Tag: Amen Thompson

Bleacher Report ranks key Rockets among NBA’s top under-22 players

Bleacher Report’s latest ranking of the NBA’s best under-22 prospects includes both Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. in the top six. #Rockets

The Houston Rockets and their fans have increasingly touted the value of their young core of prospects selected in the first round of recent NBA drafts, and many around the league are taking notice.

In a new ranking by Dan Favale and Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report, the Rockets are well represented in a “22 under 22” ranking of the best NBA prospects under the age of 22 years old.

Here’s a look at the criteria, via Bleacher Report:

Settling on this ranking requires some loose criteria. First and foremost, players must be in their age-21-or-younger season to meet the under-22 inclusion bar. This means anyone who is already 22 or will be 22 before Jan. 31 does not appear here.

Performances from this season have shaped our initial impressions and carry tons of weight. But this is not a batch of in-the-moment rankings.

Instead, view our pecking order through the lens of “Who should you want on your team for the rest of their career?”

Here’s where members of Houston’s young core stood on that list, which can be viewed in its entirety at Bleacher Report. (Not surprisingly, spoiler, No. 1 is San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama.)

Alperen Sengun dominates, Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson break out as Rockets rip Nets

First-round rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore had some of their most encouraging minutes yet as Houston rallied past Brooklyn on Wednesday night.

HOUSTON — Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson, the duo of highly drafted rookies from the 2023 first round, had their best combined performance yet as the Rockets rallied past the visiting Brooklyn Nets, 112-101 (box score), on Wednesday at Toyota Center.

Houston (17-15) won its second straight, while Brooklyn (15-20) lost for the 10th time in 12 games. The Rockets trailed by five midway through the third quarter, but led by star center Alperen Sengun, they took the lead and never looked back. Sengun bolstered his All-Star push with a game-high 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting (64.7%), and he also tallied 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in his 34 minutes.

For Houston, which was without two key rotation players in Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness), it was the emergence of the rookies — who haven’t played large roles so far this season — that could offer the most promise.

Whitmore finished 11 points, 2 steals, and 2 rebounds in 17 minutes, shooting 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%). Thompson added 10 points and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes. Both also provided value defensively with considerable length, athleticism, and versatility.

Mikal Bridges scored 15 points for the Nets on just 5-of-18 shooting (27.8%) and 3-of-12 from 3-point range (25.0%), reflecting a strong defensive effort by many of Houston’s perimeter players.

It was a relatively solid night for Houston’s starting backcourt, though Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green did have four turnovers apiece.

Key statistics for the backcourt duo included:

  • VanVleet: 21 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds; 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%), 6-of-8 on 3-pointers (75.0%)
  • Green: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists; 5-of-15 shooting (33.3%), 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.3%)

It was a blistering night from 3-point range for the Rockets, who connected on 19-of-39 (48.7%) against the Nets.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Wednesday was Houston’s fifth game of a season-long homestand at Toyota Center, which concludes with a challenging back-to-back on Friday and Saturday versus Minnesota and Milwaukee. Tipoff of both is at 7:00 p.m. Central.

Thompson Twins: Amen, Rockets defeat Ausar, Pistons in first matchup

Amen Thompson finished had a career night in his first matchup against his twin brother, Ausar, to help the Rockets defeat the Pistons.

Amen Thompson had a career night and emerged victorious in his first matchup against his twin brother, Ausar Thompson, to help the Houston Rockets defeat the Detroit Pistons.

Amen produced 12 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals in the 136-113 win on Monday. He went 5-of-6 from the field in 28 minutes off the bench in his 12th appearance of the season with the Rockets. On the other side, Ausar finished with five points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

The matchup was the first time the two brothers faced each other at any level of basketball. Their older brother, Troy Thompson, estimated that about 30 friends and family would be in attendance to watch the contest.

Amen called it a special night before the game.

“It is going to be a special moment for me, him, my family and my friends,” Amen told Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network. “I’ve got a lot of people coming. It is special.”

The first unofficial matchup between Amen and Ausar was scratched in July when the fourth pick suffered an ankle injury that prevented him from playing in the NBA Summer League contest.

To celebrate the first regular-season matchup, the Rockets hosted a “twin night” at Toyota Center, featuring giveaways of interlocking bobbleheads of the two players. The Pistons will do the same when the two teams meet for the second and final time of the season on Jan. 12.

They were matched up on each other periodically throughout the contest. However, neither player when guarded by the other, so the collective basketball community will have to wait to see if one brother can dunk on the other this season.

The evening certainly proved to be special for Amen and Ausar, who became the first siblings selected in the top 10 of the same NBA draft. They figure to see each other for years to come.

“It is crazy, but seeing him on the court warming up is weird; him being on a different team,” Ausar told Natalie Kerwin of Bally Sports Detroit before the game. “I haven’t seen him practice in so long. It is crazy we’re in this position. We’ve dreamed of this moment for so long.”

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In battle of twins, Amen Thompson enjoys career night for Rockets

In a matchup against his twin brother, Rockets rookie Amen Thompson finished with career-highs in points, assists, and minutes played as Houston routed Detroit.

HOUSTON — Rookie guard Amen Thompson has faced tough opponents throughout his basketball career. This season, he has faced NBA elites as he continues to work his way into the Rockets’ rotation under head coach Ime Udoka.

In Monday’s win over the Pistons, Thompson came face to face with one challenger who knows his game inside and out and knows his on- and off-court tendencies — even his favorite meal and movie. It was as if Amen was looking into a mirror when he was greeted by Detroit rookie Ausar Thompson, his twin brother.

This was the first time the brothers competed against each other in an NBA regular-season game. With family and friends in the stands to watch the New Year’s Day matchup, Amen outshined his brother with the best performance of his rookie season to date. He finished with 12 points and 6 assists in 28 minutes, all career highs.

Known as the “Thompson Twins,” Amen and Ausar made a name for themselves at Pine Crest High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before moving on to Overtime Elite, where their draft stock rose each minute they were on the court together.

The two accomplished so much together growing up, never being away from each other longer than a day, that it wasn’t unusual to see them become the first brothers drafted in the top-10 NBA selections. Amen went to Houston with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 first round. Ausar was drafted by Detroit with the very next selection.

There weren’t many one-on-one highlights from Monday’s matchup, but the brothers will have an opportunity to face one another again when the Rockets (16-15) travel to Detroit (3-30) on Jan. 12.

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Thompson twins react to first NBA meeting as Rockets rout Pistons

Rockets rookie Amen Thompson set NBA career-highs in points (12) and assists (6) in Monday’s showdown versus Detroit and his twin brother, Ausar Thompson.

HOUSTON — Over the course of an 82-game regular season, some matchups have more significance to NBA players than others.

For Houston’s Amen Thompson and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, Monday’s game at Toyota Center between the Rockets and Pistons was clearly one of those. It was the first time the highly touted rookies — each drafted in the top five of the 2023 first round — played against one another at a professional level.

The teams leaned into the theme, as well. Many fans received a special “Twins Night” bobblehead of both players. The same dual bobblehead will be given to fans in Detroit on Jan. 12, which is when the Rockets will pay the Pistons a return visit.

The Thompson twins were initially scheduled to face one another in the NBA’s 2023 summer league, but Amen’s ankle sprain prevented the head-to-head matchup at that time. Thus, Monday’s regular-season game on New Year’s Day was their first meeting.

Here’s our look at Monday’s Thompson-related activities, including statistics, interviews, observations, and reaction from both twins. Houston’s Thompson played a supporting role in his team’s blowout victory and recorded career-high totals in multiple categories.

Takeaways: Rockets blast Pistons as Alperen Sengun leads third-quarter explosion

Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green led the way with a dominant 47-25 third quarter, and that allowed Houston to cruise to Monday’s victory versus Detroit.

HOUSTON — At the midpoint of a seven-game homestand, the longest of the season, at Toyota Center, Alperen Sengun and the Rockets (16-15) finally returned to their winning ways with Monday’s 136-113 blowout victory (box score) over the lowly Detroit Pistons (3-30).

After leading by only four points at halftime, the Rockets blew the game open with a dominant 47-25 third quarter and ended a three-game losing streak. A fourth foul on Detroit’s Jalen Duren (12 points, 13 rebounds in 22 minutes) proved critical. Sengun quickly feasted against backup center James Wiseman.

In all, Sengun needed only 27 minutes to record a team-high 26 points and 9 assists. He shot 9-of-13 from the field (69.2%) and 8-of-9 on free throws (88.9%). Many of those assists went to fellow third-year prospect Jalen Green, who scored 22 points while making 5-of-9 from 3-point range (55.6%).

Other Houston players to score in double figures were:

  • Fred VanVleet: 15 points, 7 assists, 0 turnovers; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Jae’Sean Tate: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-10 shooting (50%)
  • Tari Eason: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25%)

On a themed “Twin Night” at Toyota Center, Monday’s New Year’s Day clash was the first NBA meeting between Houston’s Amen Thompson and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, his twin brother. Both rookies were drafted in the top five of the 2023 first round, and Amen had one of his strongest games yet — finishing with a career-high 12 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals in 28 minutes. Thompson made 5-of-6 shots (83.3%), including his lone 3-point attempt.

Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) again sat out for the Rockets, while Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) returned from injury to add 9 points and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes, shooting 3-of-4 from 3-point range (75.0%). Brooks remains day-to-day.

Here’s our look at Monday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and joyous fans. As Houston’s seven-game homestand continues, Game 5 comes Wednesday versus the Brooklyn Nets (15-18). The tip is at 7 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Alperen Sengun bounces back with huge night as Rockets blast short-handed Mavs

After hearing criticism from Ime Udoka earlier in the week, Alperen Sengun responded with one of his best career games as Houston routed short-handed Dallas.

After hearing some postgame criticism from head coach Ime Udoka following Wednesday’s loss, third-year Houston Rockets big man Alperen Sengun immediately bounced back with one of his best career games in Friday’s 122-96 rout of Dallas (box score).

The Mavericks (16-12) were short-handed, with superstar guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both sidelined by injury. But it was a needed win for the host Rockets (14-12), who snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the 12th time in 13 games at Toyota Center.

Sengun finished with a team-high 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets in under 25 minutes played, making 8-of-12 shots (66.7%), 1-of-1 from 3-point range, and a perfect 5-of-5 on free throws.

Other noteworthy Rockets performances included:

  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 21 points, 8 rebounds; 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%), 4-of-4 on free throws
  • Cam Whitmore: 14 points, rebounds, 2 steals in 14 minutes; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-6 on 3-pointers (16.7%)
  • Amen Thompson: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%)

Whitmore was recalled from the NBA G League earlier in the day. He and fellow rookie Amen Thompson, both drafted in the 2023 first round, each played the entire fourth quarter after Houston grabbed a massive third-quarter lead that ballooned to as large as 38 points.

With Doncic and Irving out, the Mavs were led by 16 points from veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. — who was held to just 6-of-20 shooting (30.0%) and 2-of-8 from 3-point range (25.0%).

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Friday’s game, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets is night two of a back-to-back on Saturday night in New Orleans. Tipoff versus the Pelicans (17-12) is at 6:00 p.m. Central.

‘He brought a spark’: Amen Thompson returns to Rockets after 15-game absence

After missing the past 15 games, Amen Thompson returned and showed what he can give the Rockets nightly.

After missing the past 15 games due to an ankle injury, rookie Amen Thompson returned to the court on Monday and showed what he could give the Houston Rockets nightly.

Thompson produced two points, five rebounds and one assist in 10 minutes in the 93-82 win over the San Antonio Spurs. He played in two five-minute stretches in the second and fourth quarters and bolstered the team’s second unit with his energy and effort.

“He was getting his feet wet again getting back in the NBA game after missing all of that time,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “It is going to take some time there, let alone being a rookie. To miss time and do what he did in the G League and our 5-on-5 workouts, he looked good out there. He brought a spark and really pushed the pace.”

Thompson suffered a Grade 2 sprained ankle on Nov. 1 in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. Over the last two weeks, he joined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for two rehab games in the G League.

The fourth pick registered a triple-double in his debut with the Vipers, recording 29 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks on Dec. 6. He followed that up with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists two nights later.

That time in the G League helped prepare him for his return.

“I felt really good,” Thompson said after the win. “In the minutes I got, I felt like the conditioning I did and the time in the G League was really good for me. I was playing like 40 minutes down there.”

Thompson was averaging about 17 minutes per game before the injury. The team will likely ease him back into action and determine where to slot him in the rotation. They believe his conditioning is at a level that he can step in and contribute.

The return of Thompson will give the Rockets another high-level guard who can defend multiple positions and push the pace. He showed glimpses of that ability on Monday, which will be welcomed.

“We encourage all of our guys to do that, let alone him being one of the biggest and most athletic guards and the pace that he plays with,” Udoka said. “He is on another level as far as speed getting up the court and trying to find guys.”

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NBA trade value rankings: Rockets among HoopsHype’s Top 100 players

Rockets players Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, and Amen Thompson are all listed in HoopsHype’s Top 100 NBA players by trade value.

The eighth edition of HoopsHype’s NBA trade value rankings is here!

To conduct this exercise, HoopsHype staff members evaluated and ranked the top 100 players based on each player’s talent, production levels, past performances, age, availability, the scarcity of their position, their current contract and future prospects.

Here’s where several members of the 2023-24 Houston Rockets ended up, led by Alperen Sengun at No. 23 overall.

Others in the top 100 list were Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson. The complete list is at HoopsHype, while rankings specific to the Rockets are available below.

Commentary and salary analysis is written by HoopsHype’s Frank Urbina and Yossi Gozlan. A detailed breakdown regarding all of Houston’s future salary obligations and contracts is available here.

Rockets recall Amen Thompson from G League; Monday return appears likely

After a pair of rehabilitation starts, the Rockets recalled rookie guard Amen Thompson from the G League. He should be available Monday versus San Antonio.

Rookie guard Amen Thompson appears ready to rejoin the Houston Rockets after two strong games with the G League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers, including a 29-point triple-double in his memorable debut. Thompson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, was recalled to the NBA team on Saturday.

That seemingly puts Thompson on course to be available for Houston’s next NBA game, which takes place Monday at home versus San Antonio. The tip at the Toyota Center is 7 p.m. Central. Thompson has missed over five weeks with a Grade 2 sprain of his left ankle

The Rockets’ schedule eases considerably next week: one game against the Spurs (3-18) and a pair versus Memphis (6-15). Two of those three are at home, where Houston (10-9) is 9-1 this season.

Thus, it could be an opportune time to ease Thompson back into the rotation before the schedule stiffens later in the month.

Once he returns, Thompson should help the Rockets fill some of the backup point guard minutes behind Fred VanVleet while bringing considerable length, athleticism and defensive versatility.

Just 20 years old, Thompson had averaged 6.3 points (40.9% FG) and 2.8 rebounds in 16.8 minutes to begin his NBA career. His injury occurred in Houston’s fourth regular-season game.

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