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Jalen Green Delivers Strong Message on Rockets Forward Amen Thompson

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dillon Graff | Last updated Feb 1, 2025 9:55 PM ET

The Houston Rockets' young core continues to turn heads, and second-year wing Amen Thompson has been at the center of that conversation.

His recent stretch has turned heads, including a 23-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against Cleveland and a 33-point, nine-rebound effort against the defending champion Celtics. It’s not just NBA analysts taking notice—his teammate, Jalen Green, is also singing his praises.

In a recent interview with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report, Green didn’t hold back in his assessment of Thompson’s rapid rise.

He described the 21-year-old as a "walking double-double" and a defensive menace who takes on the toughest assignments night after night. Green emphasized that if Thompson continues improving his jump shot, he'll become virtually unguardable for opposing defenses.

"The stuff that he's been doing lately has been crazy," Green said. "He's a walking double-double. If his trey-ball and middie is falling, it's even scarier because you can't stop him downhill. He's gonna guard the best player every night. He's gonna rebound, get cutbacks, and he's a great person.

"When you've got all that together in one, he's born to be a superstar."

Thompson’s emergence has been particularly crucial in recent weeks, as he's stepped into a larger role following Jabari Smith Jr.'s hand injury.

Through 44 games this season, including 17 starts, the 6-foot-7 forward is putting up 13.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. In the games that Thompson has drawn the start, he's been even better, averaging 18.1 points on an impressive 56.5% shooting, along with 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game.

His two-way impact has been a game-changer for Houston, giving head coach Ime Udoka another versatile weapon alongside Green, Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and all-star center Alperen Sengun.

At just 22 years old, Thompson is only scratching the surface of his potential. And if his trajectory continues at this pace, Green's bold claim—that he was "born to be a superstar"—might not be far from reality.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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