Legendary former Cleveland Cavaliers power forward/center Tristan Thompson is embracing a new role beyond the court.
Just in time for National Epilepsy Awareness Month in November, the 2016 champion has announced a new partnership with Waymo and the Epilepsy Foundation. Their mission: shedding light on how automated driving can help families and caregivers with accessible mobility solutions for folks afflicted by epilepsy.
Thompson’s younger brother Amari has a severe form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). Since their mother passed away, Tristan has become Amari’s full-time caregiver.
Thompson and Epilepsy Foundation CEO Bee Martin Lee recently sat down for Thompson’s first-ever Waymo ride, to celebrate Waymo's One in 26 initiative - so called because one in 26 people have been or will be diagnosed with epilepsy during their lives. To highlight this, one in 26 Waymo vehicles in Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco sport an Epilepsy Foundation decal.
Waymo, a self-driving taxi service, has already autonomously driven passengers across over 15 states nationwide, and continues to actively provide rides to passengers in bustling urban centers like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Phoenix and Austin - to the tune of hundreds of thousands of rides weekly. Waymo’s emphasis is on safety and lessening injury-causing collisions on the road. Through access to Waymo, folks with epilepsy can have more control over their own transit.
With an eye on finding new solutions and treatments, Thompson now serves as the Chief Advisory Officer of AxonDAO, a growing medical research platform, powered by AI.
“My younger brother Amari has Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that leaves him unable to walk or talk,” Thompson tells Newsweek Sports. “Growing up beside him has shaped how I see the world. He has shown my what real strength looks like and how important it is to create a life filled with patience, dignity and care.”
“For families like ours, even simple routines can be difficult. Getting to appointments, finding consistent support, and getting mobilized everyday is a challenge. I believe we need to build a world where people with disabilities are included, supported, and able to move through life with as much ease as possible,” Thompson says. “That is why this Waymo partnership matters to me. Safe and reliable transportation can make a real difference for people living with epilepsy and the families who care for them. If technology can lift even a little of that weight, it changes lives in a real way.”
Across a 13-year pro career with the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Thompson notched averages of 8.3 points on 52 percent field goal shooting and 59.2 percent free throw shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 blocks and 0.5 steals a night. He appeared in four NBA Finals series with a loaded Cleveland club from the 2014-15 through 2017-18 seasons.
Thompson’s leadership and his tenacious, versatile defense helped propel the Cavaliers franchise to historic heights during his playing career, alongside future Hall of Famers LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Now, he’s looking to make a similar impact in the next stage of his life.
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