Thompson Twins Gear Up for Rising Stars Showdown in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The NBA‘s All-Star Weekend is upon us, and rising stars Amen and Ausar Thompson are preparing to showcase their talents on Friday at Chase Center. The twin brothers, both first-round draft picks, will lead their respective teams in the newly formatted Rising Stars tournament, with the winner advancing to compete against the NBA All-Stars.

Amen, selected as Houston’s No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, is excited about playing alongside his brother Ausar, who plays for the Detroit Pistons. The brothers have spent much of their lives playing basketball together and are anticipating a competitive environment this weekend.

“I hope they put another person on me because if one player I know guards me, I will score a lot,” joked Amen as he reflected on their upcoming game.

Amen has been praised for his performance this season, and his teammate Reed Sheppard, a rookie guard who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft, echoed those sentiments. “Amen’s awesome. He’s always got a smile on his face; he plays hard every game. He’s having a ridiculous season,” Sheppard said.

As part of the new All-Star format, four teams will compete in a mini-tournament, each featuring rising stars looking to impress. The winners will earn a spot in the All-Star Game on Sunday. The event’s structure allows for a dynamic combination of teams, with players from different backgrounds uniting for a shared goal.

The Rising Stars tournament is significant not only for the players participating but also for the NBA, as it emphasizes the league’s commitment to showcasing young talents. The game includes a prize pool of $1.8 million for the winning team and an opportunity for players to gain recognition on a national stage.

Thompson twins’ dynamic playstyle and commitment to defense set them apart from their peers. While Amen focuses on scoring, Ausar is known for his all-around gameplay, making the two complementary forces on the court.

The Rising Stars tournament will also feature Julian Strawther of the Denver Nuggets, who received a late call-up due to an injury to another player. Nuggets coach Michael Malone highlighted Strawther’s impressive season, stating, “He fully deserves to be there. The guy is asked to do a ton for a team that is third in the Western Conference as a second-year player.”

Amen expressed confidence in his team but emphasized the competitive spirit shared among all players in the tournament. “Reed talks so much, so it’s gonna be fun,” Thompson said, referring to his friendly rivalry with Sheppard. “Doesn’t he look unassuming? He looks like he wouldn’t say anything.”

The Rising Stars event will commence at 9:15 p.m. ET on Friday, with fans eagerly awaiting to see which teams will earn the opportunity to compete at the All-Star Game and whether the Thompson brothers will grab the spotlight.