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5 2023 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s No. 6 pick

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Gradey Dick (4) dribbles the ball against Howard Bison guard Elijah Hawkins (3) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Gradey Dick (4) dribbles the ball against Howard Bison guard Elijah Hawkins (3) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ausar Thompson
Dec 9, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; City Reapers guard Ausar Thompson (0) shown during the game against the Cold Hearts at Overtime Elite. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

5 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s 6th pick

Ausar Thompson, Overtime Elite

The great mystery in this year’s NBA Draft has to do with the two players likely to get picked fourth and fifth in the draft. Although their true value still seems completely unknown. That is all because it is seemingly impossible to know how to judge them against their competition.

Both Amen and Ausar Thompson played in Overtime Elite for the last two years. This was a league that amounted to a high school prep league with more bells and whistles. The players in the league are trained to be professionals and given additional schooling since they are not going to college. But this league is still relatively new and a complete experiment.

Nobody knows how either of these two players, the first high-profile prospects to come from the league, will translate to the NBA. So what do their stats even mean?

Ausar Thompson averaged 21.0 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per game in the playoffs, leading his team to the league’s championship alongside his brother. He had shooting splits in the playoffs of 44.7/38.5/82.4.

For the entire season though, Thompson averaged 16.3 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game and 6.1 assists per game with shooting splits of 48.1/29.8/66.2.

So what to make of all those stats then?

What everyone seems to believe about Thompson is that, like his brother although not to this level, he is an incredible athlete who can get to the basket and finish. While Amen Thompson took over the point guard duties, Ausar Thompson is also a quality playmaker who can make passes.

Ausar might project out as the better shooter for now. But both he and his brother are projects on that end.

Still, this is an upside play. It is clear how talented Ausar Thompson is. He could very well have star potential. And when a team is picking this high in the draft, they have to consider the upside play even if they have immediate goals they want to achieve.