The NBA’s Rookie of the Year race seems to be going just as many expected as we head into the 2024 All-Star break. San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama is topping many of the voters’ lists as he’s putting together an impressive campaign.
While many anticipated Wembanyama topping the Rookie of the Year race as he generated superstar buzz throughout the draft process, his presence in the player pool didn’t necessarily overshadow the class.
There were a lot of strong selections at the time, and the Detroit Pistons had the opportunity to add a young game-changer with the fifth overall pick in 2023. They went the Overtime Elite route and snagged the 21-year-old Oakland-born forward, Ausar Thompson.
With more than half of the 2023-2024 NBA season in the bag, where does Thompson rank on the NBA’s rookie ladder heading into the All-Star break?
Outside of the top five — but just inside of the top ten.
Coming in at No. 9, Thompson’s just behind Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson. Right behind Thompson is Utah Jazz rookie Keynote George.
Thompson’s emergence on the rookie ladder is significant, considering he wasn’t ranked at all during the previous week’s rundown. But as the Pistons hit the road for a five-game stretch, Thompson was productive as the Pistons put together consecutive wins for the first time since October.
Prior to the Valentine’s Day matchup in Phoenix, Thompson averaged 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists while shooting 55 percent from the field. When the Pistons wrapped up their final game before the break, he followed with another efficient shooting outing, scoring 14 points and racking up seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal in the loss to the Suns.
A handful of prospects drafted after Thompson are putting together considerable rookie campaigns to earn spots ahead of the Pistons’ rookie on the ladder. Perhaps Thompson will continue to move in the right direction with his development and climb further in the right direction after a needed week off.
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