A key attribute could enable All-Defensive Team Houston Rockets wing Amen Thompson to take the All-Star leap in 2025-26, according to one NBA insider.
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Thompson already took a massive leap in 2024-25, while helping propel Houston back to the playoffs for the first time in five years.
In just his second season with the 52-30 Rockets, the 22-year-old shooting guard/small forward averaged 14.1 points on .557/.275/.684 shooting splits, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks across 69 contests (42 starts).
Thompson on the rise
Steve Aschburner of NBA.com posits that Amen Thompson and/or his identical twin brother Ausar Thompson, a swingman on the Detroit Pistons, could both be named to their first All-Star teams this coming season.
“The athletic ability of these twins is off the charts, so if either develops a more reliable offensive package, he could accompany an All-Star teammate – [Rockets center Alperen] Sengun or [Pistons point guard] Cunningham, respectively – as his team’s second choice.”
Of course — barring injury — the Rockets will have another All-Star on their roster next season beyond center Alperen Sengun, 15-time All-Star power forward Kevin Durant.
If both Amen and Ausar Thompson made the cut during the same season, they’d be the first twins to do so in 55 years.
“Amen already played on All-Star Sunday via the roundabout mini-tournament last year that included a Rising Stars unit,” Aschburner observes. “But we’re talking about the big game – one that twins Dick and Tom Van Arsdale reached together in 1970 and 1971.”
Thompson’s abilities as a fastbreaking, downhill scorer and his emergence as one of the best perimeter defenders in the game already have helped him become an essential cog in head coach Ime Udoka’s vicious two-way attack. But he has room to grow as a scorer, especially if he can develop his 3-point jump shot.
With the Rockets primed to grow into true contention this year thanks to the advent of Durant, the 2014 MVP’s arrival could prove to be a tide that lifts all ships. Houston boasts an intriguing youth movement around pricey 30-plus standouts Durant and point guard Fred VanVleet, plus new veteran signings Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela.
The club’s youthful core of Sengun, Thompson, forward Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and perhaps 2024 lottery pick Reed Sheppard could all take major leaps this year.
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