2023 NBA Draft: Ausar Thompson Offers High Floor, High Ceiling

There’s not often high floor, high ceiling prospects in regards to the NBA Draft, but Ausar Thompson of the Overtime Elite offers both short-term value and long-term upside.

Understandably not quite as heralded as his twin brother, Amen, Ausar has plenty of valuable qualities that are likely going to lead to him still being a top ten-ish draft pick.

At 6-foot-7 with a plus wingspan, ultra-athleticism and innate defensive instincts, Thompson will earn playing time pretty quickly in his professional career.

Firstly, let’s talk short-term.

Thompson has already become a potent off-ball threat, averaging around 17 points per game for the City Reapers in OTE. He’s revamped his jump-shot, leading to an already significant spike in efficiency, and has enough in his move-set to generate paint touches and create space for himself.

There’s a moderate chance he’s nothing more than solid wing scorer and defender in the NBA, but even so, he’ll be on the higher end of those (who are coveted) due to pure fluidity and athleticism.

He’s already an NBA-ready defender, and stands to keep getting better on the end of the court.

There’s several teams in the six to fourteen range that would be ecstatic with an immediate infusion of the bounce and feel that Thompson offers.

And if he doesn’t hit his ceiling, he’ll be a good NBA player. But long-term, Ausar offers legitimate high-ceiling attributes for teams who could give him the chance.

Amen has some more of the unteachable traits, namely playmaking, that lead to him being the higher ranked prospect in the class. But Ausar has some of the same feel and fluidity.

The biggest obstacle to Ausar hitting his ceiling are his decision-making and passing chops. But he has great footwork and great feel overall. He knows and plays his role well, but a team with patience could expand that role as he learns the ins-and-outs of the NBA.

Of course, any player hitting his ceiling is a long shot. But when a player displays unteachable attributes that Ausar does, it’s hard not to envision more than just an athletic, off-ball wing.

Most simply, I can't envision a world where Ausar Thompson isn't in the least a good NBA player, and there's also a world where he ends up a great one. Vis-a-vis: high-floor, high-ceiling.

The Thompson twins are back in action at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6 versus the Cold Hearts.

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