Two Rising NBA Stars Aim to Represent Jamaica in ’28 Olympics

Two rising NBA teams—Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons—have one thing in common and enjoy it equally, but separately: the rise of the NBA’s electric set of twins. Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson are ascending the NBA rankings, and the Summer Olympics could be the next significant feat the brothers could accomplish. Amen and Ausar are proving foundational pieces for their respective teams, Houston for Amen and Detroit for Ausar. Both brothers helped lead their respective teams to playoff berths this season. While the Pistons and Rockets each exited in the first round, the season’s success for both players and their teams proves their rise in the league, and for Amen and Ausar, it could someday translate to the global stage.

Two Rising NBA Stars Aim to Represent Jamaica in ’28 Olympics

Ausar Thompson and Amen Thompson have Summer Olympics in their sights; FIBA competition in play

The Los Angeles Summer Olympics are a few years away yet. Still, several storylines have already popped up since Team USA’s gold medal win last summer in Paris regarding some players and overall Olympic competition. Who will represent the Americans is bound to dominate the Olympic storyboard until the event’s kick-off in 2028. Steve Kerr is out as head coach, and Erik Spoelstra is highly expected to take over. Whether LeBron James, Steph Curry, or Kevin Durant will participate is pending. For LeBron and Curry, the answer is unlikely, but the same can’t be said for Durant.

Outside of Team USA, plenty of other storylines will be sure to capture some attention. One of those storylines could follow the Thompson brothers. According to Daniel Blake of The Jamaica Observer, Amen and Ausar could represent Jamaica in Los Angeles. Before that, other FIBA competitions could also be in play. As Blake reports, the Thompsons are in the process of Jamaican citizenship applications. Troy, Amen and Ausar’s father, is from Jamaica, which could make his son eligible for citizenship.

According to Blake, adding the Thompsons to their squad would be part of a rebuilding effort Jamaica is attempting regarding their basketball program. The country is not known for its international basketball competition. Their best achievement came in the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship. There, they defeated past champions, Brazil and Argentina. Jamaica has never qualified for the FIBA Cup or Summer Olympics. That said, considering the efforts Jamaica is putting toward upgrading their national team, by 2028, they could be part of the event.

Amen and Ausar’s rapid ascension

The brothers have already established themselves as two of the best young players in the NBA. Their respective roles with their teams are different, yet both are impactful. With Houston, Amen is the more gifted offensive player and averaged a career-high 14.1 points per game this past season. Ausar has more of the defender in him than his brother, but he still averaged 10.1 points. His second season in the league was a significant jump compared to his rookie campaign, and he’s a perfect fit with the Pistons’ style of play.

Amen and Ausar will enter their third season in October. Each is expected to take an even greater leap, and their teams are expected to do the same. NBA aside, if everything goes well with their citizenship applications, the many chances ahead to represent Jamaica on the international stage would be well-earned and deserved. For two rising stars in the NBA, their names are tracking to receive greater and greater recognition.