Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Ausar Thompson is an explosive NBA wing whose elite perimeter defense, transition scoring, rebounding, and connective playmaking have made him a cornerstone of the Detroit Pistons’ young rebuilding core after his Overtime Elite development. His two-way slashing archetype, exceptional athleticism, defensive instincts, and positionless versatility allow him to impact games well beyond the box score.
Here is the detailed profile of Ausar Thompson:
Player Profile
- Full Name: Ausar Mark Taylor Thompson
- Nationality: American
- Age: Born January 30, 2003
- Hometown: Oakland, California, USA
- Height: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters)
- Weight: 215 pounds (98 kg)
- Wingspan: 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 meters)
- Shoe Size: Not publicly available
- Shoe Brand: Nike Kobe 6 Protro, Converse All Star BB Shift
- Jersey Number: #9 (with the Detroit Pistons)
- Position: Shooting guard / Small forward
- High School: Pine Crest School, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- College: Did not attend (played professionally in the Overtime Elite league)
- NBA Draft: 2023, Round 1, 5th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons
- Teams Played For:
- Detroit Pistons (2023–present)
- Championship Rings: None
- Children: None
- Siblings: Twin brother Amen Thompson (also an NBA player, drafted 4th overall in 2023 by the Houston Rockets)
Player Archetype / Play Style
Ausar Thompson’s player archetype is a rangy two-way wing creator, the kind of archetype built around defensive disruption, open-floor playmaking, and pressure at the rim more than polished perimeter shot-making. Defensively, he fits as a switchable stopper who can hound ball-handlers, cover ground quickly, and make life difficult across multiple assignments, with his defense already described as a major strength at both the draft stage and in the NBA. Offensively, his best role is as a slasher, secondary playmaker, transition threat, and connective passer who can handle, attack gaps, and create offense without needing to dominate every possession. Physically, he brings standout tools at 6-foot-7 and 205 pounds, pairing size with strength, burst, and high-end athleticism. His play style is aggressive, versatile, and energetic, leaning on speed, length, and instinct to impact games on both ends even while his jumper remains more developmental than foundational. (nbadraft.theringer.com)
Scouting Report
I’ve always thought the most interesting part of Ausar Thompson’s game is that he creates offense with possessions that don’t even look like scoring chances. A loose rebound, a deflection near half court, a teammate forced into a difficult shot—those are often the moments when he becomes most dangerous because he processes the floor so quickly once the defense loses its shape. In the half court, he’s more of a slasher than a ball-dominant creator. He cuts hard from the weak side, times baseline dives when his defender turns his head, and attacks closeouts with long, balanced strides instead of relying on a string of dribble moves. He’ll make the extra pass when the low man steps over, and his vision flashes in transition or out of short-roll situations where decisions have to be made instantly. The trade-off is obvious enough on film. Defenders are much more willing to help off him than they are against proven perimeter shooters, which can shrink driving lanes and force him into finishing through crowded paint. Until the jumper consistently demands respect, teams will keep testing it. Defensively, though, he changes games in ways that don’t always show up in the box score. He covers ground incredibly fast without looking out of control, can recover after being screened better than most wings because of his closing burst, and has a feel for rotating from the weak side that turns routine drives into awkward kick-outs. He isn’t simply chasing blocks or steals; he’s disrupting the sequence of the possession before it reaches the shot. That’s a subtle distinction. To me, his ideal fit is next to creators who bend the defense with the ball, allowing him to attack gaps, crash from the dunker spot, pressure the offensive glass and spend most of his energy taking the toughest perimeter assignment. There are shades of Shawn Marion in the way he fills every open space without needing plays called for him, while parts of Andre Iguodala’s defensive timing and connective passing show through whenever the game becomes more about reads than isolation talent.
Notes:
- Similar players to Ausar Thompson include Ben Simmons and Amen Thompson.
Ausar Thompson has had a very slow start to the 2024-25 NBA season because of a blood clot issue during the offseason. The best thing for a blood clot is exercise, so I don’t understand why he’s not playing basketball. That said, he is now cleared to return to the court and it’s up to the team when they think his conditioning can handle it. I would have expected his conditioning to be 100% and for him to be ready to play as soon as he was cleared to play unless he was under doctors’ orders not to exercise. Generally, the Pistons need to get him on the court. He’s young and his fitness is fine. All it takes is a few games to get his legs back. 11/22/2024
Sources:
NBA.com — Ausar Thompson | Guard-Forward | Detroit Pistons
The Ringer — The Ringer’s 2023 NBA Draft Guide
The Ringer — Can the Detroit Pistons Resist a Summer of Temptation?
The Ringer — Seven NBA Observations on the Suns, Superstar Trade Rumors, and More Draft Intel
NBA.com — Media Mock Drafts: Who Will the Orlando Magic Take at No. 6?