BlockBeats News, May 19th—NBA player Tristan Thompson recently appeared on the podcast talk show Market Bubble and shared his experience as an early investor in the artificial intelligence company Anthropic. He mentioned that this investment initially stemmed from his attendance at a series of NBA-related gatherings and dinners in Silicon Valley. Thompson explained that a friend in Silicon Valley introduced him to AI professionals, and after engaging in deep conversations with these tech entrepreneurs, he began to take a keen interest in the future prospects of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. "They kept talking to me about the future of AI and technology, and I felt drawn to what they were saying." Thompson recalled that many tech personalities in the San Francisco Bay Area were discussing this field at the time, ultimately prompting him to get personally involved. "I thought, okay, this is a check. I want to join this game."

Thompson revealed that after making his initial investment, he further participated in additional early-stage projects through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), gradually expanding his network and resources in the tech investment field. "Since then, they have opened up many opportunities for me." He mentioned that not only was he able to get into quality projects earlier through SPVs, but he also started inviting friends to invest together, forming a larger funding check. With more and more professional athletes entering AI and tech investment, Thompson's experience also reflects the increasingly close connection between sports stars and the Silicon Valley capital circle.

Thompson has long been in the spotlight of the entertainment media due to his relationship with Khloé Kardashian. During Khloé Kardashian's pregnancy, he was repeatedly involved in cheating scandals reported by the media, and after the breakup, the two announced their reconciliation. In recent years, he has become more involved in technology, AI, and cryptocurrency investments. He recently disclosed that many NBA players now ask him which cryptocurrencies to buy, to which Thompson responds, "I just tell them, hold for the long term. Look at the bigger picture. Just like you believed you could make it to the NBA, you also have to believe in these coins and in the development of the entire industry."