Rockets Season Preview: Amen Thompson To Take Lead As Reserve Floor General?

Described as a "true point guard," can Amen Thompson take the helm as the Houston Rockets' reserve floor general?

HOUSTON — When the Houston Rockets drafted Amen Thompson with the No. 4 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, it appeared that minutes would be hard to come by for the former OverTime Elite prospect. 

The Rockets signed Fred VanVleet to take the helm as the team's starting point guard, while Kevin Porter Jr. filled in as Houston's projected sixth man. But due to Porter's recent off-court wrongdoing, his inevitable departure will lead to the Rockets relying upon their current lottery pick earlier than expected. 

Thompson remains an enigma due to the unknowns of OverTime Elite. But his one-game outing during the Las Vegas Summer League tournament left coach Ime Udoka confident and pleased. 

"He is everything we thought he would be, and we were pleased just in that one game," Udoka said. "You see the physical traits that he has, which flashed in the pre-draft workouts. But for him, just his passing ability and defensive intensity."

The Rockets ruled Thompson out for the summer tournament after he sustained an ankle injury during the final seconds of a 100-99 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He left the Thomas & Mack Center in a walking boot the night of the injury.

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Udoka described Thompson as a "true point guard," who will get better with time. Before injuring his ankle, Thompson had put together a solid debut by contributing on both ends.

He finished the game with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, five assists, four blocks, four rebounds and three steals in 28 minutes. 

Thompson is a 6-foot-7 guard who can play on and off the ball. And on the defensive end, his size allows him to defend players one through five. And given his ball-handling and on-court vision, Thompson could take the lead as the Rockets' floor general of the second unit.

During the 2022-23 campaign, Thompson averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds for the City Reapers. His twin brother Ausar Thompson described Amen as a great shot-maker and facilitator that any ball club would be "blessed" to add to their team before the draft.

The Rockets drafted Thompson due to their faith in him for the future. But Thompson will be relied upon earlier than expected to help lay a successful foundation for phase II of their rebuilding project.

"I'm just trying to contribute to winning," Thompson said. "When I look back at my career at Overtime Elite, I do not regret anything. OTE got me prepared for the next level. It taught me how to be a pro early on, and I am thankful for the help they have given me."