The NBA’s Twin Takeover: Amen and Ausar’s Unmatched Rise
The NBA hasn’t seen a story quite like the arrival of Thompson twins Amen and Ausar in years. The duo, born just a minute apart, burst onto the scene as the fourth and fifth overall picks in the 2023 NBA Draft—Amen going to the Houston Rockets and Ausar landing with the Detroit Pistons. At just 21, they're already the faces of their franchises, rejuvenating two teams that had been stuck in rebuilding mode. Their shared drive, molded in a household that valued toughness and discipline above all, is translating into real wins and headline-grabbing playoff chases.
Their story began long before the NBA ever called. Parents Maya Wilson and Troy Thompson made sure that basketball was more than just a pastime. Their father took a hands-on approach, creating a regimen so rigorous it was originally meant for older brother Troy Jr.—a standout at Prairie View A&M and the first blueprint for success in the Thompson house. Drills started before dawn and spilled over into weekends, aiming at more than skill building; their dad was shaping mindsets, making basketball as much a mental contest as a physical one.
Maya, their mom, was the team’s logistical backbone and biggest believer. She made a deliberate decision early: basketball—never football—would be front and center. That focus paid off. From age seven, Amen and Ausar weren’t just running through shooting drills; they were absorbing a mantra of excellence. It wasn’t just about having fun on the court; it was about working relentlessly for the edge, even among themselves. That competitive spirit is front and center every time their teams meet, and it’s driving both franchises forward.
Rivalry, Playoff Stakes, and A Family Vision Board
This isn’t a feel-good family tale without teeth—the rivalry between the twins is as real as the stats they’re piling up each week. Whenever the Rockets and Pistons clash, the trash talk comes fast. Amen, never lacking confidence, recently predicted his Rockets would prevail if both teams met in the Finals, even as he admitted he’d want to see his brother get that far. Ausar, on the other hand, places his chips on Detroit, recalling the Pistons’ decisive win when both squads were at full strength. ‘We would whoop ’em,’ he declared, smiling after clinching a key victory.
Their competition does more than entertain fans; it’s transformed both franchises. Amen, with his jaw-dropping athleticism and playmaking for Houston, scored a season-high as the Rockets stomped the Utah Jazz 143-105, sealing their playoff spot. Ausar’s impact on Detroit is obvious, too. Not only does he fill box scores, but he also sets a tone defensively and emotionally—attributes that drew public praise from Pistons head coach Dwane Casey. Casey called Ausar “the ultimate competitor” and a model for the team’s culture shift.
But don’t get the wrong impression: beneath the heated sibling rivalry, there’s a shared foundation. The Thompson twins still look to that vision board their family filled out in old notebooks—the same one that lists NBA dreams, championship aspirations, and next-level excellence. They chase those goals aggressively, not just out of personal ambition, but as an extension of family pride and the eight-letter middle name they share: XLNC, spelled like ‘excellency,’ a reminder that anything less just isn’t enough.
The league is on notice. Two brothers, one vision, and a rivalry that only gets fiercer as the stakes climb. The NBA playoffs just got a lot more interesting, and the best part? For the Thompsons, this story is just getting started.