Ausar Thompson

 

Ausar Thompson (born January 30, 2003) is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played two seasons with Overtime Elite before being selected fifth overall by the Pistons in the 2023 NBA Draft, one pick after his identical twin brother, Amen Thompson, was selected fourth by the Houston Rockets. They became the first set of twins drafted in the top five in NBA history. Standing 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) and weighing 205 pounds (93 kg), Thompson plays forward and is known for his elite defensive abilities, rebounding prowess, and explosive athleticism.

 

Early Life and Family

 

Thompson was born in Oakland, California, one minute after his twin brother Amen. Their father, Troy Thompson, was a former point guard who played college basketball at Prairie View A&M, while their mother, Maya Wilson, forbade them from playing football, steering them toward basketball. The twins shared a bedroom with their older brother Troy Jr., who played at Prairie View A&M and served as their mentor and toughest competition growing up.

 

The family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the twins attended Pine Crest School, making varsity as eighth graders. Growing up, Ausar and Amen created a family vision board at age nine that included dreams of playing in the NBA.

 

Overtime Elite Career

 

Thompson bypassed his senior year of high school to sign with Overtime Elite (OTE) on May 25, 2021, joining his brother in the new professional development league based in Atlanta. In his first season (2021-22), he played for Team Elite, averaging 14.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game. He led his team to the league championship and was named Finals MVP after recording 20 points and 11 rebounds in the decisive 52-45 victory over Team OTE.

 

In his second OTE season (2022-23), Thompson won his second consecutive championship and Finals MVP award. He was also named OTE League MVP in 2023.

 

NBA Career

 

Rookie Season (2023-24)

 

Detroit selected Thompson with the fifth overall pick on June 22, 2023. He made his NBA debut on October 25, 2023, recording 4 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 blocks in a 103-102 loss to Miami, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record at least five blocks in a debut at 20 years and 269 days old.

 

Thompson played in 63 games (38 starts) during his rookie season, averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 25.1 minutes per game. He established himself as an elite rebounder and defender, recording double-digit rebounds in eight of his first 14 games along with 17 steals and 24 blocks during that span. On March 20, 2024, Thompson was shut down for the remainder of the season after being treated for a blood clot.

 

Sophomore Season (2025-26)

 

The Pistons exercised Thompson’s team options for both 2025-26 ($8.78 million) and 2026-27 ($11.12 million) in October 2024 and 2025, respectively. Thompson was named to the 2025 Rising Stars Game alongside his brother Amen, marking the first time they played together since their final OTE season.

 

He was recently named the Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for January 2026, a stretch where he averaged 2.4 steals and nearly a block per game, solidifying his case for an All-Defensive team selection this year. He serves as a key defensive cornerstone for Detroit’s second-ranked defense and is regularly assigned to guard opponents’ best perimeter players. His poor shooting remains a limitation, but his two-way impact, energy, and physicality have made him indispensable to the Pistons’ dramatic turnaround.

 

Playing Style

 

Thompson is an effort-first player known for his relentless defense, elite rebounding from the wing position, and explosive athleticism. He excels at jumping passing lanes, shot-blocking despite his size, and initiating fast breaks. Offensively, he thrives attacking the basket with a head of steam and is an excellent passer. NBA comparisons include a more passing-focused Jimmy Butler and a bouncier Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

 

References

 

External Links

* Ausar Thompson on NBA.com

* Ausar Thompson on Basketball-Reference.com