[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2023 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Amen Thompson
Frame: 6’7″ 200lbs
Position: Guard
Team: City Reapers
League: Overtime Elite
2023 Draft Age: 20

Offense

Thompson is an impressive athlete with a quick first step that enables him to blow past defenders at will. His agility at his size allows him to navigate through traffic. He is an incredible above-the-rim finisher with a 40″ vertical and a 7’1″ wingspan. His verticality enables him to rise and secure rebounds on the offensive glass. His highlight dunks will make him a fan favorite.

Most of his points in the half-court come at the rim, coming off screens or using his first step to explode and finish at the basket. He is comfortable finishing with either hand. Thompson also creates and finds opportunities for teammates through his ability to pressure the rim. His skills should translate quickly to the NBA.

Thompson may be the best playmaker in the draft class, using his athleticism to contort and adjust his body mid-air to find his teammates for open looks. He can be turnover-prone but is very unselfish. He’ll push the ball up-court or make the swing pass to turn a good look for himself into a great one for another.

His most glaring weakness is his jump shot (both mechanically and statistically). His 15.4 percent from three-point range on 3.3 attempts per game is concerning. His form is as poor as the percentages suggest. He doesn’t get much elevation on his shot, lacking arm extension. He is shooting 85.7 percent from the free-throw line, where his form looks slightly better. Even there, his release remains low, suggesting his shot will need to be reworked at the NBA level.

Defense

Defensively, Thompson has the physical tools to be a point-of-attack defender. He has quick feet and active hands and likes to pick up ball handlers at halfcourt. Thompson absorbs contact and maintains his balance when offensive players try to push off him. He excels as a pick-and-roll defender, getting over screens and using his length to sway ball handlers from passing to the roll man. As a strong-side defender, Thompson uses his hand swell to pry away the ball and create turnovers. He is solid at picking off pass attempts when he is one to two passes away from the ball. His previously mentioned verticality allows him to have an impact on the defensive glass.

Thompson sometimes falls asleep as a weak side defender, getting caught in off-ball actions. He occasionally displays highlight-reel weakside blocks to suggest he could offer some occasional rim protection with NBA experience.

Looking Ahead

Thompson has an elite physical profile with next-level passing and strong defense. His instincts as a facilitator, paired with his ability to pressure the rim, suggest the potential to be a franchise point guard. The biggest roadblock will be his jump shot.