Rockets Prospect Ausar Thompson Doesn't Consider 2023 Draft Is A Three-Player Class
HOUSTON — The 2023 NBA Draft is one of the most anticipated classes in recent memory, and there is a lot at stake for the Houston Rockets.
The San Antonio Spurs will select Victor Wembanyama as the top overall pick on June 22 inside the Barclays Center. And following the Spurs' pick, the next two prospects who will likely go two and three are Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson.
The prospects projected to go within the first three selections have made the 2023 draft a three-prospect class. And the notion has motivated Overtime Elite's guard Ausar Thompson.
"Everybody says there is a clear-cut top three, but that is doing the draft a disservice," Ausar said. "But at the same time, I feel like it is making a lot of underdogs. Nobody cares there are only three people in this draft class. I certainly do not feel that way. I'm trying to prove that it is not only three."
Ausar is entering the draft as a projected top-10 prospect. But his twin brother, Amen Thompson, has the potential to go higher. Most mock drafts have the Rockets choosing Amen with the No. 4 pick.
The twins took a distinctive route to the draft. They forfeited their college eligibility following their pep careers at Pine Crest School. Amen and Ausar spent the previous two years playing for Overtime Elite, a sports academy dedicated to basketball development on a professional level.
The Thompson twins feel their time at OTE gives them the upper hand over their draft contemporaries. Amen said they are familiar with the drills and sets of the NBA, which could make their transition to the league easier.
But despite being the highest-rated prospect, Amen described his brother as a great shot-maker, who can also facilitate and defend. Ausar averaged 16.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks for the City Reapers last season.
"Some of the benefits of going the Overtime Elite route is we had a lot of resources," Ausar said. "We had people who have been at the next level and coached at the next level. We know how things should be done and how hard you have to go."
Ausar is striving to add his name to the list of Bay Area legends who have made a mark on NBA history.
The most recent Bay Area native to leave his mark on the league is Portland Trail Blazers All-Star guard Damian Lillard.
Despite his desire to have the Trail Blazers trade the No. 3 pick for veteran help, Lillard was in attendance watching Amen and Ausar pre-draft workouts in Portland. Lillard defines what Ausar depicted as the Bay Area mindset — a hardworking player who possesses an underdog mentality.
Ausar believes he and his brother can immediately enhance any lottery team that acquires their services while rivaling the production of Henderson, Miller and Wembanyama.
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
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