Amen Thompson Makes Bold Claim About Himself, Reveals Goal for 2025-26 Season

Thompson has emerged as one of the most promising stars for his team.

Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) dribbles the ball during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Toyota Center.

Image Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston Rockets star Amen Thompson made a bold claim about himself, while revealing a goal for the 2025-26 season. Thompson, a fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has emerged as one of the most promising stars for his team. In the previous season, he played a key role in guiding the side to a second-seed in the West with a win record of 52 games.

Ahead of the new season, Thompson feels confident in himself. It is the reason he has made a bold claim, while revealing the goal he wants to achieve in his third season in the league. “I just do whatever the team needs me to do,” Thompson said. “I feel like I’m very versatile. They need me to be a leader? I can do that. Do they need me to be off-ball? I can do that. They need me to be on-ball? I can do that.”

“DPOY is definitely a goal of mine. I feel like I’m the best defender in the league!”

There is no denying that Thompson can be counted as one of the best defenders in the league. However, the youngster cannot afford to be arrogant about his skills and abilities. In fact, there isn’t much that he has done to warrant the title of the best defender in the league. Rest, one would see in the season how the season unfolds for him.

Steve Nash Backs Amen Thompson to Win DPOY Over Victor Wembanyama

Former NBA MVP and head coach Steve Nash backed Amen Thompson to win the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year Award. He said that Thompson would take the trophy home over the San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. Wemby, the French center, was poised to win the trophy in the 2024-25 season. However, a blood clot in his right shoulder sidelined him for the last regular-season games.

The 7-foot-5 star is most likely heading into the upcoming season to fulfill what remained unfulfilled in the last season. However, Nash picked Thompson and said that the Rockets guard will take the honors home. Speaking on Zach Lowe Show, the Canadian legend said, “Obviously, he’s [Wemby’s] going to be the best defensive player in the league for many, many years,” Nash said.

“He’s probably going to average four blocks a game. He’s going to be so dominant at that end. But, I think there’s something to a team that’s a little ahead at this point.”

Steve Nash picks Amen Thompson over Victor Wembanyama for Defensive Player of the Year…

“A team that’s fighting for top 4 in the West, a player that’s guarding multiple positions, and taking on the toughest assignment every night” pic.twitter.com/M6udWSL1dH

— Steven Adams Stats (@funakistats) October 16, 2025

There is no doubt that Thompson’s team will rely heavily on his defensive versatility. However, his defensive stats don’t catch eyes as of now. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks per game for 34.6 block percentage. While it would be too early to make any comments, one cannot expect Thompson to settle for anything less than the All-Defensive First Team honors he won during the last campaign.

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.

Amen Thompson Makes Bold Claim About Himself, Reveals Goal for 2025-26 Season

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