Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson has been medically cleared to play by the NBA’s fitness panel, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday morning.
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson has been sidelined since March after being diagnosed with a blood clot
Thompson, the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, has been sidelined since March by a blood clot issue and will now begin participating in full-contact practices for the first time in eight months.
The 6-foot-7 Thompson is preparing to make his season debut in the near future, per Charania. At 20 years and 269 days old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to put up at least five blocks in a league debut.
Both Thompson and Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko were diagnosed with blood clots over the past year. The young standouts have since received clearances from the league’s fitness-to-play panel.
Detroit Pistons G/F Ausar Thompson has been cleared to play by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel, sources told ESPN.
The 2023 No. 5 pick has been sidelined since March due to a blood clot issue and will now begin ramping up and preparing to make season debut in near future. pic.twitter.com/SVqJEoZrRS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 11, 2024
During his rookie 2023-24 season, Thompson averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 63 games (38 starts) for the Pistons. The California native also shot 48.3% from the floor, 18.6% from 3-point range, and 59.7% at the free throw line.
In Detroit’s 141-135 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 20, 2024, he recorded a career-high 22 points on 10-of-15 (66.7%) shooting from the field and two 3-pointers in 32 minutes off the bench.
Thompson became one of four Pistons rookies in franchise history to record 50 blocks and 50 steals
According to Basketball-Reference, Thompson was one of three rookies with 50 steals and 50 blocks in 2023-24, in addition to San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren.
Additionally, he became one of four rookies in Pistons history to record 50 blocks and 50 steals. The former Overtime Elite (OTE) star joined Andre Drummond, Grant Hill, and Terry Tyler.
Detroit is off to a 4-7 start this season under the new leadership of president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon. Former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff also replaced Monty Williams in the offseason.
The Pistons currently rank 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. Last season, Detroit finished 14-68 (.171) and clinched the franchise’s worst record in its 76-year history.
The 1979-80 Pistons went 16-66 (.195) and set the previous franchise record for the worst record. Detroit set the all-time NBA single-season record with 28 straight losses in December 2023.
The Pistons will now host the Miami Heat on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in their first game of the 2024 NBA Cup. That game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the FanDuel Sports Network.
