Twin Basketball Stars Make NBA History DOUBLE THREAT

MEET BROTHERS AUSAR AND AMEN THOMPSON, THE NEXT BIG THINGS IN PRO SPORTS

- NATASHA DYE

Under the bright lights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 22, 20-year-old identical twins Amen and Ausar Thompson exchange nervous chatter with their loved ones. For the brothers, virtually inseparable since birth, the 2023 NBA Draft is the culmination of a shared dream—and a historic moment for the league. After commissioner Adam Silver announces the selections—Amen fourth overall to the Houston Rockets and Ausar to the Detroit Pistons one pick later—the gravity of the situation hits them, and they embrace. In the days ahead there will be time to grapple with the 1,300 miles between their new homes. “Tonight,” says Ausar, “we’re just going to be one big, happy family.”

As the first brothers taken in the top five of an NBA draft, the 6'7" guards understand the outsize expectations that follow them into the league. “You’re always trying to be perfect,” says Ausar. “You put that pressure on yourself. You just have to be ready for the moment.” They’ve been preparing since childhood in San Leandro, Calif., where they were raised, along with their older brother Troy Jr., by mother Maya and father Troy, who gave them the same middle name: XLNC (pronounced “excellence”). From third grade through sixth, the twins competed with each other in a local Boys & Girls Club league. “My earliest basketball memory,” says Amen. “His team wasn’t that good.” Ausar interjects: “We won the championship!”