The 2023 NBA Draft is just over 24 hours away. One of the nicest things about this draft – other than a promising class – is how well it showcases the different paths to the NBA.
In last year’s drafts, you had to be a high school fixture like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant or play at least one year of college. Of course, it was different for the foreign expats who usually played professionally on their own continents before finding their way into the draft.
Today, avenues like the NBA G League and Overtime Elite offer aspiring players a path into the NBA without the need for visas and school transcripts. Such is the case for 20-year-old Ameen Thompson.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Bay Area standout opted out of his junior year of high school for the fast-track to the pro. Thompson has spent the past two years playing in the Overtime Elite, with seasons split between Team OTE and the City Reapers.
Playstyle and crafting expectations
As a junior at Pine Crest High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Thompson averaged 20.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.4 rebounds. As a result, ESPN gave him a five-star recruiting rating.
at the end season with the ReapersState line average was 16-6-6 with at least two steals. Thompson helped lead his team to the OTE League championship with a 3-0 sweep before announcing his draft.
Far from perfect, but Thompson has the potential as a well-rounded combo guard and athlete who contributes at both ends.
The numbers are noteworthy, but as for the visuals, think Lonzo Ball with more subtlety and without all the daddy drama. The two have identical structures. While the competition is much different, Thompson’s stats from OTE and Ball stats from University of California They almost mirror each other. You look at them and you can immediately tell the similarities, the same glow with different arsenals from the same manufacturer.
The main difference is that Thompson’s jump shot at this age is much more polished than Paul’s unorthodox shot was. Thompson also moves with more fluidity and control at this point – something Paul had to learn once he was in the NBA.
Like Ball, Thompson can also be a boom or bust pick. It will be interesting to see how he transitions into the NBA.
Thompson is expected to be the fourth pick for the Houston Rockets.