As a 6-foot-7 all-around player with elite athleticism, Amen Thompson showed considerable potential on both ends of the floor during his 2023-24 rookie season with the Houston Rockets.
So, entering his sophomore campaign, is the 4th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft ready to make another leap forward?
Questioned on Wednesday Patriot Day Community EventHead coach Ime Udoka singled out Thompson when referring to players who looked physically different during the team’s unofficial offseason workouts.
In a later interview with reporters on the scene, Thompson said he felt stronger and faster than he did when he was a rookie. Among his comments:
I feel very different. I’m getting stronger, faster. I’ve improved a lot this summer and I feel like it’s showing on the pitch.
In a follow-up question, Thompson was asked if he literally grew up this offseason.
“People keep telling me that, so I hope so. I’m going to start saying I’m 7’4″,” Thompson replied with a smile.
The full interviews with Thompson and Udoka during the 9/11 event can be viewed below (thanks to Jackson Gatlin, YouTube locked on rockets).
More: Amen Thompson impressed by Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard, sees ‘Curry range’
This article was originally published on Rockets Wire: Rockets’ Amen Thompson feels stronger, faster heading into second season