Twin brothers of Jamaican heritage make history in NBA draft Amen Ausar &

By Micaiah Morgan CNW Writer

Florida’s former Pine Crest student-athletes, Amen and Ausar Thompson, whose father’s family is Jamaican, made history last Thursday night after both were selected in the top 5 in the 2023 NBA draft

It was a proud moment for their parents and extended family when Amen went No 4 to Houston Rockets while Ausar went No 5 to Detroit Pistons

In an interview with ESPN, the brothers expressed their excitement to embark on their new journey

“I think it’s kind of cool going first It means a lot to my family,” Amen said “Me and Ausar, we were going to be happy whoever went first But it means a lot to my family seeing all the hard work pay off Us go back to back, be the first twins in the same draft to go top five, it means a lot ”

“Super excited I’m super excited to meet my coaches, meet my teammates and just grow with them,” Ausar said “I’m trying to contend ”

Their mother, Maya Wilson also shared in the excitement stating that “there are no words to express how I’m feeling,” in an interview with ESPN

“To see them back-to-back, that blows my mind The world is just opening up to them There’s not limit So, I’m just very excited about what’s in store so just very, very happy,” she added

The players from San Leandro, California who were considered two of the most highlyregarded prospects in the 2023 NBA draft, began their careers at Pine as superstars

The 20-year-old twins played four years of varsity in Fort Lauderdale and they led the Panthers to the Class 3A championship in 2021

They were even dubbed Miami Herald’s Broward County Boys’ Basketball Co-Players of the Year for Classes 4A-2A in 2021 as juniors

The two skipped their senior year of high school to go play in Overtime Elite (OTE) for its inaugural season and spent two years in Atlanta as part of the league

They both were named to first-team AllOTE this year with Ausar Thompson being the MVP of the league

The brothers gained popularity when they moved to South Florida in middle school

They will also be the second and third Pine Crest alumni to be selected into the NBA, following guard Brandon Knight, who was the eighth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Pistons