Brooklyn is set to host the highly anticipated NBA Draft on Thursday, where the lives of 60 young men are poised to undergo a transformative change.
The draft consists of two rounds, with 30 teams making their selections based on their performance in the previous season. The teams with the worst records get the earliest picks, granting them access to the top-tier talent.
This year’s draft is headlined by the extraordinary French sensation, Victor Wembenyama, towering at an impressive 7’3″. He is considered one of the most hyped prospects ever and is expected to sign with the San Antonio Spurs.
Following Wembenyama, two American prospects are poised to make their mark: 19-year-old Scoot Henderson, an explosive 6’2″ guard who has showcased his skills in the NBA’s developmental ‘G-league’ over the past two seasons, and 20-year-old Brandon Miller, a smooth 6’9″ forward who shined at the University of Alabama.
Beyond these projected picks, the draft becomes a realm of uncertainty.
Among those eagerly vying for a high selection are Amen and Ausar Thompson, a pair of 20-year-old identical twins aiming to become the first brothers ever drafted in the top 10.
Sport News Center recently interviewed the Thompson twins, shedding light on their unconventional path to the 2023 NBA Draft.
“I aspire to achieve five Championships, MVP titles, and Defensive Player of the Year awards,” Ausar Thompson passionately expressed to Sport News Center, emphasizing his lofty ambitions for multiple accolades and accomplishments.
Standing tall at 6’7″, Thompson has never been one to settle for mediocrity.
Thompson, a high-flying wing player, and his brother Amen, a skilled point guard, were born and raised in Oakland, California. At the age of 13, eager to gain national recognition, the twins made a daring move, journeying over 3000 miles to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to attend Pine Crest High School—a small private institution worlds away from the public school system they were accustomed to.
Their bold decision paid off when the Thompsons led Pine Crest to a state championship title in 2021 and received scholarship offers from over a dozen universities. However, instead of following the traditional path of attending college at 18, the brothers opted for a riskier route.
At 17, they bypassed their final year of high school and enrolled in the upstart Overtime Elite League (OTE), an Atlanta-based program designed for 16 to 20-year-olds.
Ausar explains, “What convinced us to join OTE was the abundance of resources. They showed us the plans for the gym, which wasn’t even fully constructed at the time.”
His brother Amen adds, “[Additionally], the accessibility of trainers—whenever you need them, they’re there. They’ve undoubtedly helped us cultivate a professional mindset.”
The Thompsons enjoyed a fairytale ending at OTE, clinching the league title with their City Reapers team. Now, they depart with unwavering confidence, fully believing that they will make a significant impact in the NBA.
“I’m eagerly looking forward to facing off against Giannis [Antetokounmpo],” Ausar reveals. “If I have to guard him, I’ll certainly make it challenging.”
“I’d love to go up against players in my position, like Shae [Alexander Walker], D-Book [Devin Booker], Donovan Mitchell, Jimmy Butler, and others,” he adds.
Amen chimes in, “I’d have to mention players like LeBron [James], [Stephen] Curry, and KD [Kevin Durant].”
On Thursday, when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announces their names, Amen and Ausar will inch closer to their dreams. And then, the real game begins.
To listen to the full interview, tune in to BBC World Service’s Sportsworld.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NBA Draft
Q: Who are the Thompson twins and what are they aiming for?
A: The Thompson twins are Amen and Ausar Thompson, identical brothers from Oakland, California. They are aiming to be the first brothers ever drafted in the top 10 of the NBA Draft and aspire to make a significant impact in the NBA.
Q: What is the Overtime Elite League?
A: The Overtime Elite League (OTE) is an Atlanta-based program specifically designed for 16 to 20-year-old basketball players. It offers resources, training, and development opportunities to prepare young athletes for a professional career in basketball.
Q: What motivated the Thompson twins to join the Overtime Elite League?
A: The Thompson twins were enticed by the abundance of resources and support offered by the Overtime Elite League. They were particularly drawn to the vision of the state-of-the-art gym and the accessibility of trainers who would assist in their skill development.
Q: How did the Thompson twins fare in the Overtime Elite League?
A: The Thompson twins had a successful stint in the Overtime Elite League, culminating in winning the league title with their team, the City Reapers. Their time in the league has instilled in them unwavering confidence as they prepare for the NBA Draft.
Q: What are the ambitions of Ausar Thompson in terms of awards and achievements?
A: Ausar Thompson has ambitious goals and aspires to achieve five NBA Championships, MVP titles, and Defensive Player of the Year awards. He sets his sights high and aims to make a significant impact on both ends of the court.
Q: What are some of the players the Thompson twins are looking forward to competing against in the NBA?
A: Ausar Thompson is excited to go up against players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shae Alexander Walker, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, and Jimmy Butler. Amen Thompson mentions players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant as those he is eager to face on the court.
More about NBA Draft
- NBA Draft Official Website
- Overtime Elite League Official Website
- City Reapers Overtime Elite Team
- Sport News Center Interview with Thompson Twins
- Pine Crest High School
