Gather the list of reasons for why the Houston Rockets produced a 19-win turnaround from the season prior, fielded a top-10 defense, and enjoyed their best season since 2020, and it won’t be long before the focus gravitates to one player: Amen Thompson. 100th percentile in his athletic gifts from the moment he walked the stage as the No. 4 selection in the 2023 NBA Draft, Thompson wasn’t one to waste time during his first-ever game of his career against the Orlando Magic. Successful in his role of anchoring the Rockets’ second unit, Thompson showcased an arsenal that would become commonplace over his 62-game rookie campaign: slippery elusiveness and explosive finishes at the rim, versatility as a rebounder and facilitator, and pull-up jumpers to punish the defense when it got lax. Setting the stage for a season defined by multifaceted, position-less play, Thompson logged eight points, five rebounds, two assists, and a 3-pointer in 20 minutes on October 25, 2023. Seamlessly springboarding that resourcefulness across future performances, Thompson led all rookies in steals per game (1.3), became one of just 48 players to log at least 70 steals and 30 blocks, and helped install the Rockets’ culture change in a matter of months. · Oct 25, 2023