‘Bitcoin Is Michael Jordan’, Says NBA Star Tristan Thompson—So Who’s Ethereum, Solana and XRP?

What does a 14-year career in professional basketball have in common with controlling the crypto market? According to NBA star Tristan Thompson, who played this last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, both require discipline and perseverance.

During the Bitcoin 2025 conference last week in Las Vegas, Thompson told Decrypt That he was able to learn a lot about cryptocurrency since two years ago about cryptocurrency, leaning on “crypto teachers” through countless three-hour sessions and hosts his own podcast.

“Especially too many celebrities [in] This meme coin era just got out of space, “he said.” I didn’t want to be alone in this room. I wanted to understand. “

In addition to Courtide Crypto-a show that combines Sport and Crypto,-Is Thompson has become an ambassador for a crypto-oriented sports bets Platform Sportsbet.io and Ethereum Layer-2 Network called Corn who tries to use Bitcoin for decentralized finances or Defi.

But when it comes to his goal to “make crypto cool,” the NBA veteran Jargon avoids and prefers sports analogies.

‘Bitcoin Is Michael Jordan, LeBron James is Ethereum” Solana is Stephen Curry, and XRP Is Kevin Durant, “said Thompson, linking digital assets with legendary NBA talent.

Thompson is one of the newest cohort of celebrities to wade the cryptosphere since a series of controversial collapsesCulminating in FTX’s industry bankruptcy, Class-Action laid out lawsuits on sports icons such as Tom Brady and Shaquille O’Neil. Those athletes are examples of people who have not trained themselves enough, he said.

“FTX let people take a step back,” he said. “Those who are trained in this space, even if they are difficult times or there is trauma, they understand that you are still holding.”

Until then, Thompson said that President Koby Altman of Cleveland Cavaliers told him to report back to the team about everything he learned from the conference, he added. Coincidentally, the Cavaliers debuted An Avalanche-Powered fan -app last year.

Thompson said his crypto journey is about self-produce, take control of his own assets and go beyond financial advisers that encourage customers to adhere to the status quo.

“They are like dinosaurs,” he said. “I want to train the web2 space because I think what the centralized banks have done in principle, brainwashed and made people sheep.”

Thompson said Ryan Fang, the founder of Tomo Wallet and an adviser A personal mentor has been a personal mentor for Trump-Stridd Defi Project World Liberty Financial. During the conference, Thompson said he had the opportunity to meet Eric Trump, the son of the American president.

Fang did not immediately respond to a request for comments from Decrypt.

Published by Andrew Hayward