By nearly all accounts, this week’s opening of 2023-24 Houston Rockets training camp at McNeese State University’s Legacy Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, was a successful one.
But as head coach Ime Udoka sees it, there’s one potential standout to date, and it’s the supremely talented guard Houston recently drafted at No. 4 overall in the NBA’s 2023 first round.
Buy Rockets TicketsHere’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.
Amen Thompson at 2023-24 training camp
Asked Coach Udoka who has stood out. He said the effort has been great from everyone, and pointed to Amen Thompson specifically. pic.twitter.com/n5f1EnO0OV
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) October 6, 2023
#Rockets rookie Amen Thompson. pic.twitter.com/RqgPJg0MuV
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) October 6, 2023
Asked Cam Whitmore about playing in transition with Amen Thompson:
"Scary. That's the one word to describe it."
📺 https://t.co/YklBkkLkQj pic.twitter.com/LJYT8kZMH0
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 6, 2023
Amen Thompson’s court vision is crazy 🔥
(h/t @Nolimitdevvo) pic.twitter.com/m8CdrXApMi
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 6, 2023
Amen Thompson’s shooting form looks a lot better already. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/sK5QgEIqbk
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) October 6, 2023
The Amen Thompson highlight reel this season is going to be insane
Elite athleticism and elite court vision is a scary combo pic.twitter.com/RKQEae5MMq
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) October 4, 2023
Amen Thompson: "I put a lot of hours in with (lead assistant) Ben Sullivan just on my jump shot and I feel way more confident than I did even going into summer league." #Rockets https://t.co/RrsRRpIOtz pic.twitter.com/DVDAY0T9gW
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) September 29, 2023
Amen Thompson getting up shots pic.twitter.com/59z8HUsx8L
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 4, 2023
From @KellyIko with Amen Thompson.
He gets it. I'm telling you, this kid is one to watch… pic.twitter.com/LKGwWYvRhy
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) October 4, 2023
Amen Thompson on his 2023-24 goals:
“To win Rookie of the Year, be on the All-Defensive Team, and make the playoffs.” #Rockets pic.twitter.com/LDQNrbICLK
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 2, 2023
Dear Houston Rockets Fans,
Let me drop this three second clip of rookie guard Amen Thompson from day one of training camp in your life to bring you joy and happiness…#Rockets #Sarge #ThankMeLater @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/7keGiKvDAu— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 4, 2023
I see Amen Thompson and Tari Eason draining threes.
Scary development for the rest of the NBA pic.twitter.com/37EmZXIP5r
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) October 5, 2023
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was impressed by some of the things he seen from rookie guard Amen Thompson on the first day of training camp. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/QpCYTrJj9c
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 4, 2023
Ime Udoka on Amen Thompson: "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." https://t.co/RGXNskN19w
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 6, 2023
