NBA Player Tristan Thompson Reveals Early Anthropic Investment Sparked by Silicon Valley Dinners

According to BlockBeats, on May 19, NBA player Tristan Thompson disclosed how he became an early investor in AI company Anthropic, crediting the opportunity to NBA-related gatherings in Silicon Valley. Thompson shared on podcast Market Bubble that a Silicon Valley-based friend introduced him to AI circle figures, and after conversations with tech entrepreneurs, he decided to invest. "They kept talking to me about AI and the future of technology, and I thought, 'I really like what you're saying,'" Thompson recalled, adding that he ultimately decided to participate.

Thompson subsequently expanded his early-stage tech investments through SPV (special purpose vehicle) structures and began inviting associates to co-invest. "After that, they opened up a lot of opportunities for me," he said, noting his ability to access quality projects earlier and build larger investment syndicates alongside other professional athletes increasingly active in AI and tech ventures.