Ausar Thompson has potential to be two-way dynamo

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Ausar Thompson has potential to be two-way dynamo on the wing originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

The Washington Wizards have the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Here is the latest in our series of draft prospects who could fall around where the Wizards will select…

2023 NBA Draft Wizards Prospect Profile: Ausar Thompson

Team: Overtime Elite (City Reapers)

Position: Shooting guard/Small forward

Age: 20

Height: 6-7

Weight: 210

Wingspan: 7-0

2022/23 stats: 16 G, 16.3 ppg, 6.1 apg, 6.9 rpg, 2.7 spg, 1.3 bpg, 48.1 FG% (6.0/12.5), 29.8 3PT% (1.1/3.8), 66.2 FT% (3.1/4/7)

Player comparison: Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler

Projections: NBC Sports Washington 6th, Ringer 6th, Athletic 9th, ESPN 6th, NBADraft.net 7th, Bleacher Report 8th

5 things to know:

– Thompson and his twin brother, Amen, are both projected to be high lottery picks this year with Amen getting a slight edge in the eyes of most mock draft writers. Amen could be off the board by pick No. 5, whereas Ausar could get picked somewhere between picks No. 6 and 9. Either way, both twins offer teams the potential for a generational talent. Amen plays point guard, with Ausar playing on the wing. Both brothers played for the Overtime Elite for the past two seasons — a professional league for 16-20-year-olds based in Atlanta — deciding to forego their college eligibility.

– Ausar Thompson’s biggest strengths lie in his athleticism and defense. He’s got a 6-foot-7 frame on the wing with tremendous bounce and a quick burst. Think early-career Ben Simmons. Thompson’s most immediate impact in the NBA will likely be as an on-ball defender from the point of attack and with a 7-foot wingspan, you can easily see why offenses try their hardest to get the ball out of his way. With his supreme athleticism and his swift movement, he’s a good bet to be a good-to-great defender in the NBA at all three levels on the floor.

– Offensively, Thompson’s biggest strengths are his creation and driving ability. When he gets the opportunity to run and orchestrate the offense, even as a wing, he has a knack for getting past his primary defender and gliding into the lane…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-draft-profile-ausar-200000131.html?src=rss

Author : NBC Sports Washington

Publish date : 2023-06-05 20:00:00

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