#4 Amen Thompson
Height: 6’7
Weight: 202 pounds
Team: City Reapers (Overtime Elite)
Position: PG/SG
Class: Two years in Overtime Elite League
WHO
Amen Thompson has long been a highly-touted prospect ever since he and his twin brother, Ausar, stepped into Pine Crest School. He boomed in his sophomore year, averaging 16.9 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks. He received offers from teams like Arizona, Kansas, Florida, and Iowa State, while garnering a prestigious five-star ranking on ESPN. Thompson only got better in his junior year. He averaged 20.5 points per game, 8.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3 steals, 1.6 blocks, and shot 57% from the field. In the Florida 4A State Championship, Thompson exploded with a monster 43-point-performance where he had 13 rebounds and 8 steals on 11-19 shooting.
However, he and Ausar elected not to help defend Pinecrest’s state title, move to a high school powerhouse in Hillcrest, or accept a scholarship offer for their senior year as they signed with the Overtime League. Although Amen initially was against the idea of skipping college, he got on board after pressure from the rest of his family. The first year of the Overtime Elite league saw Thomspon and his Team OTE play along with over Overtime Elite signees, along with other sports high schools and prep teams. Thompson’s team made it to the finals of the whole tournament, and he was invited to the OTE’s All-Star team that entered The Basketball Tournament. They ended up losing 70-74 in the first round.
This season, much like Thompson’s sophomore season, was his breakout season. Chosen with the first pick of the OTE season to play with Ausar and the City Reapers, he averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 assists (most in the league), and 5.8 rebounds. He and Ausar dominated the league, and the mind-blowing highlights he put on; the big, nylon-shaking dunks, the exuberant drives to the rim, the dizzying movement that shook defenders and cameras the same; attracted both fans and scouts alike. The Magic reportedly love him, and despite bypassing D1 basketball and March Madness, he’s rated by many as a firm top-4 prospect.
Thompson’s defining quality is his thirst for blood in the paint, as he relentlessly attacks and shreds defense on the way to the hoop. He can burst past defenders with his speed and athleticism, which has helped him to an average of 17.2 points per game, 9.2 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. He’s a good playmaker and solid on defense (1.6 steals per game, 0.6 blocks).
Although his three-point shot needs work, as he shot 30% from range, that could change with enough pre-season work. Due to his Ben Simmons-like skills coupled with a Ja Morant-like build, he needs to get on the ball in order to thrive, and it’s unlikely teams will straight up hand Thomspon the keys to the offense.
However, Amen and Ausar Thompson could slip down the draft due to their lack of experience against players their own age. The vast majority of OTE Elite Players are still teenagers looking for offers; the Thompson Twins’ main competition is 17-year-old Bryson Tiller. Compared with Gradey Dick, Anthony Black, Jarace Walker, or even Taylor Hendricks, the level of competition the Thompson Twins and the City Reapers have faced seems feeble. If they slide down the draft, that’s the most likely reason, along with general player fit or an unsatisfactory NBA Combine performance.
WHY
With Lamelo Ball apparently disgruntled with the Hornets’ incompetence over the years, Amen Thompson could be a very good alternative. If Ball stays, which is getting more and more unlikely, he would complement him in the backcourt, with one of Terry Rozier, Dennis Smith, or Kelly Oubre Jr. dropping to the bench.
If the Spurs fall to the 4th pick, it would not be a bad idea to let Tre Jones go into agency to snag Thompson. Teams like the Thunder, the Magic, Rockets, or the Wizards will benefit from having an on-the-ball presence like Thompson. But if the lottery shakes up unfortunately or a last-minute trade flings a team up the draft, we may see Thompson fall down two or three spots.
PRO SCOUT QUOTES
Amen has great size for a combo guard, a crazy quick first step and explosive athleticism. He also has a high level feel for the game and is a great passer (who sometimes tries to do too much but plays an unselfish game and loves to find teammates).
NBA Draft Room
Thompson is a marvelous athlete to watch. The dude just levitates. Blessed with a monster first step, Thompson can explode down the lane and finish with endless style at the rim. He’s the premier poster maker of this class and he knows how to put that athleticism to good use. Christopher Kline, Fansided
Amen is more of a primary ball handler than his brother, Ausar, and considered the better prospect at this stage. His two favorite players are LeBron James and Ja Morant. You can see shades of both in the way that he plays.Amen has terrific functional athleticism that allows him to get downhill quickly and finish at the rim. He was able to average 20.4 points and 5.6 assists per 40 minutes during Overtime Elite's 2021-22 season despite not having a good 3-point shot.
Stephen Noh, SportingNews
Thompson has great size for his position and skillset to go along with being an elite leaper, especially off of two feet. As of today, he’s best suited scoring the ball while attacking the rim. He’s got an extremely quick first step and is explosive when taking off for a shot.The potential top-five pick is overall great off the bounce, boasting a variety of dribble moves. He gets to the rim with ease, leveraging crossovers, spins, hesitations and pure blow by quickness. With that in mind, there’s times in which he is somewhat loose with the ball, which will need to be tightened up moving forward. SI.com
Amen Thompson is a 6’7” wing who pairs otherworldly athletic gifts with unique movement patterns and burgeoning playmaking instincts. His movement skills and leaping ability are at the center of his appeal as a prospect: Amen’s first step, load time, and vertical pop off of one and two feet are all beyond elite. Perhaps his most freakish athletic trait is the speed of his long strides, which he uses to cover ground impossibly quickly in big space.
Oscar at The Swish Theory
