Rocco Thompson, the beloved English bulldog who captured the hearts of fans and stood loyally by Klay Thompson’s side for over a decade, has passed away at the age of 13.
Adopted during Thompson’s rookie season in 2011, Rocco quickly became more than just a pet — he was a steady presence through career highs and personal challenges, a true companion in every sense.
Together, they shared championships, comebacks and countless off-court moments that made the dog nearly as iconic to fans as his owner. The five-time NBA All-Star, took to Facebook to share his grief, writing, “You will forever be missed, and will always be apart of this family! I love you Rocco.”
The hosts of ESPN LA’s “Mason and Ireland,” a popular Los Angeles sports talk radio show, shared the sad news on Thursday’s broadcast and honored Rocco’s memory with a lighthearted round of trivia about the beloved bulldog.
According to Klay's father, Mychal Thompson, who a frequent contributor to the show, Rocco appeared alongside Thompson on a commemorative bobblehead in January 2016, given away during a Warriors game against the Lakers. And later that same year, in September, he famously relieved himself on the lush grass of Dodger Stadium field in a moment caught on camera during a live TV interview.
“We're all sad, but Rocco had a great, long life, so today's game is dedicated to the memory of our servicemen and women – and to Rocco,” the elder Thompson said “First half of the game is Rocco.”
The beloved pup even had his own Instagram page, where Thompson described him as “a best friend, K9 model, lap dog” and a “prince,” and adding, “Some may call me lazy, I call it #LivinLikeRocco.”
Upon learning the news of Rocco’s passing, fans immediately took to social media to leave messages of support, with one writing, “Oh Rocco, how lucky you were to have Klay love you and how lucky was Klay to be loved by you XOXO,” and another who wrote, “Rest with treats, Rocco.”
Rocco's legacy has also been commemorated through special merchandise. Notably, Thompson’s collaboration with Anta to release signature sneakers inspired by Rocco, like the Anta KT7 Bulldog 'Rocco' and the Anta KT9 'Rocco' editions.