WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Former Notre Dame basketball player Lili Thompson back in town as Harlem Globetrotter

Becky Malewitz

South Bend Tribune

More than a year after she last wore her Fighting Irish uniform in a game, Lili Thompson returned to the University of Notre Dame’s Joyce Center last weekend — as a Harlem Globetrotter.

On Saturday and Sunday, she made promotional appearances during the men’s and women’s basketball games for this Saturday’s Globetrotters game at the Joyce, which marked her first visit to the campus since she earned a master’s degree in management last spring.

When she stepped onto the court last weekend — with her new nickname, “Champ,” thanks to her role on Notre Dame’s 2018 championship team — Thompson did so as one of only 17 female players in the Globetrotters’ 93-year history.

Follow this link for the full story on Thompson from the South Bend Tribune.

Former Notre Dame women’s basketball player and current Harlem Globetrotter Lili Thompson makes an appearance during the Boston College-Notre Dame women’s basketball game Sunday at Notre Dame in South Bend. She returns Saturday for the Globetrotters’ game.

Former Notre Dame women’s basketball player Lili “Champ” Thompson returns Saturday to the Joyce Center as a Harlem Globetrotter.

Notre Dame’s Lili Thompson, who suffered an ACL injury, walks up and down empty stands as the team practices during the NCAA Women’s Final Four media day events in March 2018 inside Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. She’s now a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, who play Saturday at Notre Dame.

Harlem Globetrotters, from left, Anthony Bates, “Killer” Edgerson and Shane “Ba Ba” pose with a young Lili Thompson during a basketball camp in Hawaii.

Notre Dame’s Lili Thompson (1) looks downcourt as Marquette’s Amani Wilborn (15) sets up on defense during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in December 2017. Thompson returns to campus Saturday as a Harlem Globetrotter.

Notre Dame’s Lili Thompson (1) drives down the court during a November 2017 game against Mount St. Mary’s in South Bend.

Syracuse’s Tiana Mangakahia (4) tries to get past Notre Dame’s Lili Thompson (1) during the 2017 Syracuse at Notre Dame women’s NCAA basketball game at the Joyce Center. The game marked the last time Thompson would play at the venue because she tore her ACL during the Fighting Irish’s next game, which was at Wake Forest.

Notre Dame’s Maureen Butler (40) looks at Lili Thompson’s phone during the Women’s Final Four media events in March 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Notre Dame’s Mikayla Vaughn (30), Maureen Butler (40) and Lili Thompson (1) listen to a song about the team during the Women’s Final Four media events March 31 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

• Where: The University of Notre Dame's Joyce Center

• When: 7 p.m. Saturday

• Cost: $110-$22; any U.S. government employee currently on furlough can receive two complimentary tickets by showing his or her valid government ID at the box office

• For more information: Call 574-631-7356 or visit harlemglobetrotters.com