Amen and Ausar Thompson, the 6-foot-7 identical twin brothers, have 6-11 wingspans. They’ve achieved an amazing story, going from the league’s minor league system all the way to becoming strong playoff contenders in the NBA. During the 2023 NBA Draft, Amen was selected fourth overall by the Houston Rockets. His twin brother Ausar was not far behind getting picked fifth by the Detroit Pistons. Through that process, they did something very special. They went on to be the first pair of twins ever drafted in the top five of the NBA Draft.
The Thompson twins developed their basketball talent over two stimulating years in Overtime Elite (OTE). This new league’s emphasis on nurturing young talent gave them the ideal stage to flourish on. During that developmental period, they became world-class players. They became leaders, setting an example with their work ethic and commitment to their craft. Maya Wilson, their mother, acted as a vital pipeline to their success on the courts. She prohibited them from playing other sports, forcing them to focus exclusively on basketball. Their dad, Troy Thompson, entertained them with intense basketball workouts, which had been intended for their older brother, Troy Jr.
Mirroring their commitment to basketball is their commitment to growth as people and players. Like their given first names, the twins’ shared middle name—XLNC (pronounced “excellency”)—speaks to their family’s hopes for greatness. They maintain a family vision board, “Amen & Ausar’s 6’9” Dreams.” This is a board that says it is proud of their Olympic or sporting goals and aspirations. Each day, they write a 10-step to-do list that includes phrases like “hustle as hard as possible always” and “eat vitamins every day, healthy foods, and milk,” demonstrating their dedication to health and discipline.
As they move into the professional stage, each brother has outlined some personal goals for development. Ausar expressed his desire to enhance his on-ball aggression, stating, “I want to be even more aggressive on-ball, attack more and explore my game while attacking.” Even as he admits that he’s likely to have to lean hard into his scoring strengths. This means getting aggressive in the paint and working that mid-range game we know he’s got.
“I want to see him in the Finals,” – Amen Thompson
Their competitive spirit extends beyond individual achievements. Ausar noted how their competitive nature has shaped their rivalry: “Last year, Amen was talking a lot about us. They had 41 wins. We had 14. He was like, ‘Take that number and turn it upside down, and that’s how many wins y’all have. But I was like, it doesn’t matter. Y’all didn’t make the playoffs. We didn’t make the playoffs. Now he can’t say that. We made the playoffs the same year.” Their personal egos are evident in their behavior. More than that, though, they’re fueled by a deep-seated need to see one another through their journeys toward success.
One of the biggest surprises by Amen and Ausar this season has been their elite-level talents on the defensive end. Both found their playoff performances elevated to another level when they matched up with Tyler Herro, helping lead their squads to impressive playoff runs and triumphs. Statistically, the twins rank in the top five for average jump height when attempting layups or dunks this season, with Amen averaging 2.38 feet and Ausar 2.28 feet.
The twins have shown on the court that they can do it all by being molded to fit in any position needed. Amen usually set up in the dunker spot. He was the de facto point guard for long stretches of games too. This versatility has given both ballers the opportunity to use their skills to their fullest!
Though Ausar got a late start to the season—debuting on November 25—his stock rose upon stepping on the court next to Amen. Their chemistry is undeniable, capturing them in sync, amplifying the competition and boosting these two young stars’ teams during the most important phases of the game.
“You can tell they instilled in them that the team was greater than any individual and that there was more to it than just being a good basketball player,” said J.B. Bickerstaff, head coach of the Rockets. “The importance of being able to take care of yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, all of it.”
As they move deeper into the playoffs, the Thompson twins have their minds made up to stand out on their own. They’re equally if not more serious about figuring out better ways to pump up their teams’ performance. Their journey from promising young athletes in OTE to being key players in the NBA reflects hard work and perseverance.
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