HoopsHype’s Frank Urbina on Rockets star Amen Thompson: “The 22-year-old is one of the most fluidly explosive backcourt athletes we have seen in quite some time, and a player with a massive ceiling.”
The Rockets traded Jalen Green to the Phoenix Suns as part of the blockbuster deal bringing All-Star forward Kevin Durant to Houston.
Yet, despite not bringing back a shooting guard in the deal, there’s a strong case to be made that Houston actually got better at that position for next season.
That’s because rising star Amen Thompson now shifts into the backcourt for the Rockets, with Jabari Smith Jr. taking back his previous spot (alongside Durant) as a starting forward.
Indeed, heading into the 2025-26 season, HoopsHype’s ranking of the NBA’s top shooting guards lists Green at No. 14 and Thompson at No. 7. Via Frank Urbina, the analysis:
Speaking of unique 2-guards, Amen Thompson fits the bill, as the 22-year-old is one of the most fluidly explosive backcourt athletes we have seen in quite some time, and a player with a massive ceiling.
Thompson is a slippery guard with great size, strength and athleticism, capable of getting to the rim and finishing with aplomb. If he just had a more reliable jumper, we’d be projecting a first-time All-Star bid in Thompson’s near future. Unfortunately for him, his jumper, especially off the dribble, remains a work in progress, as Thompson hit just 27.5% of his 3-pointers last season. His work as a pull-up shooter out of the midrange remains equally lacking.
Regardless, as a guard standing at 6-foot-7 with a freakish 7-foot wingspan and solid ball-handling, Thompson’s potential is through the roof. What’s more, he’s already so unique in that he rebounds like a big man and finishes near the basket as efficiently as one, as evidenced by his near-56% shooting accuracy in 2024-25.
If he just figures out how to shoot the ball more accurately from the outside, we’re talking All-NBA-level potential with Thompson. As is, he is already one of the top defenders in the game, one coming off the initial All-Defensive First Team of his career. We expect many more accolades in Thompson’s future.
Thompson is ranked just behind Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat (No. 6) and Devin Booker of the Suns (No. 5) on HoopsHype’s latest positional list.
Thompson’s backcourt mate in Houston, Fred VanVleet, checked in at No. 17 on HoopsHype’s list of top point guards. The rankings for small forwards, power forwards, and centers are still to come.