Klay was born in Los Angeles to Julie and Mychal Thompson, the latter being the first overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. With a basketball star for a father, it's no surprise that Klay developed a love for the game at a young age. When he was two, his family moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon, where he would grow up with his brothers and play Little League baseball alongside future NBA player Kevin Love.

It wasn't until Klay was 14 that his family moved to Ladera Ranch, California, where he would attend Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Here, Klay would establish himself as a standout basketball player, averaging 21 points per game in his senior year and leading his team to a 30-5 record and a Division III State Championship appearance. Klay's performance in the state championship game was particularly impressive, as he set a finals record with seven 3-pointers in a single game. He was named Division III State Player of the Year, League MVP, first-team Best in the West, and an EA Sports Second Team All-American.

After high school, Klay would go on to play college basketball at Washington State University, where he continued to excel on the court. He was selected 11th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, where he would go on to become a three-time NBA champion and five-time NBA All-Star.

It's clear that Klay Thompson's basketball career has been a journey full of impressive accomplishments, but it all started in Southern California and continued through his high school and college years. His success serves as an inspiration to young basketball players everywhere, showing that with hard work, dedication, and a love for the game, anything is possible.