NBA Draft Film Breakdown: Overtime Elite’s Ausar Thompson In The OTE Finals

The City Reapers wing Ausar Thompson showcased his two-way ability all season long and topped it off with a game winning three to win the OTE championship

The league MVP was clearly the best player in the finals due to his elite two-way impact. He was extremely efficient with his scoring, made big time shots and was a defensive playmaker all series long. Let's breakdown his game and talk about what he did well and some areas of improvement.

Stats

In the Overtime Elite Finals, Thompson averaged 21.3 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, 2.7 turnovers and 2 fouls per game.

He shot 45.8% from the field, 41.7% from three and 83.3% from the free-throw line.

Shooting

Thompson was on absolute fire in the finals from three as he shot 41.7% from three on eight attempts per game. The shooting improvements he has made in a year are eye popping. In his first season with OTE, he shot 24.5% from three in the half-court.

The shooting touch has always been there but he had some mechanical issues with his jump-shot entering his senior year. Since then, he has improved upon his shot mechanics. The improved balance, footwork and shot release has changed his shooting projection.

He’s even showcasing versatility as a shooter with tough shot-making ability from three and the mid-range. Thompson is another example of why I value ‘touch’ so much when projecting a prospect’s shooting upside. I believe he’ll be a respectable shooter in the NBA.

This is a really tough shot by Ausar Thompson. I’m a believer in his shooting potential due to his touch and shooting improvements. Tough shot-maker with great touch from all over the floor. He shot 41.7% from three in the OTE finals on eight attempts per game in three games. pic.twitter.com/egUpcTiM2r

— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) March 8, 2023

Finishing

Thompson was an efficient finisher in the finals as he shot 62.3% on all shot attempts around the rim. He’s super dynamic in transition with his open floor speed and great touch around the rim.

The combination of the jumper becoming more respectable and his burst being so effortlessly quick, it makes it so hard keeping him out of the paint. He’s a rim pressuring wing that has shown a lot of versatility as a finisher around the rim.

There are times where he has struggled finishing through contact but I don’t believe that’s too worrisome. The reason I don’t believe it’s too concerning is because of the great touch he has shown at the rim, his good frame and the exceptional athleticism he possesses.

Great blow-by here by Ausar Thompson. His burst is effortlessly quick. With the jumper becoming more respectable this year, it makes it so much harder keeping him out of the paint. Has a lot of versatility as a finisher around the rim. Has made strides in year two with OTE. pic.twitter.com/bJB4Tuu96H

— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) March 10, 2023

Playmaking

I believe the big separator between Ausar and Amen is their passing abilities. While Ausar is a good passer, he’s much more comfortable being a score first wing. When watching him be a primary ball-handler or try to be a creator for others, it doesn’t look nearly as pretty as you’d like it. Oftentimes his passes are a bit too inaccurate.

From what I've seen, the passes usually go too high. He doesn’t make the advanced reads which’ll limit his playmaking upside a bit in the NBA. In the finals he had nearly averaged as many turnovers as he did assists. With that being said he was also averaging 20-plus points per game in the finals.

While I do believe Ausar Thompson is a good passing wing, he’s more comfortable scoring the ball than being a creator for others. Sometimes throws inaccurate passes and not a primary creator in my eyes. In the OTE finals he nearly averaged as many turnovers as he did assists. pic.twitter.com/NoHehFVMj7

— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) March 10, 2023

Defense

I strongly believe that his defensive ability is his best skill as of today. He showed off his defensive playmaking ability as he averaged nearly three steals and a block per game in the OTE finals.

There’s a valid argument to be made that he’s the best point of attack defensive prospect in the upcoming draft. He’s an alert defender that has elite instincts and tools to work with. Currently stands at 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and elite athleticism.

In my five years of evaluating talent, he’s the best rim protecting wing I’ve seen. He has special timing and ground coverage with a 40-plus inch vertical. In the NBA he should be able to defend one through four effectively.

Ausar Thompson make a legitimate case as the best point of attack defender in the 2023 NBA Draft. Has the tools at 6’7” with a 6’10” wingspan. Unreal defensive instincts and playmaking ability (3.4 stocks in the OTE finals). Has the lateral quickness to contain ball-handlers. Not… pic.twitter.com/OxKmn8l4yq

— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) March 10, 2023

Overall

The two time OTE finals MVP and champion was exceptional all series long on both ends of the floor and his stock couldn’t be anymore higher than what it is right now. He showcased elite versatility on the defensive end as he made a countless amount of winning plays. He made multiple clutch baskets when needed which showcased his three level scoring upside.

With the improvements he has made as a player in OTE and the success he has had within the league the last two seasons, is there a chance he gets considered for the third overall pick? We’re obviously still months away from draft night, but I wouldn’t count out the chances of Ausar being the first twin drafted in June.

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