Ausar 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 Ausar’s game and what makes him a Top-10 caliber pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
THE BASICS:
Name: Ausar Thompson
Age: 20
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 215 lbs
Position: Guard/Wing
School: City Reapers (Overtime Elite)
THE GOOD:
Like his brother, Ausar has unreal athleticism that helps transcend him amongst his peers. Thompson’s athleticism benefits him on the defensive end, where he is a potential elite-level defender. His speed, quickness, and vertical ability all combine to help Ausar’s switchability. He can use his lateral quickness to stay with guards and wings while using his long frame to affect shots at the rim. Ausar’s shot looks much more developed than his brother’s. It is much smoother and more productive than Amen’s. Thompson’s passing is also next level, he has lightning-quick decision making.
THE BAD:
Although it looks good, his shot is still nowhere near NBA-ready. It is quite streaky, Ausar will put up goose eggs from three in games, resulting in a 29.8 3PT%. Sometimes, his head gets a little too big for his shoulders, and he tries to get too flashy with his passes instead of making the simple read. Thompson can drift into anticipatory reads and not reactionary reads which turns into tougher passes than he needs to make. Another major concern scouts have for both of the Thompson twins is the league they played in. Overtime Elite is a primarily high school league, meaning Amen and Ausar were playing against 17-year-olds instead of people in their age group if they elected to go to college or play on the G League Ignite. The competition was less than fierce, and the offenses and style of play in OTE were far from complicated. This may not bode well for Ausar’s decision making, but we will have to wait to see if it translates to the next level.
PRO COMPARISON:
Thompson’s impact at the next level could look similar to Terrence Ross’s. A high-level swingman in his prime, Ausar should be able to provide ample value to a contending roster.
CONCLUSION:
The Thompson twins are subject to some of the most bipolar conversations about this 2023 NBA Draft Class. Some see them as future superstars, some are leery of their ability to contribute at the next level. At Next Man Up, we are in the middle, and we believe Ausar will be able to be a solid pro at the NBA level, due to his athletic and defensive upside.
