The 2023 NBA Draft was a historic night for twins Amen and Ausar Thompson, who became the first siblings to be selected as top 10 picks in the same draft. Amen, a 6-foot-7 point guard, was picked fourth overall by the Houston Rockets, while Ausar, a 6-foot-7 wing, was picked fifth overall by the Detroit Pistons.
The Thompson twins, who hail from San Leandro, California, skipped their senior year of high school to join the Overtime Elite program in Atlanta, where they showcased their skills and potential against other elite prospects. Amen is known for his ability to get to the rim and his deft passing, while Ausar is praised for his defensive prowess and his effectiveness in transition. Both brothers need to improve their shooting, but they have the physical tools and the work ethic to become impact players in the NBA.
The Thompson twins have been playing basketball together since they were toddlers, and they have developed a strong bond and a friendly rivalry. They credit their parents, Amen Sr. and Aisha Thompson, for instilling in them the values of hard work, discipline and education. Both brothers graduated from high school with honors and plan to pursue their college degrees online while playing in the NBA.
“We’re just blessed and grateful for this opportunity,” Amen said after being drafted by the Rockets. “We’ve been dreaming of this moment since we were kids, and we worked hard to get here. We want to thank our family, our coaches, our teammates and everyone who supported us along the way.”
Ausar echoed his brother’s sentiments and added that he was looking forward to playing against him in the NBA. “It’s a surreal feeling to be drafted by the Pistons,” he said. “I’m excited to join a young and talented team and learn from Coach [Monty] Williams. I’m also ready to compete with my brother on the court. We’ve always pushed each other to be better, and we’re not going to stop now.”
The Thompson twins have already made history by being drafted in the top 10, but they are not satisfied with that. They want to prove themselves in the NBA and make their mark on the league. They also want to inspire other young players who have similar dreams and aspirations.
“We’re not here to just be happy,” Amen said. “We’re here to work hard, improve our game and help our teams win. We also want to show other kids that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and work hard.”
Ausar agreed and said that he and his brother have a bigger purpose than just playing basketball. “We want to use our platform to make a positive impact on the world,” he said. “We want to give back to our community, support causes that we care about and be role models for the next generation.”
The Thompson twins have already achieved a lot at a young age, but they are just getting started. They have a bright future ahead of them in the NBA, and they are ready to take on any challenge that comes their way.
In the world of sports, blacks and Africans are always making history. Another great personality is Coco Gauff. Coco Gauff has been making waves in the tennis world ever since she turned pro in 2018. The 19-year-old American sensation has been shattering records and overcoming obstacles on her way to the top. Her latest achievement is winning the US Open 2023 women’s singles title, her first Grand Slam trophy.
Gauff’s path to glory has been filled with challenges and surprises. She started playing tennis at the age of six, following the footsteps of her idols Venus and Serena Williams. She moved from Atlanta to Delray Beach, Florida, with her family to access better training facilities. Her parents, both former college athletes, supported her ambitions and coached her along the way.
Gauff made her breakthrough in 2019, when she became the youngest player in Wimbledon’s history to qualify for the main draw. She shocked the world by defeating five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the first round, and reached the fourth round before losing to eventual champion Simona Halep. Later that year, she won her first WTA title in Linz, Austria, becoming the youngest singles title-holder on the Tour since 2004. Read more about Coco Tennis journey here.
