#7 Ausar Thompson
Height: 6’7
Weight: 207
Team: City Reapers
Position: SG
Class: Two Years in Overtime Elite
WHO
Ausar Thompson is and has been one of the nation’s most hyped prospects over the last few years, starting with his high school career at Pine Crest (FL). He played as an eighth-grader, and along with twin brother Amen, started breaking out his sophomore season. He averaged 17.6 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.1 steals. After winning the state title his junior year with Pinecrest, averaging 22.6 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1 block, he and Amen moved to Overtime Elite.
At Overtime Elite, Thompson was solid. Although his team mainly played sports schools like Spire Institute and International Sports Academy, he showed a level of scoring that drew lots of interest from NBA scouts. Thompson even won Finals MVP in the first season, and despite the lack of games, Thompson established consistency and continuity, winning Finals MVP in the best-of-three finale.
Ausar dominated in this edition of the Overtime Elite along with Amen, winning the league for the second time straight, this time with the City Reapers. Ausar dominated, averaging 16.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and collecting the regular season MVP trophy. He showed his clutchness, as he fired a three-pointer in Game 3 of the OTE Finals against the YNG Dreamerz with little over two seconds left to clinch the title.
Ausar can be a primary ballhandler, a dependable playmaker, a cutthroat scorer, and a lockdown defender for his lottery team. He’s athletic, with a bounciness that allows him to both soar above his defenders. He can finish under the rim, and although he needs polishing with his jump shot, he shows a lot of promise on offense.
Ausar is also a pretty good defender. With his height in the perimeter, he sees the floor really well and can read the game, allowing him to get steals and the occasional block. He’s a pest on defense, someone who really can shutdown a guard on any given night.
WHY
Ausar Thompson is a natural fit for several teams looking to rebuild in the lottery. He’s consistent on defense, with his physicality and strength. He’s also not a bad playmaker, and although his jump shot needs work, his potential is too good to pass up on. If he falls to the Mavs, he would be perfect in a lineup with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. He has the potential to be a top-seven pick, but don’t be surprised if he falls down later in the lottery, not just because of the question surrounding Thompson’s game, but also their age and the level of competition they’ve faced in Overtime Elite.
PRO SCOUT QUOTES
He does so much on the court. He’s a high-level athlete in transition, but also a very heady passer even if he isn’t the initiator his brother is. He profiles to be great both at the point-of-attack as well as a ferocious secondary rim protector for being 6’7”. His biggest weakness, as we will see, is his shot.
Logan Thompson, Mavs Moneyball
Ausar Thompson is on the shortlist of best athletes in the draft, right neck-and-neck with his brother. The dude floats. He can detonate above the rim, or stay suspended in midair for a difficult finesse finish around traffic. He explodes downhill with an unstoppable first step and he can change up speeds just as fast, frequently keeping his defender off-balance.
Christopher Kline, Fansided
Thompson has an elite handle and burst to create separation from defenders off the dribble. It’s not far-fetched to say that he has one of the best handles in the entire draft. The versatile wing has shown good touch around the rim, positional size, and elite athleticism which could allow him to be one of the top slashers in the draft. The athletic wing has his struggles finishing through contact but the tools and upside is there for him to be an elite finisher around the rim.
Isaac Condra, SI.com
Defensively, he’s a star in the making. He’s great on or off the ball, excellent on the perimeter, switchy, and capable of becoming a problem in the frontcourt too once he gets stronger. He’s already a good rebounder.
Tim Galbraith, Piston Powered
Most impressive to me when looking at Ausar’s defense is how he functions as a team defender, helping when necessary but never leaving his man alone. He knows his athleticism is a tool, but he’s not trigger-happy when it comes to defending the rim, averaging 0.8 blocks per game and holding offenses to 11-of-31 (35.5%) shooting inside.
Damon Allred, Piston Powered
