Ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, one of the biggest knocks for Amen Thompson was his level of competition in the Overtime Elite basketball league.
He and his brother, Ausar, obviously stood out from an athletic perspective, skying high for dunks, blocks and everything in between. But there were plenty of concerns, namely if their production was merely them being more talented than their then-peers.
Now, after a few preseason games, it’s clear Thompson’s dynamism as an athlete and feel for the game of basketball were always going to translate seamlessly. And it could even be a good reference point for future OTE prospects, too.
Concerns still muddied the waters after his first ever NBA preseason game, which Thompson shot 1-for-9 from the field in. But even his biggest doubters were likely able to see the flashes: an elite first step, highlight-level passes, innate defensive instincts.
In the next two games, those things carried over seamlessly.
Against the Pelicans, Thompson added 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting, four assists and two rebounds. He looked noticeably more solid on the offensive end, continuing to get to the line and even known down a 3-pointer.
His game against the Spurs on Monday was his best yet. He poured on 15 points in just 21 minutes, shooting 46 percent from the field, nailing two triples and thriving on the defensive end, too. He added two steal and one block and assists apiece.
Thompson is, of course, far from being a complete player ready to dominate the NBA. But his fast start is certainly a positive for an ever-improving player. And it’s clear he’s going to fit in the NBA for a long time.
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