Detroit Pistons Rookie Speaks on Season-Ending Medical Diagnosis

With the fifth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons selected Ausar Thompson. The versatile forward had a strong start to his rookie campaign, but things ended early for him following a scary medical diagnosis.

Early in March, Thompson would end up being shut down for the season due to medical reasons. He went on to miss the final 20 games of the year after being diagnosed with a blood clot.

On Sunday afternoon, the Pistons finished up their regular season schedule against the San Antonio Spurs. The following day, the team began holding exit interviews. Among those to speak on Monday was the rookie forward.

Thompson opened up on his diagnosis and what it could mean for him down the road. When asked about the days prior to being shut down, the former lottery pick admitted that he wasn’t feeling himself physically.

"I was not feeling myself fully,” Thompson said Monday. “The doctors brought me over, we found it out, and now I’m on a mental and physical journey to get back. I’ve been taking it one day at a time, knowing this is a tough spot, but nothing I can’t get through."

While it’s been a little over a month since the diagnosis, Thompson still doesn’t know much in regards to long-term impact. His biggest focus is trying to rejoin his teammates on the court.

"They said nothing about how it'll impact me going forward,” He continued. “I'm just trying to focus on now. I want to get back with the guys as soon as possible."

Before he was shut down, Thompson was showing the potential to be an athletic, do-it-all wing for the Pistons. Across 63 games, he averaged 8.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 0.9 BPG.