Former Westbrook teammates agree — they’ve never seen an athlete in the NBA like Amen Thompson
From the moment they selected Amen Thompson with the fourth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets have been ecstatic about his potential.
Inside the organization, from the front office to the coaching staff, there’s been a consistent belief in Amen’s enormous upside, built on his rare combination of size, elite athleticism, defensive instincts, relentless work ethic and inner drive. Even before the draft, I felt confident they would have taken him ahead of Scoot Henderson — a controversial take at the time — and I said that was their view repeatedly. That’s how highly they regarded him.
Houston sees Amen not just as a key piece, but as a foundational cornerstone, the kind of player who could eventually become a top-10 talent in the league.
And it looks like Kevin Durant might be seeing some of the same things that has the Rockets so excited.
The future Hall of Famer raved about Thompson on Media Day, calling him a “do-everything, 6’7 athletic freak of nature” and that the league has never seen the type of athleticism that Amen has brought to the NBA.
Kevin Durant on Amen Thompson: "Amen being just a do-everything, 6'7 athletic just like a freak of nature. I don't think we've ever seen that type of athleticism, the way he uses his athleticism. I don't think we've seen that in our league. To be alongside that, I'm excited for."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) September 29, 2025
Keep in mind, this is a former teammate of Russell Westbrook’s, and he’s not the first one to say that very thing. Steven Adams said in January that Amen Thompson was “one of a kind” and that he’s never seen this type of athleticism before.
Steven Adams on Amen Thompson: "One of a kind, bro. I haven't played with anyone like this. His speed is unbelievable. His second jump, first jump, is so quick off the ground. I haven't seen that type of athleticism, to be honest."
Adams played with prime Russell Westbrook and…
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 6, 2025
Durant is now echoing the same sentiment, pointing out the second jump ability. On Thursday, Day 3 of Training Camp, KD elaborated to Chancellor Johnson on what he’s seeing out of Amen Thompson.
“I think he’s just unique,” said Durant. “It’s just different. The separation… his length, how he uses his second jump, off both feet, off one foot — it’s ridiculous. How he can go from taking a spin to just jumping off the ground so fast. His launch pad is just different. And it’s only going to get better.”
At Media Day, Kevin Durant said Amen Thompson was one of the best athletes the league has ever seen.
I asked him what makes him unique compared to others.
Watch KD light up describing just how different Amen is pic.twitter.com/C726hegXur
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) October 2, 2025
There’s no slight toward Russ here — this isn’t personal. The story is simply Amen. He continues to blow away his teammates with his growth, impact and outrageous athleticism. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan, no college background, and already an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection in just his second season, the 22-year-old is showing why Houston has every reason to be thrilled about his future.
The post Former Westbrook teammates agree — they’ve never seen an athlete in the NBA like Amen Thompson appeared first on ClutchFans.