With 68 games played in the 2024-25 season, second-year Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson is now eligible for NBA awards. (The league mandates that at least 65 out of the 82 regular-season games be played, in order for players to be eligible.)
While Thompson missed time in early March with an ankle sprain, the 22-year-old has come back with a vengeance. With elite defense and positional versatility, the 6-foot-7 athletic marvel is averaging 14.0 points (55.5% FG), 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 32.3 minutes per game this season.
Thompson's performance, and particularly on defense, is drawing attention across the league for potential All-Defensive First Team honors.