The Thompson Twins: 5 Shocking Updates On Amen & Ausar’s 2025 NBA Season—Who Is The Better Star?
The Thompson Twins, Amen and Ausar, have captivated the NBA world since they made history as the first pair of brothers to be drafted in the top five of the same NBA Draft in 2023. As of this current date, December 22, 2025, their sophomore seasons have been defined by explosive growth, defensive mastery, and a concerning health scare, establishing them as two of the most intriguing young prospects in the league. Their unique journey from the revolutionary Overtime Elite program to key rotational players for the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons has made every matchup and stat line a must-watch event for fans and analysts alike.
Their parallel yet distinct careers offer a fascinating case study in player development, with Amen showcasing elite playmaking and finishing, while Ausar has solidified his status as a premier perimeter defender. This deep dive reveals the latest, most critical updates from their 2024-2025 campaigns, breaks down the key differences in their games, and attempts to answer the question everyone is asking: which Thompson twin is currently the better NBA player?
Amen and Ausar Thompson: Full Biography and Career Profile
The Thompson twins share one of the most unique backstories in modern professional basketball, bypassing the traditional college route for a groundbreaking alternative league.
- Full Names: Ameiz XLNC Thompson (Amen) and Ausar Thompson.
- Born: January 30, 2003, in Oakland, California.
- Height: Amen is listed at 6'7" (201 cm) and Ausar at 6'6" (198 cm).
- Weight: Both players are listed around 215 lbs.
- Pre-NBA Path: They famously skipped college to join the fledgling Overtime Elite (OTE) league, signing landmark contracts. This decision was pivotal in their development as two-way prospects.
- NBA Draft: 2023 NBA Draft. Amen Thompson was selected 4th overall by the Houston Rockets. Ausar Thompson was selected immediately after, 5th overall, by the Detroit Pistons.
- Current Teams: Amen plays for the Houston Rockets, and Ausar plays for the Detroit Pistons.
- Primary Positions: Amen primarily plays Small Forward and Point Guard, leveraging his elite athleticism and passing vision. Ausar is a versatile Small Forward/Shooting Guard, known for his defensive prowess.
The 2024-2025 Season Shockers: Stats, Injuries, and Explosive Growth
The Thompson twins' second NBA season has been a tale of two distinct paths, marked by a breakout for one and a major health scare for the other, proving that sophomore slump is not in their vocabulary.
Amen Thompson’s Breakout Year with the Rockets
Amen Thompson has taken a significant leap forward in the 2024-2025 season, establishing himself as a foundational piece for the Houston Rockets alongside young stars like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun.
His season averages through the bulk of the schedule were impressive, showcasing his all-around impact: he averaged 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists over 69 regular season games. His ability to rebound at an elite level for a guard/wing (8.2 RPG) is a major differentiating factor, often leading to fast-break opportunities. Furthermore, Amen gained valuable playoff experience, putting up 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 7 playoff contests, proving his game translates to the biggest stage.
The Rockets have increasingly utilized Amen as a primary ball-handler and playmaker, a role that leverages his explosive first step and creative finishing ability around the rim.
Ausar Thompson’s Defense and Blood Clot Scare
Ausar Thompson's 2024-2025 campaign with the Detroit Pistons was a difficult, stop-start affair, but his impact on the court remained undeniable. Ausar’s season was unfortunately delayed due to a serious health issue: a blood clot. He did not make his season debut until the end of November, forcing him to miss a significant portion of the early schedule.
Despite the setback, Ausar quickly reminded the league of his elite defensive potential. In his 59 games, he averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. More critically, his defensive stats jumped off the page: he averaged a staggering 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. This defensive versatility—guarding multiple positions and disrupting passing lanes—solidifies his reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in the NBA.
The Pistons relied on Ausar to anchor their perimeter defense, a critical role for the rebuilding franchise. His high energy and defensive intensity, including an on-court incident where he nearly came to blows with a Rockets forward, show his competitive fire.
The Great Debate: Amen vs. Ausar—Breaking Down the Key Differences
While their stat lines and career trajectories are converging, the key differences in the Thompson twins' games are what make the comparison so compelling. They are both elite athletes with similar positional size, but their offensive and defensive specializations set them apart.
The Offensive vs. Defensive Specialist
Amen Thompson is generally viewed as the higher-upside offensive player. His elite burst and creativity make him a dynamic finisher at the rim. He excels as a slasher and passer, showing a greater capacity to run the offense and generate shots for teammates, which is reflected in his higher assist numbers (3.8 APG vs. Ausar’s 2.3 APG). He is the primary playmaker, a "point-forward" in the modern NBA lexicon.
Ausar Thompson, conversely, is the defensive specialist. While his offensive game continues to develop, his ability to lock down opponents is already near the top of his position group. His steals and blocks averages are evidence of his phenomenal defensive instincts and length. He impacts the game by forcing turnovers and protecting the rim, a rare skill set for a perimeter player.
The Advanced Numbers Comparison
When looking at advanced metrics, the twins are remarkably similar, suggesting their overall impact on the court is nearly equal, just achieved in different ways. Metrics like effective field goal percentage (eFG%), points per 100 possessions (PTS/100), and total rebounding percentage (TRB%) are often nearly identical, highlighting their parallel development path. Both players are still working to improve their three-point shooting, which is the final frontier for their collective offensive evolution.
Topical Authority and Future Outlook
The Thompson twins represent the future of the NBA, embodying the league's shift toward positionless, hyper-athletic wings. Their success validates the unconventional Overtime Elite pathway, proving that top talent can thrive outside of the NCAA system. The biggest entity surrounding their careers remains the question of which player will develop a more consistent jump shot. The one who unlocks that skill first will likely separate himself as a true NBA superstar.
For the 2024-2025 season, Amen Thompson's superior offensive production and durability (playing 69 games) give him a slight edge in overall impact, especially with Ausar missing time due to the blood clot. However, Ausar Thompson's elite, game-changing defense makes the debate incredibly close. Both are on a clear trajectory to be perennial All-Stars, and their head-to-head matchups for the Rockets and Pistons will continue to be must-see television for years to come.
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