Amen Thompson
Amen Thompson, born Ameiz XLNC Thompson, on January 30, 2003, in Oakland, California, USA, is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is the twin brother of fellow basketball player Ausar Thompson. Their uncle, Mark Thompson, represented Jamaica in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Amen and Ausar began training in basketball under their father’s guidance at age seven, inspired by LeBron James. The twins were homeschooled in sixth and seventh grades to focus on basketball. Amen Thompson is 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) tall and weighs 91 kg (200 lb).
Thompson attended Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Instead of completing their senior year of high school, Amen and his brother Ausar joined Overtime Elite (OTE) in Atlanta in 2021, opting for an alternative path instead of a traditional college career. During his time at OTE, Amen played for Team OTE in his first year and then for the City Reapers in the 2022–23 season. He averaged approximately 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, earning All-OTE First Team honors in 2023. In the OTE Finals, he hit a buzzer-beater, helping the City Reapers sweep the league title. His decision not to play college basketball and instead play in the OTE was a notable part of his pre-NBA career.
Amen Thompson declared for the 2023 NBA Draft and was selected 4th overall by the Houston Rockets. His entry into the NBA was highly anticipated, with analysts considering him a potential top-10 pick. As a rookie in the 2023–24 NBA season, Thompson made a significant impact, averaging approximately 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game, shooting around 53.6% from the field. His rookie season was considered solid, and he was recognized for his elite defense. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2024.
Looking ahead, Amen Thompson has already attracted attention for his defensive prowess and overall potential. He has been compared to great defenders and is projected as a future All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year candidate. His career highlights include being an OTE champion in 2023, earning All-OTE First Team honors in 2023, and being named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2024. He also received the Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month award in January 2025. Along with his twin brother Ausar, who is also growing in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons, Amen is seen as part of an emerging generation of two-way NBA stars, with high expectations for his continued growth and impact in the league. His current team is the Houston Rockets, where he plays as a shooting guard/small forward.
