During Monday’s press conference from Houston’s NBA home of Toyota Center, newly drafted rookie Amen Thompson (No. 4 pick in the 2023 first round) offered perspective on joining the Rockets along with expectations for his rookie season of 2023-24 and beyond.
Thompson took the stage alongside head coach Ime Udoka, general manager Rafael Stone, and fellow rookie Cam Whitmore (the No. 20 pick). To say the last, Thompson seemed to be enjoying the scene.
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“I can bring leadership, defense, intangibles, being a good locker room guy… these things I can bring to the team immediately,” said Thompson, who declared that he was exicted to be a Rocket.
Eventually, though, he has higher goals.
“Hopefully a lot of championships,” Thompson said when asked what he wants his NBA career to look like. “A winning player. Someone who will do anything for his team. Some MVPs [Most Valuable Player], some DPOYs [Defensive Player of the Year].”
Here’s a roundup of key takeaways that Thompson told reporters. With Whitmore and Thompson leading the way, Houston’s 2023 summer league roster begins play on Friday, July 7, in Las Vegas.
Amen Thompson on what he wants his career to look like:
“Hopefully a lot of championships. A winning player. Someone who will do anything for his team. Some MVPs, some DPOYs.”
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 26, 2023
“He’s the blueprint, He’s a role model for me…Just seeing where he was able to get, playing D-I, playing in the g-league,” – #Rockets no. 4 overall pick Amen Thompson on his older brother @TroyThompson_ who played at @PVAMU_MBB & in the @nbagleague .
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) June 26, 2023
Amen Thompson : “I think I can bring leadership, defense, intangibles, being a good locker room guy – (those are) things I can bring to the team immediately.” #Rockets
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) June 26, 2023
Amen Thompson says he’s “excited to be a Rocket.” Cam Whitmore expressed gratitude to the Rockets for “taking a chance on me.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 26, 2023
Rafael Stone on Amen Thompson:
“When you see something special, you know it’s special.”
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 26, 2023
Can Whitmore said he wants to improve his midrange game before the season, while Amen Thompson said his priority is improving his shot.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) June 26, 2023
Watched a ton of Amen Thompson film but I never hear him speak until about 3-4 days ago. This is an incredibly bright, charismatic kid.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) June 26, 2023
Amen and Ausar Thompson’s mom on what people don’t know about them:
“Their humility. They are extremely determined and focused. They’re all-around wonderful human beings. Very mature. Responsible, considerate team players, and humble.” pic.twitter.com/8jSD1idXcQ
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 26, 2023
Got the chance to chat with Ausar Thompson after today’s presser, asked for a scouting report on Amen.
Ausar was quite effusive with his praise:
“I’ve seen him run a team full of professionals, comfortably.”https://t.co/l1GxjHGicR
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) June 26, 2023
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