Amen Thompson has had a strong sophomore season. He is averaging 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 block per game while posting an impressive 21.8 points per game over his last five contests. Although his increased role is partially due to Jabari Smith Jr.’s injury, Amen has consistently made an impact throughout the year and has remained a prominent name in the Sixth Man of the Year race.

What makes Amen so special is his unique playstyle for a player of his size in today’s NBA. Typically, a 6’7” and slender wing is expected to be a three-and-D player who spaces the floor and plays defense. However, Amen defies that mold.

A light comparison could be made to Derrick Jones Jr. when he first entered the league—both are high-flyers who finish efficiently at the rim. From 2018 to 2022, Jones Jr. took roughly 30% of his shots from three to Amen’s 12%, but unlike Amen, he never developed strong on-ball skills or expanded his offensive repertoire. The key distinction is that while Derrick relied primarily on his athleticism, Amen possesses a far more versatile game, clearing Derrick in virtually every on-court and statistical category outside of three-point shooting.

The reason for this gap is that Amen is essentially a point forward, allowing him to comfortably handle the ball and create opportunities for himself and others. His ability to play with poise despite not being the team’s primary ball-handler or shot creator is uncommon.

Typically, players his height who excel with the ball in their hands are three-level scoring stars like Cade Cunningham and LaMelo Ball. Amen, however, thrives by leveraging his elite athleticism and feel for the game to make an impact without needing to be a primary scorer.

What truly elevates Amen’s game is his willingness to do the little things at an elite level—something that is evident not just on film but also in advanced metrics. For his position, he ranks in the 98th percentile in block percentage, 80th percentile in steal percentage, 98th percentile in offensive rebounding fg percentage, and 96th percentile in defensive rebounding fg percentage.

His impact on both the defensive end and the glass is undeniable, making him one of the most well-rounded non-shooters in the league today.

Amen’s emergence is proving that you don’t need to be an elite playmaker, shot creator, or three-point shooter to be a highly impactful player on a winning team. His blend of athleticism, ball-handling, and basketball IQ allows him to play a simple yet effective game—and he does so with a level of flair that separates him from other players with a similarly straightforward approach.

In many ways, Amen is pioneering a new archetype in the NBA: the high-impact utility player. While he isn’t the first of his kind, he is making it clear that players don’t have to be superstars or physical anomalies like Giannis Antetokounmpo to carve out a significant role and earn big contracts without a reliable three-point shot.

He plays alongside a former All-Star in Fred VanVleet, a soon-to-be All-Star in Alperen Şengün, and a scoring machine in Jalen Green—yet he continues to prove his value night in and night out. If that doesn’t solidify his importance, I don’t know what will.