By nearly all accounts, this week’s training camp at McNeese State University’s Legacy Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, was a successful one for the Houston Rockets.
But as head coach Ime Udoka sees it, there’s one potential standout to date. It’s the supremely talented guard Houston drafted at No. 4 in the 2023 first round.
Here’s what Udoka said about Amen Thompson on Friday (via Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle):
The guy who stood out to a lot of people was Amen. His pace is real, his size and athleticism, and he has that burst. He really ignites the fast break on his own. He’s been great.
He’s just scratching the surface. He’s getting up to speed. He’s learning on the fly. He already has some natural ability and instincts that you can’t teach, and the IQ and the passing ability that stands out immediately. But he’ll learn as he goes. He’s done a great job.
Here’s a look back at interviews from Udoka and Thompson on Friday, along with highlights from throughout the week. Houston will open its preseason slate on Tuesday at home versus Indiana.