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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
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.' Advertisement '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 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. Advertisement 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 This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Amen Thompson considers playing for Jamaica in global competitions
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Rockets star Amen Thompson mulls playing for Jamaica in future international competitions
Rockets star Amen Thompson mulls playing for Jamaica in future international competitions Rockets star Amen Thompson and his twin brother, Ausar, are expressing interest in playing for Jamaica in future international basketball competitions. Team USA is also an option. 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 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
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Tyrese Haliburton is leaning into role as Knicks villain entering Eastern Conference finals
Tyrese Haliburton embraced his role as the heel twice last year at MSG, both when the Pacers knocked out the Knicks in seven games in the second round of the playoffs and over the summer in a clash with Jalen Brunson at a WWE event. Haliburton's level of hatred from the Garden crowd doesn't match the wrath the New York fans felt for Indiana predecessor Reggie Miller back in the '90s, but it should take another step forward with the Pacers facing the Knicks in the playoffs for the second straight year, beginning Wednesday night with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Advertisement 'For sure, it's a lot of fun, man. I think last year the series was a lot of fun, back and forth, it felt like nobody could win two in a row until we were able to do it [in Games 6 & 7],' Haliburton said earlier this week. 'Going into the series, I think that [the MSG fans] didn't like the [Pacers] organization, but I don't think there were certain guys that their fans didn't like. Tyrese Haliburton is not beloved in New York. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images 'But now they don't really like us too much. So it's all fun with it, man, and like I said, excited to add more chapters to this storied rivalry and just continue to be a part of it. I look forward to playing in that building, and I look forward to the crowd environment. It's a good thing.' Advertisement Haliburton also joked that 'maybe it's a good thing that my dad won't be able to go,' after his father, John Haliburton, was banned by the Pacers from attending games for confronting Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court after the Indiana eliminated the Bucks in Game 5 of the first round. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. The two-time All-Star point guard averaged 21.3 points and 7.0 assists in the second-round series against the Knicks, and he will renew his friendly rivalry with Brunson now for a chance to reach the NBA Finals. Advertisement The two guards are close after being teammates on Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in 2023, although only Haliburton was named to the U.S. Olympic team last summer. Tyrese Haliburton shoots in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last year. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post They also both participated in the WWE event at the Garden last June, with Brunson chasing Haliburton out of the ring with a folding chair. Haliburton responded, 'I'll be back' and 'you don't want to see me again.' 'It was exciting, obviously you guys know I'm a diehard WWE fan,' Haliburton said. 'I'm still trying to get [former wrestler] Triple H to come to a game. I'm working on it. Yeah, it's pretty cool that happened [last] summer and here we are, so it's a pretty cool storyline. Advertisement 'I'm sure it goes along with everybody that thinks there's a script.' Hailburton (l) and Brunson (r) in the ring. @WWE/YouTube Haliburton added that he has 'a really good relationship with WWE and Triple H,' so when they asked him to attend the event at the Garden he jumped at the chance. 'It was like, 'No question, I'll be there.' But I had no idea Jalen was going until I got there,' Haliburton said. 'They were like, 'Where's Jalen?' So I called Jalen and was like, 'Are you coming?' And he was like 'Yeah,' so I said, 'Oh, so we're really doing this, like, we're tying it all in.' 'I had no idea 'til we got there. I think he knew, but I had no idea. But, yeah, that was a pretty cool moment. Obviously it was a lifelong dream of mine to do anything with the WWE and to do it there, and to be booed and all that stuff was a lot of fun. A good time. Advertisement 'We had talked about it at the World Cup, so I always knew he was into it, so it was pretty cool that they were able to pull it off without any real leaks or anything.' Tyrese Haliburton chirps at the fans during Game 7 last year. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Now, both Haliburton and Brunson will look to help their respective teams end lengthy droughts without reaching the NBA Finals. The Knicks last went in 1999 and the Pacers in 2000, with each team defeating the other in the conference finals. Miller played the primary Garden foil in those days. Haliburton fully is leaning into that role now.
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Tyrese Haliburton cements himself as Knicks villain in one insane moment
Tyrese Haliburton embraced his role as the heel twice last year at MSG, both when the Pacers knocked out the Knicks in seven games in the second round of the playoffs and over the summer in a clash with Jalen Brunson at a WWE event. Haliburton's level of hatred from the Garden crowd doesn't yet match the wrath the New York fans felt for Indiana predecessor Reggie Miller back in the '90s, but it's getting closer with the Pacers providing some heartbreak for the Knicks in the playoffs for the second straight year beginning with Wednesday night furious comeback win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. 4 Tyrese Haliburton enacts the choke symbol after thinking he hit the game-winning shot in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, 2025. AP The two-time All-Star heard a few chants of 'overrated' from the New York crowd, but he nailed the game-tying shot with his foot on the 3-point arc at the regulation buzzer before the Pacers pulled out a 138-135 overtime victory. He even directed a Miller-esque choke sign at the Garden crowd when he thought he'd won the game before a replay review determined his foot was on the line. Haliburton added two more points in OT to finish with 31 points — 12 fewer than Brunson's 43 — while also recording 11 assists in Game 1. 'For sure, it's a lot of fun, man. I think last year the series was a lot of fun, back and forth, it felt like nobody could win two in a row until we were able to do it [in Games 6 & 7],' Haliburton said before the series started. 'Going into the series, I think that [the MSG fans] didnt like the [Pacers] organization, but I don't think there were certain guys that their fans didn't like. 'But now they don't really like us too much. So it's all fun with it, man., and like I said, excited to add more chapters to this storied rivalry and just continue to be a part of it.' Haliburton also joked that 'maybe it's a good thing that my dad won't be able to go,' after his father, John Haliburton, was banned by the Pacers from attending games for confronting Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court after the Indiana eliminated the Bucks in Game 5 of the first round. 4 Tyrese Haliburton drives to the basket against Karl-Anthony Towns. NBAE via Getty Images The two-time All-Star point guard averaged 21.3 points and 7.0 assists in the second-round series against the Knicks last season. The two guards are close after being teammates on Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in 2023, although only Haliburton was named to the U.S. Olympic team last summer. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. They also both participated in the WWE event at the Garden last June, with Brunson chasing Haliburton out of the ring with a folding chair. Haliburton repsonded, 'I'll be back' and 'you don't want to see me again.' 4 Pacers celebrate with Tyrese Haliburton at Madison Square Garden. Jason Szenes / New York Post Now, both Haliburton and Brunson are looking to help their respective teams end lengthy droughts without reaching the NBA Finals Haluburton only managed four points in the first quarter, but the Pacers nailed their first eight FG attempts and 10 of 11. He scored seven straight Indiana points at one point of the second, and 10 overall in the quarter, but the Knicks led 69-62 at the half. 4 Tyrese Haliburton led Pacers rally past the Knicks in Game 1. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect 'I think he's an offense unto himself,' Tom Thibodeau said before the game. 'When he gets into space, that's when he's problematic. So we've got to make sure he's seeing bodies.' Bridges got a piece of a Haliburton 3-point attempt early in the third and the Pacers' scoring leader later got razzed by the fans for chucking up an airball, but he netted nine in the quarter for a 90-87 Indiana hole entering the fourth.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Why Tyrese Haliburton is leaning into role as Knicks villain entering Eastern Conference finals
Tyrese Haliburton embraced his role as the heel twice last year at MSG, both when the Pacers knocked out the Knicks in seven games in the second round of the playoffs and over the summer in a clash with Jalen Brunson at a WWE event. Haliburton's level of hatred from the Garden crowd doesn't match the wrath the New York fans felt for Indiana predecessor Reggie Miller back in the '90s, but it should take another step forward with the Pacers facing the Knicks in the playoffs for the second straight year, beginning Wednesday night with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Advertisement 'For sure, it's a lot of fun, man. I think last year the series was a lot of fun, back and forth, it felt like nobody could win two in a row until we were able to do it [in Games 6 & 7],' Haliburton said earlier this week. 'Going into the series, I think that [the MSG fans] didn't like the [Pacers] organization, but I don't think there were certain guys that their fans didn't like. 4 Tyrese Haliburton is not beloved in New York. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Advertisement 'But now they don't really like us too much. So it's all fun with it, man, and like I said, excited to add more chapters to this storied rivalry and just continue to be a part of it. I look forward to playing in that building, and I look forward to the crowd environment. It's a good thing.' Haliburton also joked that 'maybe it's a good thing that my dad won't be able to go,' after his father, John Haliburton, was banned by the Pacers from attending games for confronting Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court after the Indiana eliminated the Bucks in Game 5 of the first round. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. The two-time All-Star point guard averaged 21.3 points and 7.0 assists in the second-round series against the Knicks, and he will renew his friendly rivalry with Brunson now for a chance to reach the NBA Finals. Advertisement The two guards are close after being teammates on Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in 2023, although only Haliburton was named to the U.S. Olympic team last summer. 4 Tyrese Haliburton shoots in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last year. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post They also both participated in the WWE event at the Garden last June, with Brunson chasing Haliburton out of the ring with a folding chair. Haliburton responded, 'I'll be back' and 'you don't want to see me again.' 'It was exciting, obviously you guys know I'm a diehard WWE fan,' Haliburton said. 'I'm still trying to get [former wrestler] Triple H to come to a game. I'm working on it. Yeah, it's pretty cool that happened [last] summer and here we are, so it's a pretty cool storyline. Advertisement 'I'm sure it goes along with everybody that thinks there's a script.' 4 Hailburton (l) and Brunson (r) in the ring. @WWE/YouTube Haliburton added that he has 'a really good relationship with WWE and Triple H,' so when they asked him to attend the event at the Garden he jumped at the chance. 'It was like, 'No question, I'll be there.' But I had no idea Jalen was going until I got there,' Haliburton said. 'They were like, 'Where's Jalen?' So I called Jalen and was like, 'Are you coming?' And he was like 'Yeah,' so I said, 'Oh, so we're really doing this, like, we're tying it all in.' 'I had no idea 'til we got there. I think he knew, but I had no idea. But, yeah, that was a pretty cool moment. Obviously it was a lifelong dream of mine to do anything with the WWE and to do it there, and to be booed and all that stuff was a lot of fun. A good time. Advertisement 'We had talked about it at the World Cup, so I always knew he was into it, so it was pretty cool that they were able to pull it off without any real leaks or anything.' 4 Tyrese Haliburton chirps at the fans during Game 7 last year. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Now, both Haliburton and Brunson will look to help their respective teams end lengthy droughts without reaching the NBA Finals. Advertisement The Knicks last went in 1999 and the Pacers in 2000, with each team defeating the other in the conference finals. Miller played the primary Garden foil in those days. Haliburton fully is leaning into that role now.
