Ex-Coug Klay Thompson third-team All-NBA

Klay Thompson is doing his level best to bring an entirely new meaning to the term “Cougin’ it.” Thompson became the first former Washington State player ever named to an All-NBA team when he was selected to the third team Thursday.

A panel of 129 sports writers and sportscasters selected three teams. Each five-man team consists of a center, two forwards and two guards.

Thompson came in fifth in guard voting behind Golden State teammate Stephen Curry, Houston’s James Harden, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Thompson ranked 10th in the NBA with 21.7 points per game, a record for an ex-WSU player. The fourth-year pro finished second to Curry in 3-point field goals made (239), placed fourth in 3-point shooting percentage (43.9) and was 11th in free-throw shooting percentage (87.9). Thompson also is recognized as a top defensive player.

In February, Thompson became the first Cougar to start in an NBA All-Star Game. The only other Cougar to play in an NBA All-Star Game was Dallas Mavericks (and former Seattle SuperSonics) center James Donaldson in 1988.

ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM

(Voting points at end; first-place votes in parentheses)

F LeBron James, Cleveland (129) 645. F-C Anthony Davis, New Orleans (119) 625.  Marc Gasol, Memphis (65) 453. G Stephen Curry, Golden State (129) 645. G James Harden, Houston (125) 637.

SECOND TEAM

F-C LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland (13) 390. F-C DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento (18) 220. C Pau Gasol, Chicago (15) 242. G Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City (10)  397. G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers (1) 335.

THIRD TEAM

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers (2) 189. F-C Tim Duncan, San Antonio (6) 167. C DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers (12) 175. G Klay Thompson, Golden State 122. G Kyrie Irving, Cleveland.

Others receiving votes: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio, 155; Paul Millsap, Atlanta, 70; Al Horford, Atlanta, 64 (1); John Wall, Washington, 50; Jimmy Butler, Chicago, 32; Damian Lillard, Portland, 22; Draymond Green, Golden State, 9; Zach Randolph, Memphis, 7; Jeff Teague, Atlanta, 7; Andrew Bogut, Golden State, 6; Nikola Vucevic, Orlando, 6; DeMar DeRozan, Toronto, 3; Rudy Gay, Sacramento, 3; Andre Drummond, Detroit, 2; Gordon Hayward, Utah, 2; Kyle Korver, Atlanta, 2; Joakim Noah, Chicago, 2; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas, 2; Dwyane Wade, Miami, 2; Carmelo Anthony, New York, 1; Tyson Chandler, Dallas, 1; Mike Conley, Memphis, 1; Brook Lopez, Brooklyn, 1; Kevin Love, Cleveland, 1; Kyle Lowry, Toronto, 1; Khris Middleton, Milwaukee, 1.