Amen Thompson, the promising young guard for the Houston Rockets, has embraced the opportunity to take on the responsibilities of a point guard this season. At only 22 years old, Thompson is already being thrown into the fire as he’s had to replace veteran Fred VanVleet due to injury. He is displaying an incredible amount of poise and finesse on the floor.
Thompson, who was selected fourth overall in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Overtime Elite, initially played as a swingman known for his athleticism and defensive prowess. When VanVleet was ruled out due to a knee injury, the Rockets were left leaning on Thompson. They counted on him to set the tone offensively. This change of heart is huge given that Thompson at one point had dreams of being an All-Star caliber shooting guard.
Throughout his first three seasons, Thompson proved to be an elite two-way player. He was one of only four players to average at least 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists per game during his initial games in the league. His commitment to defense is evident as he often guards the best players, including notable matchups against stars like Ja Morant.
Thompson’s older brother, Troy Thompson Jr., remembers when they played youth basketball in Oakland, California. He pointed out that Amen and his identical twin brother Ausar often played point guard together. Troy recognized Amen’s potential early on, stating, “There were times where Ausar was the point guard and Amen was the shooting guard.” That foundation truly set Amen up for success at the professional level of the NBA today.
“So, when they switched roles, Amen started having a bigger impact. The next thing they did was learn how to be combo guards and switch off from lead ballhandler to secondary ballhandler.” – Troy Thompson Jr.
Even after a tough start to the season, which forced him to have surgery on September 25, Amen has not been discouraged. The details of his surgery may be lost to history, but his toughness certainly isn’t. He’s still playing tremendous games for the Rockets.
Thompson has said he doesn’t feel overwhelmed though his new job’s added responsibilities often would have tired others from the effort. “I’m not tired at all, I feel sort of wonderful,” he said, underscoring his energy and zeal.
He dreams to be on an All-Defensive Team. This vision of his speaks to his competitive nature and desire to separate himself from the field in all facets of the game. “I want to be an All-Star. I want to be an All-Defensive Team player. I have big goals, but at the same time my biggest goal is to win a championship,” he declared.
Thompson’s presence on the Rockets is apparent through his eye-popping stats. His firm guidance on the bench plays a critical role too. Marc J. Spears noted the synergy between him and his brother Ausar, stating, “When they did that, they became the most impactful players on the court pretty much every game I’ve seen them play in before making it to the NBA.”
Thompson addresses his new role as point guard head on. What’s important is that he doesn’t quit—he remains intent on beating the odds stacked against him. He understands that adaptability is key: “I don’t think about it. When I think about it, that’s when it doesn’t go as well. I know I guard the best player. I know I need to do whatever the team needs me to do.”
In his first 146 NBA games Thompson has already Auditioned elite measures that place him on the short list. He’s just the third player since the 1983-84 season to hit those cumulative milestones in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
If the Rockets want to take a step forward this season, Amen Thompson’s development will be one of the most important ingredients for their success. He makes better appearances when help is required, a real showing of that impressive toolshed he possesses. This shows a maturity well beyond his years.
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