Amen Thompson Scouting Report: 2023 NBA Draft
By: Bryce Williams
After G League Ignite was formed, many people were curious to see what other leagues would sprout up. The most notable American league for basketball players skipping college is Overtime Elite. Their prospects have been questioned due to the level of play in the league, but the Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar, have risen above the rest and played their way into lottery selections. Let’s look at Amen’s game and what makes him a Top-5 caliber pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
THE BASICS:
Name: Amen Thompson
Position: Guard
Team: City Reapers (Overtime Elite)
Age: 20
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 209
THE GOOD:
Amen Thompson is a freakazoid of an athlete. He and his brother possess possibly the best athleticism out of anyone in this class. Amen will step into the NBA on day one and be the most athletic person on the court. When you get him into the open court, he is like a bullet train on a mission to the rim. Once he is at the rim, he has a multitude of finishes to get by defenders. Thompson is also a great passer, making him an elite transition threat in the modern NBA. Amen is also a solid defender, using his incredible athleticism to jump into passing lanes and block shots. Thompson can grab a rebound and get the break started in a hurry.
THE BAD:
Amen’s main concerns are his jump shot and the league he played in. As an older prospect, Thompson and his brother played against 16 and 17-year-olds. This has led to concerns about their ability to transition their game to people stronger and faster than their previous counterparts. Will they be able to dominate in transition like they did in Overtime Elite? Another major flaw in Amen’s game is his jump shot, he shot 25 percent from three in the past season. Not only are the numbers not promising, but his shooting motion also does not look comfortable or optimal for the NBA.
PRO COMPARISON:
Due to the individuality of his skill set, it is hard to find a direct player comparison to Amen Thompson. From what I’ve seen on tape and read on the internet, Amen combines the talents of both Shawn Livingston and Ja Morant. He could possess Livingston’s shooting threat with Morant’s freak athleticism and burst of speed.
CONCLUSION:
The Thompson twins are two of the more polarizing prospects in this draft class. It will be interesting to see where they can fit in the NBA, but Amen has all the tools to be an elite transition threat with plus defensive upside. He will likely be a top-five pick, with many outlets mocking him to Houston at four. If the Rockets opt to pair Thompson with Jalen Green, they will have one of the most electrifying backcourts we have ever seen. Thompson’s trajectory in the NBA will be a fascinating watch as he tries to figure out where he fits in the modern game.
