AUBURN, Ala. – While boarding the bus after Auburn's game at Mississippi State Tuesday, Auburn senior Unique Thompson received a congratulatory phone call from Becky Jackson, whose career rebounding record Thompson had just broken.
"It was great," Thompson said. "She told me she was proud of me, and that it's not often you find somebody who's willing to rebound and loves to rebound. That was great to hear, with her being the great woman she is and everything she accomplished on the court as well. She told me to keep striving."
Needing 10 rebounds to break Jackson's 37-year-old mark, Thompson charted her progress by peeking at the scoreboard during stops in play.
"Even before the game, I was nervous, more than usual," she said. "I just kept glancing at the board throughout the game, seeing how many more I needed. When I finally saw that I did have 10, I couldn't do anything but smile and be proud of myself."
Thompson finished with 14, giving her 1,123 for her career, No. 1 in Auburn history.
"It means everything to me, honestly," Thompson said. "It's still hard to believe. It feels amazing to know that I have accomplished this great milestone."
In 106 career games, Thompson has averaged 10.6 rebounds per game, a testament to her skill, size and determination.
"That's one of the things I don't think most people understand," Thompson said. "It's actually very hard. Everybody says that I make it look so easy but it's really tough, especially when you get tired, especially now, knowing that you have two and three people boxing you out and you still have to keep fighting for rebounds. It's telling yourself you have to keep going because it's something you do so well that you have to keep doing it."
Thompson's 13.1 season rebounding average leads the SEC and ranks No. 2 in the nation.
"It takes a mindset," she said. "You have to keep pushing. Not often times do you want to go run after the long loose ball, or not often times do you want to go under the goal and box and fight to get rebounds to give your team extra possessions. It's something you willingly work for to keep pursuing the ball."
Before Auburn tips off Thursday at 8 p.m. vs. No. 16 Arkansas, the Tigers will honor Thompson, the team's only senior. Though pandemic protocols will limit some of the customary Senior Night fanfare, the sentiment will be the same. A final curtain call after four seasons of consistent excellence and leadership.
"It's still special and I still know my family is coming," Thompson said. "Celebrating with my teammates as well, my coaches and my family, they'll be here for me. They'll be more excited than I am. It's a bittersweet feeling, but I am still excited."
She's averaged a double-double for her career, 14.1 points and 10.6 rebounds. With a program-record 56 career double-doubles, she needs one more to enter the SEC's all-time top 10. While individual success has been enormous, team success has been elusive. Thompson remains undaunted.
"There is still value in this season," Thompson said. "I'll tell anybody, I wouldn't trade this season for anything. If I could redo it, I definitely would. I cherish my girls and I cherish my coaches. This season still has been fun, it's been a great experience. It's helped me grow not only as a player but also as a person and as a leader."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer