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Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson’s path to Rookie of the Year

By Tim Galbraith

MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 12: Ousmane Dieng #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder falls onto Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half of a preseason NBA game at Bell Centre on October 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Detroit Pistons defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-125. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 12: Ousmane Dieng #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder falls onto Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half of a preseason NBA game at Bell Centre on October 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Detroit Pistons defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-125. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons, Ausar Thompson
Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Uber-athletic Detroit Pistons’ rookie Ausar Thompson’s name was bandied about in mock drafts throughout the spring and summer, and now that basketball season is about to begin it’ll be mentioned in debates regarding Rookie of the Year. Victor Wembanyama is the clear favorite, while the likes of Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller and second-year pro Chet Holmgren currently comprise the second tier of contenders. Thompson’s name will be tossed around with words like “longshot,” and, “dark horse,” but is he really either of those things? It’s clear that he’s going to play a crucial role on this Pistons team and he may well make a much stronger case to win the award than anticipated.

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Ausar Thompson’s path to Rookie of the Year

Offense

Although he has indisputable athleticism, one question yet to be answered is how developed is his offensive game? It’s a question made a bit more intriguing with a couple of interesting developments.

Head Coach Monty Williams has utilized Thompson in the starting lineup, which isn’t really a surprise. That was always a when not an if. It is, however, somewhat eye-opening that he has also decided to give him some serious run at shooting guard. Monty recently stressed that nothing is set in stone but in the era of so-called positionless basketball, Ausar has immediately established his utility.

Thompson’s a high-tempo slasher and after a few preseason games has fashioned himself into a more disciplined and slightly taller version of Russel Westbrook when he’s off ball, with the added benefit of not being a treacherous blackhole on ball.  So many fans of the NBA wondered what Westbrook could be with a reliable jumper. Thompson may be able to approximate an answer to that question.

Thompson shot 40 percent from long range in the preseason, which was good to see. If he can get near that number on the season, he’ll be in the running for RoY, as he’s already good at everything else.

We know he’s going to get buckets in transition, while his instincts and athleticism will carry him for now in half-court sets. There is plenty of opportunity for Ausar to seize in Monty’s “point-five offense.” How important he becomes in it will be a major X-factor in his candidacy to win RoY.

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