If the Victor Wembanyama – Chet Holmgren duel is already livening up the debates on the future rookie of the year 2024 trophy, a third rookie is seriously talking about him at the start of the season. This is Ausar Thompson.
It must be said that the winger is impressive defensively, with his energy and sense of timing.
“It’s good (the attack), it allows you to get paid. But that doesn’t win matches,” he explains to The Athleticrecalling the attackers he observed in his childhood. “Finally, it wins matches but, at the end of the day, you have to be complete. I like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Scottie Pippen, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, players who are strong on both ends of the court. I think it has to do with NBA titles. Not only to greatness, but also to respect. »
He also insists on this last point. “Now that I’m older and I’m in the NBA, I want to be a player that young people respect. For this, we must fight. »
Rare statistics for a player of his size
The figures clearly show the efforts made by Ausar Thompson on the floors. He is only 1m98 tall but, in addition to his 11.3 points average, averages 10.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 steals per game.
Compiling at least 10 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1 interception when you’re no taller than 1m98 doesn’t happen every day. It’s even very, very rare: only Gar Heard and Charles Barkley (twice) can boast of it in the history of the NBA (blocks and interceptions have only been counted since 1973/74).
“I am a unicorn even though I don’t physically fit what people see as a unicorn,” he judges when faced with this term used in particular to describe Victor Wembanyama. “Because what I do on the court, the statistics show, has only been done by two players before me. »
We must now maintain the distance and also progress offensively, particularly at 3-points where he has posted a very poor 13% success rate since the start of the season. Without neglecting his defensive qualities.
“When the offense is running at full speed, that’s something I hope to never lose,” announces Amen’s brother. “I never want to lose my status as a player who is going to throw himself on the floor. »
| Ausar Thompson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | DET | 15 | 30 | 43.9 | 13.8 | 69.8 | 3.7 | 6.3 | 10.1 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 11.3 |
| Total | 15 | 30 | 43.9 | 13.8 | 69.8 | 3.7 | 6.3 | 10.1 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 11.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
