The young Houston Rockets need a point guard of the future. With the No. 4 pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft, they may have found an ideal one to pair with their established young core of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun and Tari Eason.
Unlike 2022, when the board changed late and pre-draft favorite Paolo Banchero wasn’t available to Houston, 2023 front-runner Amen Thompson remained up for grabs. Rockets general manager Rafael Stone took full advantage by drafting the 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, 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 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 skills. As a result, he seemed quite happy to join the Rockets.
Here’s a look at his immediate reaction after being selected by Houston during the 2023 NBA draft at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Amen Thompson reacts to draft selection
We got our guy! 🥹 pic.twitter.com/5mFVQUB6vw
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 23, 2023
this moment 🥰 pic.twitter.com/Q1O64YHQ06
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 23, 2023
Amen Thompson, the newest member of the #Rockets pic.twitter.com/6RO3IaiqRB
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 23, 2023
Amen Thompson said he wants to work on his jump shot and ball handling this summer. Also noted he enjoys playing with others that can make as many plays for others as possible and they have them in Houston.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) June 23, 2023
Amen Thompson: "I think Houston got a lot of players that have great potential and I think they have a scary future."
(Q by @JTGatlin)
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) June 23, 2023
A message from the man himself! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/6AOVyOkru7
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 23, 2023
Amen Thompson on what he brings to the #Rockets:
"A person who wants to win at any cost. Great defender, great facilitator, and we like to finish over the rim."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 23, 2023
Amen Thompson on what he told teams about shooting concerns: "I'm willing to work on it and show them the best parts of my game."
On what he will do to improve: "Constant hours in the gym. Constant hours with the shooting coach." https://t.co/hWE2qm68sU
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 23, 2023
Amen Thompson yday on which player he watches that reminds him of him: "I think SGA is a player I like to watch. We have similar skill sets and similar size. He doesn't need to shoot a lot of 3s to do what he needs to do. He knows what his game is just like I feel like I do."
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 23, 2023
Asked Amen Thompson about his leadership:
"I've become more of a vocal leader, but first I lead by example. I think I can bring that to Houston. I think Houston got a lot of players that have great potential. I think they have a scary future."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 23, 2023
Amen Thompson on how he fits with Jalen Green:
"I see two very athletic guards who can push the tempo, push the pace, both ball handlers. I like to be on a team with as many people who can make plays for us as possible, and I think that's what we've got over there."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 23, 2023
Amen Thompson on getting drafted to Houston:
"It just feels great to be a Houston Rocket. I thought I had a great interview, great workout with them. I thought I saw family over there, and I thought I saw a future in Houston. So it's great to be there."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 23, 2023
