Rockets star Amen Thompson mulls playing for Jamaica in future international competitions
Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson is open to playing for Jamaica in future international basketball competitions, the 22-year-old rising star said earlier this week.
'Ever since I was a kid, I used to watch the Olympics and see [sprinters] Usain Bolt and [Yohan] Blake," Thompson said, via Daniel Blake of the Jamaica Observer. 'Jamaica always represents a gold medal culture. I always wanted to see a basketball team, I wanted to picture basketball players with a Jamaica jersey on, and I always wanted to wear one, too.'
'So, just getting the opportunity — I could either play for USA or Jamaica — but being able to be here and it even [being] an option, it means a lot to me.'
Michael Shapiro of Houston's Chron.com has more:
Thompson, along with his twin brother and Detroit Pistons wing Ausar Thompson, discussed his international basketball future during an appearance in Kingston, Jamaica, with the Jamaica Basketball Association and the Bob Marley Foundation. Both twins expressed interest in competing for Team Jamaica in future international basketball competitions, following in the footsteps of their uncle, Mark Thompson, who competed in the 400-meter hurdles for Jamaica at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Troy Thompson, the twins' father, is Jamaican, and according to the Jamaica Observer, both Amen and Ausar have started the process of obtaining Jamaican citizenship.
Both Thompson twins are eligible to compete for the United States in upcoming international competitions, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Amen, in particular, would seem to have a path to Team USA after a breakout NBA season in 2024-25 and a stint with the U.S. Select Team during the 2024 offseason.
But Jamaica represents another option, and one in which he could conceivably play with his twin brother. While Jamaica does not have any previous experience in either the Olympics or the FIBA World Cup, the team has already secured a playing commitment from Los Angeles Clippers star Norman Powell, which —especially if combined with the Thompson twins — could make them a formidable side.
The Rockets haven't had a representative on Team USA since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1996.
More: Rockets prospects Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson named to USA Basketball select team
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