AN ALL-AROUND arsenal of weapons in his bag has seen Amen Thompson climb into the top three of many mock NBA Drafts around the country.

The 19-year-old has some of the highest potential in the 2023 NBA Draft class, given Thompson is the size of a forward but has the mind of a point guard, making him a perfect fit for the modern game and a difficult matchup at the top level.

Thompson and his twin brother Ausar have chosen the path less travelled to the NBA, opting against College and the G-League, instead signing in the Overtime League, which may cloud the accuracy of his scouting. However, it is evident that he is a talented prospect, and could grow into a star point forward in the coming years.

Amen Thompson

TEAM: Overtime City Reapers
POSITION: Guard
DOB: 30/01/2003
HEIGHT: 6ft 7in
WEIGHT: 199lbs

Thompson looks set to become another of the taller guard prospects that have been entering the NBA in the last five years. He is a great size for a combo guard, with players standing six-foot-six or higher typically known as forwards this time 10 years ago. With the game changing, Thompson is a tantalising prospect for any NBA team looking to find a guard for the future.

With a quick first step, the 19-year-old can break past the opposition with pace, and his size allows him to finish at the rim with no issues at all. Thompson possesses some explosive athleticism and has thrown down some thunderous dunks for the Reapers. He can even avoid contact inside by throwing down reverse dunks, which is a fair indication of how skilled Thompson is athletically. You would be forgiven for thinking the rim had been lowered when the guard was slashing towards the hoop.

In terms of IQ and feel for the game, there are not many better in the draft class than Thompson, who is an excellent playmaker. He is extremely selfless, sometimes to a fault, but always looks to make the right play with ball in hand. On the drive, the guard’s eyes almost always turn to the perimeter as he looks to find a wide-open teammate.

With tight handles, he can break down the defender in isolation or in a half-court set, using his long reach to maintain possession of the ball despite the tightest of defence. In terms of areas of improvement, Thompson is not the most talented shooter, struggling to evolve into a three-point threat as the primary ball handler. Given his willingness to drive to the hoop, it would benefit the guard to improve his accuracy at the free throw line as well, given he will draw plenty of contact in the NBA.

Thompson has plenty of assets to bring to the table, and looms likely to hear his name read out with the third pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He will prove extremely valuable to the team that drafts him and has the potential to become a star guard in the world’s best league.