3 wild Ausar Thompson stats you’re not going to believe

Ausar Thompson stats: only player in the NBA top 15 in rebounds, blocks, and steals

For this category, I’ll try to not name-drop another NBA great, but Ausar is making it a little difficult.

So far this season, Ausar Thompson is top 15 in the NBA in total rebounds, blocks, and steals.

His name is listed among the best centers in the league for the rebounds and blocks categories and alongside the top guards when you bring up the steals…a true anomaly.

This is the best place to point out that the three stats listed are true effort stats. If you play enough minutes and play hard enough, results will come.

The thing about Ausar is there’s more to it than just him busting his butt. He is in great spots positionally. The instincts are there, something that only comes from playing basketball.

I don’t know if this will put an end to the argument that if you don’t play traditional college basketball, the fundamentals won’t be there but it’s probably a good place to start. (Don’t worry, Jalen Green is always available to make the traditional college hoops route look better)

Somehow Ausar learned how to play well within a team, play mature and patient defense, and that effort wins out. I don’t really think this came from his time at Overtime Elite, I think it might just be who he is.

And fortunately enough for the Detroit Pistons, this guy wants to be here wearing the blue and red. Or the black and red. Or teal. Or whatever jersey we pull out next.