Record-Breaking Feat Achieved by Twin Brothers Prior to NBA Debut
The 2023 NBA rookie cohort is synonymous with greatness, thanks to the extraordinary talents of twin brothers who have already etched their names in basketball history
The 2023 NBA rookie class could easily be called the "Victor Wembanyama draft class." This 7-foot-4-inch teenager is generating immense hype, comparable to that of LeBron James as a prospect. He possesses extraordinary skills that have never been witnessed in basketball before, and even 2014 MVP Kevin Durant has praised the Frenchman this season.
However, "Wembymania" is not the only remarkable narrative found within this draft. Amen and Ausar Thompson possess a compelling story of their own.
While it is true that several sets of twins have previously graced the NBA court simultaneously, the Thompson brothers achieved an unprecedented feat by becoming the first pair of siblings to be chosen within the top five picks of the same draft. Furthermore, their selection occurred in successive order.
The Houston Rockets chose Amen as the fourth overall pick, while Ausar was selected by the Detroit Pistons at No. 5. According to Kelly Iko, an NBA and Houston Rockets writer for The Athletic, it is rare to witness a pair of brothers like them in the NBA, possibly even unprecedented.
Everything they do appears to contribute to their success on the basketball court. Whether it's their ability to dominate the rebounding game, their defensive assistance, seamless rotation, effective communication, fluid ball movement, or their knack for finding open teammates and positioning themselves in advantageous spots, it all seems to result in winning basketball.
The twins took an unconventional route to reach the professional league. Instead of completing their final year of high school and maintaining their eligibility for college basketball, they made the decision to forgo both. Instead, they opted to sign with Overtime Elite (OTE), a groundbreaking basketball league in Atlanta catering to young players between the ages of 16 and 20.
Amen dunks the ball during an OTE game - the Thompsons were known for their highlight-worthy plays during their time in Atlanta.
Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports
They spent two seasons in OTE, playing on separate teams in their first year before Amen joined his brother on the City Reapers, where they were coached by Dave Leitao.
According to Leitao, the twins possess an insatiable work ethic and are incredibly humble individuals. With 40 years of basketball experience, Leitao claims to have encountered many remarkable individuals, but Amen and Ausar manage to surprise him with their unique abilities on a regular basis.
"Ive been caught on camera saying: Ive never seen that before, like, did you just see what I saw?!"
Twin magic
Amen and Ausar were born on January 30, 2003, in Oakland, California. Amen, the older twin, was born one minute before Ausar. They both share the middle name XLNC, pronounced "excellence," which was bestowed upon them by their father Troy, who also acts as their agent.
The brothers have frequently expressed their inseparability and disclosed to the New York Times earlier this year that they have never been apart for more than two consecutive days.
Making it to the NBA had always been a shared dream for the twins. When they were nine years old, they created a vision board with one of their central goals being to "become the greatest NBA player of all time."
Hold me now: The Thompson twins are living the dream.
John Lamparski/Getty Images
After relocating to Florida, they attended Pine Crest School where they played basketball together in high school. Graduating as top-rated recruits, they continued their strong bond at OTE, despite temporarily playing for different teams in their first year. Serving as each other's biggest supporters, they now face the challenge of being geographically separated due to their league commitments. Nonetheless, the twins had made prior arrangements to cope with this inevitable aspect of their professional lives.
"They were adamant about understanding that they were going to have to separate," Leitao said. "Now that theyre apart, they talk every day."
Working Overtime
The college path has been the usual route for American basketball players to reach the league for a long time. The appeal of nationally televised games, the excitement of the NCAA tournament, and the presence of NBA scouts all contribute to its popularity.
Nevertheless, in recent years, we have witnessed aspiring basketball players opting for alternative pathways, including overseas competitions and the developmental G League, to reach the NBA. This does not mean that prestigious schools like Duke, UCLA, and North Carolina are losing their appeal - March Madness will always hold its magic. Rather, the younger generation is now more inclined to explore unconventional opportunities.
Overtime Elite, launched in 2021, offers young players an alternative option. It is operated by Overtime, a media company catering to Gen Z sports fans.
In addition to state-of-the-art training facilities located in the 103,000 square-foot OTE Arena in Atlanta, players receive a minimum wage of $100,000. This wage can be waived if they desire to maintain eligibility for college. Furthermore, players have the opportunity to receive an education that encompasses "applicable professional skills training" classes. These classes emphasize topics such as financial literacy, media training, and mental wellbeing.
Ausar during an academic advisory period at Overtime Elite Academy.
Dustin Chambers/USA Today Sports
Amen and Ausar were the most notable players to join the league's first-ever season in 2021. They forwent their senior year of high school and gave up their eligibility for college by accepting a salary in return.
Taking the risk was a massive gamble for OTE since it had not yet proven to be a feasible choice for young athletes. However, these two promising talents fearlessly led the way, blazing a trail and embracing the uncertainty.
Their bravery yielded remarkable results for the twins as they completely dominated the league. Their extraordinary ability to jump high, reject shots, create consistently viral highlights, and play at an exhilarating speed not only captivated audiences but also effectively shut down opposing offenses on the defensive side.
OTE received a significant boost when two of its prospects were selected within the top five positions in the draft, marking a major milestone for the organization in only its second season.
According to Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press, this development serves as a substantial vote of confidence for OTE. He mentioned that the coaches had expressed their intention of providing athletes with a contemporary platform to enhance their abilities and smoothly transition to professional sports.
The same, but different
Leitao acknowledges that it was beneficial in kickstarting the twins' careers, stating: "Regardless of their personal aspirations or our desires for them, they have emerged as the prominent figures of Overtime Elite. This is highly advantageous for the progression of basketball, as it signifies the existence of multiple pathways towards fulfilling your aspirations."
Amen and Ausar are commonly known as the "Thompson twins" due to their striking resemblance and undeniable athletic prowess. Leitao humorously remarked, "You could easily mistake them for the same individual if you're not paying close attention!"
They start to diverge on the court. "Even though they have been inseparable throughout their lives, there are still distinctions between them," mentioned Iko. "Amen excels as a primary ball handler, whereas Ausar embraces the role of a point forward."
The Rockets seem to have recruited their playmaker of the future with Amen.
Recently, Amen, who operates as a point guard, encountered an ankle injury. However, he displayed glimpses of his potential during the preseason and his limited appearances off the bench in the early stages of his NBA career. Iko has expressed admiration for the composure Amen has demonstrated.
"He has an exceptional vision," he remarked. "What truly captivates me is his swift ball movement and ardent promotion of selfless teamwork."
His athleticism is nearly a given by now.
Iko continued, "We are discussing one of the league's most explosive players by the age of 21, ranking among the top 10."
Meanwhile, Ausar has consistently started every game as the Pistons' small forward during the regular season. His impressive rebounding skills and suffocating defensive prowess, which are not usually seen in rookies, have garnered attention.
"He appears to be slow on the defensive end," noted Sankofa. "However, his anticipation skills are exceptional, enabling him to predict the ball's trajectory and position himself accordingly, leading to steal opportunities.
"At times, it's almost as if he possesses prior knowledge of upcoming events."
Ausar's impressive offensive skills have resulted in eye-catching highlight plays, earning his team the nickname "Showtime Pistons," a stark contrast to the rough and tough reputation of the 90s "Bad Boys."
Ausar, shown here guarding Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan, is already taking on some tough defensive assignments.
Chris Schwegler/NBAE/Getty Images
Iko draws parallels between Amen and Deron Williams and Lamar Odom, whereas Sankofa acknowledges the resemblance between Ausar and Scottie Pippen (an acknowledgment he regards as "lofty"). Both observers also see inherent similarities between the twins and former NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.
While the Thompsons display proficiency in various aspects of the game, there is a consensus that their long-range shooting skills require improvement.
Ausar has consistently been left vulnerable outside the three-point line, with opposing defenses capitalizing on this weakness. This has significantly limited the playing space for the rest of the team, hindering their offensive performance against the Pistons.
Amen is also facing challenges in this area. Iko explains that the Rockets' rookie has been working on improving his jump shot mechanics with Ben Sullivan, the lead assistant and shooting expert.
Luckily, the twins have plenty of time in their careers to work on and fix their flaws. They are determined, more than anyone else, to become the best players they can possibly be.
"They are unable to operate unless they are at the gym, dedicating themselves to improving their skills," expressed Leitao, exhibiting immense pride in the brothers.
"I understand that occasionally certain requirements need to be fulfilled, particularly in the NBA where financial aspects and societal or humanitarian factors can be obstacles. However, they possess the necessary abilities and even more to navigate those challenges while focusing on their personal progress and advancement."
"Theyre well on their way to becoming special."
