During the 2023 NBA draft on Thursday night, history was made as Amen and Ausar Thompson were announced as back-to-back draft picks by the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons respectively. The Thompson brothers made history by becoming the first brothers to be drafted in the top 5 of the same draft since the 1976 ABA-NBA merger. In addition, they joined Lonzo and LaMelo Ball as the only brothers to both go in the top 5 in a draft in the modern era.
The Thompson brothers starred for the City Reapers in the Overtime Elite league where they won OTE titles. Amen was drafted by the Houston Rockets while Ausar was drafted by the Detroit Pistons. Amen’s skills impressed league scouts and he will join a young Rockets team that finished 22-60 while ranking 27th in offensive efficiency and 29th in defensive efficiency. Amen’s best brand of basketball is running and he hopes to bring his skills to the Rockets.
Ausar will join a Pistons team that went 17-65 in their last season and has gone 15 consecutive seasons without a playoff victory, which is the longest active drought in the league. The Pistons also selected Jaden Ivey with the No. 5 pick in 2022 and Cade Cunningham at No. 1 in 2021, and recently hired former Phoenix Suns Coach of the Year Monty Williams. Ausar is excited to meet his coaches, teammates, and grow with them. He hopes to contend and help the Pistons end their playoff drought.
Their mother, Maya Wilson, expressed her excitement at the announcement and said that seeing them both go back-to-back blows her mind. She believes that the world is opening up to them and that there is no limit to what they can achieve. Their father, Troy Thompson, shared his vision for their next chapter, which is to become leaders on their team, aiming to be at least first-team All-Rookie and compete for Rookie of the Year.
The Thompson brothers made NBA history as back-to-back draft picks during the 2023 NBA draft. They look forward to joining their respective teams and bringing their skills to the court. Their parents are proud of their accomplishments and have set high goals for their future in the league.
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