Who are Amen and Ausar Thompson? Scouting reports for the Overtime Elite twins shooting up 2023 NBA Mock Draft boards

ATLANTA — More than 70 scouts representing 29 NBA teams (where are you at, Pistons?) filed into Overtime Elite’s gym on Tuesday for a Pro Day featuring the program’s 30 prospects.

But really, most eyes were focused on two players: twins Amen and Ausar Thompson, who are projected to go high in the lottery in the 2023 NBA Draft.

The chatter around the upcoming draft has been largely (and justifiably) focused on Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson. All of the discourse around those two, though, has been a bit of a disservice to Amen, who will be way more than a consolation prize for a team that misses out on the Wemby-Scoot sweepstakes.

Amen has the talent to go No. 1 in a normal draft, and he’s my favorite to go No. 3 this year. Oh, and Ausar’s not too shabby either.

NBA MOCK DRAFT: Projecting where Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and other top prospects will go

Amen Thompson scouting report

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.

What makes Amen a special prospect is his unbelievable athleticism combined with creative passing. He has very quick processing speed and an innate feel for where all of his teammates are on the floor.

He’s also ridiculously shifty, which allows him to find unusual angles to hit teammates all over the court.

I got to see potential no. 3 pick Amen Thompson take on Bronny James last Thursday. Here’s my one minute scout.

🔊 on: pic.twitter.com/KbBcZopHCu

— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) October 26, 2022

Amen is a tenacious defender that can guard multiple positions. He gives constant effort on that end of the floor, and he’s a ballhawk. He averaged 3.3 steals per 40 minutes last season and was shutting down 2024 draft prospect Bronny James in their Oct. 20 matchup.

Amen does have some good leadership qualities as well, which he credits to his time at Overtime Elite.

“I feel like my game has developed a lot,” Amen told The Sporting News. “Shot, ball handling, reading the court, being able to be a leader mostly. I used to be a little shy. Now, I talk a little more.”

Amen is a vocal defender who isn’t shy about directing teammates. He’s developed a comfort level from playing against strong competition, including an overseas trip that had him facing much stronger veterans like Marc Gasol.

Amen’s versatility, NBA-level athleticism, shiftiness, court vision and defensive effort make him an incredible prospect that is looking like a surefire top-five pick right now.

Amen Thompson age, height, weight, vertical leap, wingspan measurements

Here are Amen’s measurements from Overtime Elite’s Pro Day:

Ausar Thompson scouting report

Ausar hasn’t done as much of the primary ball handling as Amen, but he shares many of the same traits as his twin brother.

“Great playmaker, great attacking. He knows how to draw fouls really well,” Amen said of Ausar. “Defense is ridiculous. He’s like me, very versatile. Although we don’t have the same game, we have very similar impacts on the game.”

Both brothers deeply care about defense, even in meaningless exhibition games. This was readily apparent during the pro day practices.

“I was showing them I’m a dog. All I want to do is win,” Ausar said. “Picking up 94 feet, then the rest will come.”

Ausar Thompson covering about 12 feet on a rotation that is beyond his responsibility to punch this layup towards the core of the earth. pic.twitter.com/R2YLReItJv

— PD Web (@abovethebreak3) November 4, 2021

Ausar shot the ball slightly better than his brother last season, hitting 24.6 percent of his 3-point attempts as compared to Amen’s 22.8 percent. He’s also shown a little bit more as a pull-up midrange shooter.

Both are working hard at improving their jump shots, as that swing skill will be vital to their future success.

“I think the most underrated part of my game is my handle and facilitating, playmaking,” Ausar said. “I’m feeling a lot more confident as a shooter.”

Both brothers are fantastic athletes, passers and defenders. They’ll almost surely be in the lottery and have a great chance to be selected right behind Wembanyama and Henderson in this loaded draft class.

Ausar Thompson age, height, weight, vertical leap, wingspan measurements

Here are Ausar’s measurements from Overtime Elite’s Pro Day: