Ausar Thompson Poised for NBA Breakout After Productive Summer

DETROIT, Mich. — Ausar Thompson, the Detroit Pistons’ promising guard, enters the 2025-26 NBA season with high expectations after a transformative summer. Healthy for the first time in his career, Thompson dedicated the offseason to training alongside his twin brother, Amen, and other teammates.

The Thompson twins, known for their competitive nature, pushed each other during workouts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Spain. Their technique and drive earned praise from Pistons assistant coach Fred Vinson, who observed Ausar’s impressive performance in one-on-one games, where he occasionally bested Amen. “If you can do it against him, you can do it against a lot of people,” Vinson said.

After supporting Amen’s rapid rise in past seasons, the Pistons are optimistic that Ausar will now step into a leading role. Following a strong preseason, where he averaged 8.3 points and displayed enhanced skills, Thompson has shown he is ready to take the next step in his career.

Pistons All-Star Cade Cunningham echoed the sentiment, stating, “Ausar had a great summer… he’s going to wake a lot of people up in a loud way.” Ausar himself acknowledges the pressure to perform, especially with heightened responsibilities this season.

Thompson’s physical transformation has also been a focal point. Listed at 215 pounds, he appears more muscular and agile after focusing on conditioning and strength training. His new approach includes a mindset shift he credits to his brother’s influence. “Going in with the mentality of wanting to kill whoever is in front of you, whether that’s offense or defense,” Ausar explained.

With Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff sidelined initially, Ausar’s role as a primary ballhandler will be crucial. His preseason performance highlights increased smart play, with a commendable assist-to-turnover ratio, suggesting he can take on more responsibility effectively.

As the season approaches, Thompson is acutely aware of the competitive landscape. “Opposing teams know what they’re capable of,” he said. Nevertheless, he remains focused on self-improvement and embracing the system. “If my mentality is where I want it to be every single game, then I should be able to do that,” Ausar stated confidently.

The anticipation for Ausar’s breakout season is palpable, as the Pistons look to utilize his capabilities more than ever. With a solid summer behind him and a positive mindset, fans hope to see a spectacular display from the young star as the season unfolds.