its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance under Woodson.

He played one of his best games in an Indiana uniform on March 17, 2023, when he scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Hoosiers defeated Kent State in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• THOMPSON'S CAREER NIGHT: Race Thompson doesn't have much of a postseason resume for Indiana, but he rewrote it on Friday night, scoring 20 points to lead Indiana to a 71-60 victory over Kent State in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament. CLICK HERE
• THOMPSON THOUGHT IU CAREER WAS OVER: Race Thompson wasn't sure he'd ever wear the cream and crimson uniform again after suffering a knee injury at Iowa on Jan. 5. He returned on Sunday against Michigan State and said he's grateful to be healthy in his final months as a Hoosier. CLICK HERE