Team USA Faces Major Worry As Young Superstars Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson Eye Jamaican Representation

Amen Thompson and his twin brother Ausar Thompson have established themselves as superstars in the making after a stellar 2024-25 season.

Team USA Faces Major Worry As Young Superstars Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson Eye Jamaican Representation

Amen and Ausar Thompson could turn to Jamaican basketball (Image via FirstSportz)

Amen Thompson and his twin brother, Ausar Thompson, came of age this past regular season. Both were instrumental in their respective team’s run to secure a playoff spot and established themselves as superstars on the rise.

Both of them brought maturity to their game along with some tenacious defense. On some occasions, Amen Thompson took his tenacity to another level, squaring off with opponents as he deemed necessary. With that and their game, he and Ausar Thompson have informed the rest of the league that they are not going to give their opponents an inch.

LeBron James has appreciated how the twins have their minds set on becoming the best in the league. That focus has seen them elevate their game, and there may come a time when they could be considered to be a part of Team USA for the 2028 Olympics. But it seems their mind is not set on representing America.

Ever since I was a kid, you know, I used to watch the Olympics and see Usain Bolt, (Yohan) Blake. And I always was like, you know, Jamaica always represents gold, and it’s always been like a dream. I always wanted to see a basketball team. I always wanted to picture basketball players with a Jamaica jersey on. And I’ve always wanted to wear one too.

Amen Thompson said at a Bob Marley Foundation meet

Amen Thompson revealed that he would like to wear a Jamaican basketball jersey. When he handed the microphone to Ausar Thompson, he echoed the same sentiment. If they have already relayed their interest, they might have already thought this through. But this will be a huge loss for Team USA.

Why are Amen and Ausar Thompson thinking about joining Team Jamaica?

Americans would want Amen and Ausar Thompson to bring their dynamic play to help Team USA’s chances at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But the twins probably know that their chances of making the team together are very low.

Team USA's 2028 Olympics roster could be stacked
Team USA’s 2028 Olympics roster could be stacked (Image via USA Basketball/X)

The selection committee is aware that international teams have made strides in their development and will look to finally unseat America as the best basketballing nation. That means, Team USA’s shot callers will have to select the best players from the NBA.

That could see quite a few of the young stars in the game currently cement their spots. In addition to that, the next three seasons will give the chance for other prospects coming through the draft to stake their claim.

That will lead to a crowded pool, and the Thompson twins might not get a chance to make the team together. It could boil down to who Team USA thinks should be on it. Therefore, the 22-year-olds have a better chance of representing Jamaica together, not just for the 2028 Olympics, but in the future as well.

Ausar and Amen Thompson will look to build on stellar 2024-25 campaign

In the 2024-25 regular season, Amen Thompson was making a lot of noise with his dynamic play on both ends of the floor. He was a big part of the Houston Rockets’ rise to finish 2nd in the highly competitive West.

The Rockets, however, stumbled in seven games against the Golden State Warriors. But the young team can take away a lot of positives. They battled the Warriors hard, and the loss should drive them to fix the mistakes they made in the series.

Ausar Thompson and the Detroit Pistons started slow. But once they understood head coach JB Bickerstaff‘s schemes, they blossomed into a juggernaut that went on to upset some major playoff contenders, even his twin brother’s Rockets.

If not for a controversial foul, the Pistons had a chance to upset the New York Knicks and move on to the second round of the playoffs. But their loss will give him the motivation to improve in the offseason and come back stronger next year. Both brothers are expected to take another step next season.

Also Read: