TV analysts break down Detroit Pistons' NBA draft pick Ausar Thompson: 'Swiss Army knife'

The Detroit Pistons on Thursday selected Ausar Thompson with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. He and his brother, Amen Thompson, are the first siblings to be top-5 draft picks in the same year.

Here's what the TV analysts on the ESPN and ABC broadcasts had to say about the selection:

Jay Bilas, ESPN

"Ausar is an outstanding defender. He competes on the glass. We're talking about an elite NBA athlete again, not a great shooter, shoots about 30% from 3, although improved that towards the end of the season, but a really good cutter. Where I think he could stand out is he's a good passer, but his defensive ability. He's got the ability to be an elite defender."

Andraya Carter, ESPN

"When I watch Ausar Thompson, he's like a Swiss army knife to me. You can use him in so many situations and he has success. He's an athletic wing. When you talk about young talent being added to this Detroit Pistons team, he can get to the rim. He's more smooth in the way that he plays the game, not necessarily shifty, but the way that he moves, it's almost like he's water out there on the court, just fluid in the way he attacks. He's got great long strides; he can play with power. The defensive aspect though, is 110% my favorite part of his game."

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Stephen A. Smith, ABC

"That's important (Ausar's scoring ability) because the Detroit Pistons really really need that. Let's just call it what it is. Cade Cunningham only played in about 12 games this year. Obviously, he was injured, obviously Jaden Ivey balled, Jalen Duran's got a lot of promise as a big, played less than 25 minutes, still averaged eight and eight, look out for him in the future, but they definitely needed somebody else who was athletic, who was willing to play some defense, but could shoot, and they got that in this kid right here."

Kevin Negandhi, ABC

"One thing that's different between him and Amen. Ausar, more of a comfortable scorer, better shooter, naturally off the ball."

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons' NBA draft pick Ausar Thompson: Analysts' breakdown