After a promising rookie season, Amen Thompson was chosen as one of many 15 gamers for the USA Choose Staff. Thompson stopped by briefly to talk with HoopsHype with some fast hitters about his expertise taking part in towards the Nationwide Staff, his rookie season, recommendation from teammates, twin brother Ausar, and extra.
Juan Ocampo/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
Amen Thompson: It was enjoyable to be chosen and are available out right here. To play and compete towards the most effective, it was a enjoyable expertise.
USA Basketball
AT: I didn’t get too many ideas however I positively watched and noticed. Watching LeBron [James] and see how he facilitates as an enormous guard, that’s a number of the stuff I used to be expecting.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Photographs
AT: Simply take it a day at a time. It’s your first recreation, so that you’re occupied with doing rather a lot and typically it doesn’t occur like that. It’s 82 video games, so take it a recreation at a time, however my final recreation I had certainly one of my greatest video games of the 12 months.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports activities
AT: He’s sort of just like some coaches I’ve had prior to now. The factor that’s completely different about him is he can get within the combine with us, like he’s a participant. I’ve by no means had a coach that performed within the NBA. When he talks, I gotta hear as a result of he’s been there. He’s moderately arduous on everyone. He doesn’t go loopy, however he’s moderately arduous.
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports activities
AT: DB, he’s the best. It stunned me, to be sincere. He’s the best dude. Actually chill. He works arduous for every thing. He prepares for video games like he prepares for struggle, so I see it in that side. Coolest dude for actual.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports activities
AT: Simply all the time do one thing on daily basis. If that’s not basketball, working in your physique. He’s large on that. He does that on daily basis.
David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports activities
AT: Be assured. Be assured on what you are able to do. Hold staying assured.
Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports activities
AT: Cam Whitmore. He’s unintentionally humorous.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities
AT: Nah. [Laughing] He’s humorous tho, he gotta be the funniest.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports activities
AT: To him? Nah. As a result of I understand how good he’s, I do know the place he’s going to be at later, so it’s no level for me to get on him.
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports activities
AT: Each, however I all the time say I’m higher than him, it doesn’t matter what’s happening. He can win MVP, and I’m higher than him.
