Thompson twins could get Jamaican basketball to the Olympics

Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets and his twin brother Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons are reportedly in the process of receiving Jamaican citizenship, with the possibility of representing Jamaica in international play.

Their father Troy's family is Jamaican, and has an Olympics history: Uncle Mark Thompson ran the 400 meter hurdles for Jamaica at the 1992 Olympics, while his wife, Pauline Davis-Thompson, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist sprinter for the Bahamas, and competed in five Olympic Games.

Jamaica is actively beefing up its basketball program, having added Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell to its program back in April.

Jamaica hasn't had much success in international basketball before, maxing out at the FIBA Americas championship in 2013. Now, Powell is joining up for the Americas portion of the pre-qualifiers for the FIBA World Cup, scheduled for 2027, in Qatar this August. If Jamaica could also add the Thompson brothers, it would receive a huge leg up in its competition with Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Amen Thompson made the All-Defensive first team after a breakthrough sophomore season with the Rockets, while Ausar Thompson became one of the Pistons' essential players in their run to the playoffs, after missing eight months with blood clot issues. The duo might not make Jamaica a medalist, but along with Powell, it could certainly get it into the World Cup and from that, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Bahamas could be the inspiration for Jamaica's push. Thanks to NBA players Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield and Eric Gordon, plus projected top draft pick V.J. Edgecombe, the tiny Caribbean nation upset powerhouse Argentina and came one game away from qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Right now, Jamaica just needs to get through the pre-qualifiers.

Jamaica is reportedly interested in recruiting more NBA players, such as center Nick Richards from the Phoenix Suns, guard Josh Minott and another set of twins: Justin and Julian Champagnie.

Regardless of what happens in the pre-qualifiers, it would be fun to see the Thompson twins as teammates again, especially if that happens at the Olympic Games.