Amen Thompson didn’t have to travel far for All-Star Weekend. After playing against the Warriors in his hometown on Thursday night, the Rockets’ young point guard was already in the Bay Area when the festivities kicked off on Friday.Even though he left years ago to chase his basketball dreams in Florida, the Bay still feels like home. That’s why this weekend wasn’t just another event for him—it was personal.
“I was really trying to make it to this event this year, just because it’s in the Bay and across the bridge (from where I grew up),” he said.
Amen is part of Team M of the Rising Stars for the All-Star weekend. If Amen can take charge and push his squad to the championship, he’ll get the chance to go up against Shaq’s OGs in Sunday’s All-Star Game. And which shoes is he going to do this in? Sabrina 2’s. That’s right the 20-year old was wearing Sabrina Ionescu’s shoes for the match against G League standouts.
Amen Thompson laces up a new Sabrina 2 for the Rising Stars Game pic.twitter.com/j7wRtPE2Wd
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) February 15, 2025
And he did not disappoint. Thompson put on a scoring clinic in the Rising Stars game, leading his squad with 10 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting. He also chipped in with two rebounds and two assists, making his presence felt on both ends.
Well Ionescu might not be present for the 3-point contest, but Amen sure did bring her presence to the Bay Area. Because don’t hold your breath for a Stephen Curry-Sabrina Ionescu rematch—it’s not happening. Their epic 3-point shootout in Indianapolis last year had fans buzzing, with Curry barely sneaking past Ionescu in a first-of-its-kind showdown.
While Amen is a serious competitor on the court, off-court him and his twin brother Ausar like to have some fun.
Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson prank a reporter during Friday afternoon
The Thompson twins have been lighting up the NBA all season, but during the 2025 Rising Stars Challenge, they had some fun keeping everyone guessing. Even Taylor Rooks couldn’t tell them apart when they jokingly refused to reveal their identities during an interview in San Francisco.
But let’s be real—besides their identical looks and nearly matching stat lines, what actually separates them? Ausar had an answer.
“I’m cooler,” he teased. “I’m just more of a winner. Even at [Overtime Elite], I won MVP. … We played [Amen], we beat him.”
Amen wasn’t letting that slide. “He’s just saying nonsense,” he fired back. “Look at NBA wins and see who has more.”
Jan 12, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) battles for for the ball with his twin brother Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Drafted back-to-back in 2023—Amen at No. 4, Ausar at No. 5—the twins had fans confused on draft night. Now, their numbers in February make things even trickier. Ausar is averaging 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.1 steals for the Pistons. Amen? He’s putting up 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.6 steals for the Rockets.
Amen has had the stronger season, but Ausar is finally finding his groove after recovering from a blood clot last year. Still, stars like LeBron James and Cade Cunningham recognize how special they are.
“He’s a different dude,” Cunningham said about Ausar.
LeBron took it a step further, giving props to both. “Cade Cunningham said it best,” he had said in January.
With both twins making waves in the league, one thing’s for sure—no matter how similar they seem, the NBA is quickly learning there’s no mistaking their talent.
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