I want to preface this by saying, I have ran track and competed in a myriad of sports my entire life. I trained to dunk a basketball and at my peak had about a 39-40 inch vertical. I have read countless books on anatomy and physiology and read studies on muscle fiber types, muscle and tendon insertion points, genetics in sports etc.
Ausar is on another level in terms of vertical leaping ability.
I can’t speak for his top running speed since he does not display it the same way Jaden Ivey does, but his jumping ability is next level.
In the NBA, there are guys who demonstrate elite jumping mechanics and explosive fast twitch muscle fiber composition. Guys like: Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Shaedon Sharpe, Jalen Green, Dennis Smith Jr, Zach Lavine before the knee problems etc. I’m sure you guys can think of some more as well.
When they jump, you can tell something is different. When I saw Ausar attempt that dunk after getting fouled in the Wizads game the other day I knew he was apart of that category and dare I say….might be at the top.
Since the beginning of the season, he has demonstrated that he is a tremendous athlete with a solid vertical. He has had some posterizing dunks and had some incredible rebounds. But that single dunk attempt was amazing. He took off like a rocket and floated through the air like a blimp. You could even hear a collective gasp by the audience.
Do you guys know the moment I am talking about? I have tried to find a clip or replay of it but I can’t anywhere.
Either way, the point is that the Pistons possess possibly the freakiest leaper in the NBA today.
With that said what’s crazy is Amen was considered the slightly more athletic and explosive prospect. I hope he gets a chance to play in Houston, a Thompson twin rivalry would be a ton of fun. Conversely if he doesn’t pan out I would give him a roster spot here just for the locker rooms presence and positive vibes of having them on the same team.