Tag: Amen Thompson

NBA analysts react to Rockets drafting Amen Thompson at No. 4 overall

Unlike 2022, there was no late drama in the 2023 draft order. This time, the #Rockets got their man in Amen Thompson, and NBA analysts and fans widely praised the pick.

One year ago, the 2022 NBA draft board changed dramatically on the final day, and it led to the Houston Rockets (picking at No. 3) selecting Jabari Smith Jr. instead of Paolo Banchero.

There was no such drama in 2023. This time, the Rockets — at No. 4 in the first round — selected who most analysts expected them to get going into the draft: 20-year-old Amen Thompson.

A 6-foot-7 point guard prospect, Thompson averaged 16.3 points (56.8% FG, 23.3% on 3-pointers), 6.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.4 steals and 28.2 minutes last season in the Overtime Elite professional basketball league. While his shot needs work, he’s an elite athlete who already possesses strong playmaking and defensive versatility.

Should the shot improve, Thompson could become a star-level lead guard, which the rebuilding Rockets desperately need. That’s a big part of the case for his upside, which analysts such as ESPN’s Jonathan Givony have described as second-highest in the 2023 draft class (trailing only Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick).

With that upside in mind, the Thompson pick was well received by most NBA analysts and fans across social media, as shown in these real-time reactions. Stay tuned to Rockets Wire for further updates throughout Thursday’s draft night, as Thompson and Rockets general manager Rafael Stone will each take media questions.

PHOTOS: Amen Thompson enjoys NBA draft night, selection by Rockets

Amen Thompson fulfilled a lifelong dream with his selection by the #Rockets at No. 4 overall in the 2023 NBA draft. Here’s a look at his immediate reaction.

On the NBA’s 2022 draft night, pre-draft Rockets favorite Paolo Banchero suddenly became unavailable to Houston as a result of a stunning late decision by the Orlando Magic.

This time, in 2023, Rockets frontrunner Amen Thompson still remained on the board. Understandably, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone took full advantage by drafting the talented 20-year-old.

A 6-foot-7 point guard prospect, Thompson averaged 16.3 points (56.8% FG, 23.3% on 3-pointers), 6.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.4 steals in 28.2 minutes last season in the Overtime Elite professional basketball league. While his shot needs work, he’s an elite athlete who already possesses strong playmaking and defensive versatility.

Should the shot ultimately improve, that could make Thompson a star-level lead guard, which the rebuilding Rockets sorely need. That’s a big part of the case for his upside, which analysts such as ESPN’s Jonathan Givony have described as second-highest in the 2023 draft class (trailing only Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick).

From Thompson’s perspective, he’s joining an organization in one of the NBA’s bigger markets — and one that particularly needs his skillset. As a result, he seemed quite happy to join the Rockets.

In photos, here’s a look at Thompson’s reaction on Thursday night after being drafted at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

2023 NBA draft: Live stream, how to watch, TV channel, start time

Here’s how to watch, along with what to watch for from a #Rockets perspective, when the 2023 NBA draft tips off on Thursday night. Houston is slated to pick at No. 4 and No. 20 overall.

Entering the 2023 NBA draft, Amen Thompson is the clear front-runner to be selected by the Houston Rockets with their No. 4 pick in the first round.

Then again, Paolo Banchero was the popular projection one year ago when the Rockets were picking at No. 3, and Jabari Smith Jr. was the unexpected result thanks to late changes.

The moral of the story: Nothing is done until NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reads out each selection on the stage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Trades are certainly possible, too.

If you’re near Houston, you can watch all the drama unfold at the team’s official draft-night watch party at POST Houston.

For everyone else, the best way is to watch on television or a live Internet stream once the picks start rolling in. Here’s a look at how and when to watch, along with various details on the prospects likely to be available for the Rockets and other teams to choose between. Houston also owns a second first-round pick at No. 20 overall.

PHOTOS: Amen, Ausar Thompson take in New York spotlight ahead of 2023 NBA draft

In the days leading up to his probable #Rockets draft selection, Amen Thompson is taking in the sights of New York with his twin brother, Ausar Thompson.

Amen and Ausar Thompson, twin brothers who played for the Overtime Elite professional basketball league, are each expected to have their names called in the top 10 picks of the 2023 NBA draft.

Amen Thompson, a 6-foot-7 playmaking guard, is the clear favorite to hear his named called by the Houston Rockets with the No. 4 selection in the first round. Ausar Thompson, a 6-foot-7 wing, should hear his name called shortly after — perhaps by Detroit at No. 5.

The 2023 draft starts at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and takes place from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. About 20 minutes after that, the Rockets and general manager Rafael Stone will be on the clock.

As part of the immediate pre-draft process in New York, both twins have taken in various sights and scenes, including a photographed trip to the Empire State Building on Tuesday afternoon.

Scroll on for a selection of photos from that Empire State Building visit. All photos are were taken by Getty Images’ John Lamparski and compiled for the Empire State Realty Trust.

Thursday’s NBA draft-day rumors: Rockets expectations for June 22

Entering NBA draft night, there’s some late intrigue as to whether Amen Thompson or Brandon Miller will be the best prospect available at No. 4. Here’s our final #Rockets rumors roundup.

With the Charlotte Hornets reportedly focused on Alabama forward Brandon Miller at No. 2 in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft, the Houston Rockets appear comfortable in their spot at No. 4.

By most accounts, the Rockets could use a point guard, and the combination of Miller to the Hornets and French big man Victor Wembanyama going No. 1 to San Antonio means that at least one of the top two lead guards — Scoot Henderson of the G League Ignite and the Overtime Elite’s Amen Thompson — should be on the board.

As a result, Houston doesn’t appear likely to trade down when it can’t guarantee that one of those point guards would be available at a later pick. Similarly, it doesn’t need to surrender significant assets to trade up when it  can get a top target where it is.

The Rockets also, however, own a second first-round selection at No. 20 overall (via a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers). There’s considerably more uncertainty with that selection, both in terms of who the Rockets might select or potential trades that could send Houston up, down or out of the 2023 draft entirely.

Entering Thursday, here’s our roundup of where things stand and the considerations at play for general manager Rafael Stone.

What is Overtime Elite? Explaining the league that will have Amen and Ausar Thompson become its first NBA draft picks

The Thompson twins are about to make the first NBA leap from the OTE league

There have been lots of out-of-the-box ways the NBA’s players have made their way into the league.

The most common way, obviously, is by attending college and getting drafted. That’s how Brandon Miller made his way. Victor Wembanyama, obviously, falls into the overseas pro route. Scoot Henderson took the G League Ignite route.

But no one has ever come from Overtime Elite — a relatively new operation giving high schoolers another path to the NBA. Amen and Ausar Thompson are going to be the first to actually complete it when they’re drafted in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Let’s talk a bit about how we got here.

Wednesday’s NBA draft-eve rumors: Rockets intel for June 21

Amen Thompson looks increasingly like the #Rockets frontrunner at No. 4 overall, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo. As the pre-draft period enters its final hours, here’s where things stand.

Held in Brooklyn, New York, the 2023 NBA draft is one day away on Thursday night, June 22. The start time from Barclays Center is at 8 p.m. Eastern time, or 7 p.m. Central.

With that in mind, big boards are being finalized across the NBA as the lengthy pre-draft period enters its final hours.

In Houston, the top priority for general manager Rafael Stone is making the correct decision with the No. 4 pick. Be it making the selection, trading up or down in the first-round order or trading out for a veteran, the Rockets need to maximize the premium asset as they enter the next phase of a franchise rebuild.

The leading option, if they stay put, appears to be point-guard prospect Amen Thompson of the Overtime Elite.

Here’s a roundup of Wednesday’s news and notes related to the Rockets. With rumors reaching a crescendo on the NBA’s annual draft week, we’ll do this each day leading up to Thursday’s big day.

2023 NBA mock drafts, final update: Houston Rockets pick projections

As the NBA’s 2023 pre-draft period enters its final hours, here’s one last look at #Rockets pick projections. Amen Thompson and Olivier-Maxence Prosper are popular choices.

With two complete rounds, the 2023 NBA draft takes place Thursday, June 22, in Brooklyn, New York. Held at the Barclays Center, all of the action starts at 8:00 p.m. Eastern (7:00 p.m. Central), and picks will be televised nationally on both ABC and ESPN.

After landing at No. 4 in the draft lottery, we know the rebuilding Rockets will not be drafting Victor Wembanyama, the historically talented French big man who will go to San Antonio at No. 1. However, general manager Rafael Stone will have several talented options to choose among once Houston is on the clock.

At fourth, the list of candidates for the Rockets is presumably led by guard Scoot Henderson of the NBA G League Ignite, guard Amen Thompson of the Overtime Elite and forward Brandon Miller of Alabama. Other options include Ausar Thompson, Amen’s twin brother from Overtime Elite, and Villanova forward Cam Whitmore.

Houston also owns the No. 20 pick in the first round, which it acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Eric Gordon trade. As the pre-draft period enters its final hours, here’s one last look at who experts have going at No. 4 and No. 20 in their latest mock drafts.

Tuesday’s NBA draft-week rumors: New Rockets intel for June 20

”He’s the best athlete anyone has ever seen,” a #Rockets source tells @JTGatlin of Amen Thompson. Here’s our roundup of Tuesday’s draft-week rumors.

The 2023 NBA draft is two days away on Thursday, June 22, which means big boards are being finalized by teams across the league and the pre-draft period is entering its final hours.

In Houston, the top priority for general manager Rafael Stone is making the correct decision with the No. 4 pick. Be it making the selection, trading up or down in the first-round order or trading out for a veteran, the Rockets need to maximize the premium asset as they enter the next phase of a franchise rebuild.

The leading option, if they stay put, looks to be guard prospect Amen Thompson of the Overtime Elite. Per Jackson Gatlin of “Locked on Rockets,” Thompson was quite impressive during his recent workout in front of Stone and other scouts and executives in Houston.

Here’s a roundup of Tuesday’s news and notes related to the Rockets. With rumors reaching a crescendo on the NBA’s annual draft week, we’ll do this each day leading up to Thursday’s big day.

Monday’s NBA draft-week rumors: Latest Rockets tidbits on June 19

The #Rockets could trade Thursday’s No. 20 selection for a future first-round draft pick, @NBADraftWass reports. Here’s our roundup of Monday’s draft-week rumors.

Thanks to February’s NBA trade deadline deal involving Eric Gordon and a pick-swap right obtained from the Los Angeles Clippers, the Houston Rockets moved up from the No. 30 draft selection (via Milwaukee) of the 2023 first round to No. 20 overall.

Despite that increased value, the Rockets might not stay there.

As part of Houston’s rebuilding movement in recent years, it already has a roster deep with young prospects. Furthermore, the Rockets are expected to sign several players in free agency with their league-leading figure of about $60 million in salary cap flexibility.

With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman reports:

Teams and agents do not expect the Houston Rockets to keep the No. 20 pick. This would be a spot on the board where Houston would simply look for a future protected first-rounder in return.

Effectively, general manager Rafael Stone could be hoping to roll over that asset into a future year in which Houston might not have as much of a roster crunch when it comes to young players.

Here’s a roundup of Monday’s news and notes related to the Rockets. With rumors reaching a crescendo on the NBA’s annual draft week, we’ll do this each day leading up to Thursday’s big day.